Strawberry Care Calendar – Month by Month

Strawberries are among the most popular fruits grown in Polish gardens, valued both for their taste and their summery aroma. To enjoy beautiful, sweet fruit and healthy plants, it is worth planning garden work throughout the entire year. Below you will find a detailed guide – month by month – on what to do with strawberries, both in the ground and in balcony pots.

January – time for planning

Although the garden is still in its winter state in January, it is the perfect moment to plan your harvest for the coming season. You can consider whether you want to plant new varieties or seedlings of everbearing strawberries. It is also a good time to prepare gardening tools – sharpening pruning shears and getting protective garden fleece ready.

February – preparing the seedlings

In February, you can start preparing strawberry plants for planting out. If you keep the plants indoors or in a plastic tunnel, pay attention to the condition of the leaves and roots. Remove all dried leaves and check whether the seedlings are affected by fungal diseases. You can also begin planning the placement of new plants in the garden – remember to maintain proper spacing between plants to ensure good air circulation.

March – planting and soil preparation

March is the time to prepare the soil for strawberries. Beds should be cleared of last year’s plant remains and weeds, the soil loosened and enriched with compost. In the middle or towards the end of the month, you can begin planting new seedlings in the ground. Remember to water each plant thoroughly after planting and use mulch to protect the roots from spring frosts.

April – pruning and fertilising

In April, the first shoots and flowers begin to appear. This is the ideal time to trim old leaves, which may limit light access to young shoots. This month it is also worth starting fertilising the plants – preferably with natural compost or a mineral fertiliser low in nitrogen, to stimulate the development of flowers and fruit rather than excessive leaf growth.

May – flowering and pollination

May is the month of strawberry flowering, and the flowers require special attention. Make sure that pollinating insects have access to the beds – avoid using chemical plant protection products at this time. You can also gently remove excess flowers from everbearing plants to focus energy on the healthiest fruit. This is a month when observation is crucial – check regularly for leaf diseases or pests.

June – harvesting the first fruit

June is the time when the first strawberries begin to ripen. Harvest fruit daily, preferably in the morning when they are fresh and cool. Regular harvesting stimulates plants to produce more fruit. If you grow everbearing varieties, remember that some flowers will also appear in the following months.

July – care and protection

In July, the fruit ripens fully. This is the time to pay close attention to watering – strawberries do not tolerate drought, especially on hot days. You can also apply natural plant protection methods, such as sprays against aphids or slugs, if you notice their presence. It is still worth mulching the beds so that fruit does not touch the soil and does not develop mould.

August – summer pruning and preparation for autumn

August is a good time to remove faded flower stalks and old leaves, especially in everbearing varieties. This helps the plant conserve energy and prepare for the next season. You can also begin planning the planting of new seedlings in autumn.

September – planting autumn seedlings

September is the ideal month for planting new seedlings that will have time to establish themselves before winter. Make sure the seedlings have healthy roots and leaves. This is also the moment to fertilise with potassium and phosphorus, which will strengthen the plants before the dormant period.

October – protection against winter

In October, it is worth preparing plants for winter. You can cover them with garden fleece, straw or leaves to protect the roots from frost. This month marks the end of the harvest season for most varieties, so any remaining fruit should be picked and used in the kitchen or frozen.

November – cleaning and planning

November is a time for tidying up the garden. Remove plant debris and roll up the garden fleece if it is in good condition so it can be reused. It is also a good moment to plan the next season – review which varieties performed best and make notes in your gardening calendar.

December – rest and inspiration

December is a quiet time in the garden. During this period, you can plan purchases of new seedlings, find inspiration in gardening catalogues and magazines, and plan experiments for the next season. It is the perfect moment to read about new varieties and prepare your garden for the coming summer.

Summary

The strawberry work calendar shows that caring for these plants is a year-round process. From planning and preparing seedlings in winter, through planting, care and harvesting, to preparing plants for winter dormancy – each month has its tasks. Thanks to regular observation and small, consistent actions, you can enjoy healthy, sweet strawberries for many seasons, and home cultivation can become a true passion and source of satisfaction.