Exploring the Different Types of Strawberries

Understandably strawberries are one of the most popular fruits to grow from home, you really can't beat a home grown strawberry for their freshness and flavour. What might not be known by new gardeners is that there are actually loads of varieties to choose from.

Depending on whether you wish to sow from seed to enjoy the growing process from start to finish or prefer planting as bare rooted crowns in the cooler months Mr Fothergill's has you covered. In this article you will discover the perfect variety for your gardening needs.

For a comprehensive guide to growing strawberries, including how to grow them and when is the best time to plant and harvest, be sure to check out our how to grow strawberries guide after you discover the ideal strawberry varieties for you below.

Bred for Australian Gardens

Australian gardeners fear not! There are many strawberry varieties available on the market these days, bred specifically to thrive and set fruit in warmer conditions. Look into modern Australian-bred varieties including Redlands Joy, Ruby Gem, Melba and Sugarbaby, chosen for their excellent productivity in Aussie climates. 

Fruit for Small Spaces

Strawberries are excellent in pots and container gardens due to their compact nature. It is also convenient to keep plants in pots, away from sneaky pests such as snails and slugs. Try a variety that is virtually runner free such as Red and White Alpine strawberry for super compact plants that produce the most delicious small fruits. As a bonus the white fruiting alpine strawberries cleverly disguise themselves from birds that love to snatch the sweet berries before you can get to them! 

Disease Resistance

Sourcing your strawberry seeds and crowns from a reputable supplier is paramount to plant health. Mr Fothergill's strawberry crowns are produced in controlled conditions to ensure you aren't introducing unwanted pest and diseases into your home garden. Select Australian bred varieties in subtropical regions for their ability to cope with disease pressure such as mildew. In cooler climates why not try Red Gauntlet for excellent disease resistance and productivity. 

Do all strawberries taste the same?

Flavour is impacted by variety, growing conditions, ripeness, freshness and soil fertility. Unripe strawberries may be more sour while riper strawberries may be soft and very sweet. Certain varieties such as Tioga have a lower acid content making them a delicious choice to eat fresh from the garden.   

What’s the difference between growing strawberries from crowns and from seeds and what should I choose?

Strawberry crowns are supplied as bare rooted crowns. These are dormant sections taken from a parent plant which means genetically they are both the same. Crowns are planted directly into the garden or pots and spring back into life when the soil warms. Seeds on the other hand are produced from the ripe fruits of a parent strawberry plant and need to be sown and germinated before they grow out into seedlings. 

Crowns are often chosen for faster results as strawberry seeds can take some time to germinate, there is often a larger selection of variety in crowns too. Seeds however can be an economical way to grow many strawberry plants and are available from stores year round whereas crowns are only seasonal.

What should I do at planting time?

Locate an area in your garden or patio that receives plenty of sunlight to plant your strawberries. If sowing from seeds you can start them in small pots first. Improve your soil with plenty of compost and well rotted manure. This will not only provide nutrition to your plants but improve drainage too, preventing the plants from becoming waterlogged.

For more information and tips on how to grow your strawberries check out our growing guide here.