Growing Strawberries in Australia

Australia's Favourite Berry

Strawberries are one of the most rewarding food crops for Australian home gardeners — they establish quickly, begin fruiting within months of planting, and the flavour of a sun-ripened homegrown strawberry is incomparably better than anything from a supermarket.

Varieties

Albion and Monterey are popular everbearing varieties that produce from spring through autumn. Sweetie and Marquise are popular season-long producers. Red Gauntlet is an older variety with outstanding flavour. Tioga and Torrey are reliable in Queensland.

Planting

Plant strawberry runners or crowns in early autumn (March–May in temperate climates) or late winter (August). Space plants 30–40cm apart. Plant so the crown is exactly at soil level — too deep invites crown rot; too shallow dries out.

Feeding and Fruiting

Strawberries are relatively light feeders. Apply a balanced fertiliser at planting and switch to a high-potassium formula when flowers appear to encourage sweet, large berries. Tuck straw mulch around plants when fruit begins to form to keep berries clean and prevent soil splash.