As a gardener, I’m always looking for ways to grow fresh fruits and veggies right at home. One of my favorite things to grow is big, juicy strawberries. There’s nothing like plucking ruby-red, sweet berries straight from the vine and popping them right into your mouth!
While strawberries traditionally grow best outdoors in garden beds, I’ve had great success cultivating them indoors too – specifically using my AeroGarden This hydroponic countertop system allows me to grow strawberries year-round with very little effort
If you also own an AeroGarden and want to try growing luscious homegrown strawberries, read on! I’ll walk you through exactly how to plant care for and harvest strawberries using this popular indoor gardening appliance.
Selecting the Right AeroGarden Model
AeroGardens come in a variety of sizes and models. When choosing one for growing strawberries, opt for a larger unit with more room to accommodate these spreading plants.
Good options include:
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AeroGarden Farm Plus – Offers 24″x20″ of growing space with room for 12 plants total. Comes with 2 grow lights.
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AeroGarden Bounty – Provides 17″x13″ of growing area that can fit 9 plants. Features 45w LED grow light panel.
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AeroGarden Harvest Elite Slim – More compact model but offers 20″x11″ of growing space for up to 6 plants.
I’ve had success using both the Farm Plus and Bounty models to cultivate strawberries. Just keep in mind strawberries tend to sprawl, so the more room the better!
Purchasing Strawberry Seed Kits
One major bonus of growing strawberries in an AeroGarden is that no guesswork is required. AeroGarden offers pre-seeded Grow Anything Seed Kits specifically for strawberries that take the guesswork out of planting.
These kits include:
- 6 pre-seeded grow sponges for easy planting
- Nutrient tabs designed for optimal strawberry growth
- Plant support attachments to train vines upward
- Full instructions for care
The seed kits are available on the AeroGarden website or Amazon for around $20. Be sure to choose the kit made for your specific AeroGarden model. This guarantees a fool-proof planting experience.
Getting the AeroGarden Ready for Planting
Before inserting the pre-seeded pods into your AeroGarden, take a few simple preparation steps:
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Thoroughly clean and disinfect the system following manufacturer guidelines. This prevents any mold or bacteria from harming young seedlings.
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Fill the reservoir with fresh water up to the “fill to here” line. I recommend using distilled water for best results with strawberries.
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Place the included grow sponges into their slots in the AeroGarden. Arrange them spaced evenly to allow room for growth.
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Insert the pre-seeded grow sponges from the kit, gently pressing each into place in a pod slot. The seed side goes face down.
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Add the required number of included nutrient tabs to the water, pushing them fully underwater.
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Keep the LED grow lights on 24 hours a day for optimal growth. Place the garden where it will receive additional ambient sunlight if possible.
That’s it! Now your AeroGarden is prepped and ready for those strawberry seeds to sprout.
Caring for Strawberry Seedlings
In 10-20 days after planting, you should notice the first sprouts emerging from the grow sponges.
Here are tips for ensuring your strawberry seedlings thrive:
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Maintain water levels in the reservoir, adding more when needed. The roots of young seedlings are shallow so consistent moisture is vital.
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Keep grow lights positioned just 1-2 inches above the seedlings. Raise them as plants grow taller. Proper light is crucial.
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Check pH and nutrient levels with included meters and adjust reservoir water as required. Strawberries like slightly acidic conditions.
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Prune off any moldy fruit or dying leaves immediately to prevent disease spread. Sterilize scissors between each cut.
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Stir the reservoir water weekly to aerate it and prevent any algae growth on the surface.
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Monitor seedlings closely and remove any that appear weak, moldy, or damping off. Promptly pluck weeds if they sprout.
Following the kit instructions and providing optimal light and hydration will give your strawberry seedlings the healthiest start possible!
Transplanting the Seedlings
After around 4-6 weeks of growth, strawberry seedlings will need to be transplanted from the starter sponges into the larger grow baskets intended for mature plants.
Here’s how to transplant successfully:
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Carefully squeeze sides and bottom of sponge to loosen, then gently remove seedling. Try to keep roots intact.
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Place seedling roots down into the center of the grow basket, then lightly add clay pebbles/grow media around the roots to stabilize.
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Plant seedlings at the same level they were growing in the sponge – don’t bury stems too deep.
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Snip off any weak or dying leaves after transplanting. This puts energy toward new growth.
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Discard the used sponges and thoroughly clean the system to remove any debris. Refill reservoir with fresh water and nutrients.
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Keep lights very close to freshly planted seedlings until they adjust to their new environment.
Go slowly when transplanting and handle seedlings by their leaves rather than stems to avoid damaging the fragile plants. Transplant shock may cause some slow growth at first but they will rebound quickly!
Ongoing Care of Strawberry Plants
Once established in their grow baskets, strawberry plants need attentive care:
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Maintain 12-16 hours of daily light from the LED grow lights. Supplement with sunlight if possible.
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Check pH and nutrient levels weekly, adjusting accordingly. Strawberries prefer a 5.5-6.5 pH range.
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Top off the water reservoir as needed, using distilled water for best results. Let it fully empty before refreshing.
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Install included vine supports and train vines to grow upward through the rings. This prevents tangled growth.
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Prune off all runners and flowers for the first 3 months. This allows the plants to focus energy on establishment.
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Watch for signs of pests like whiteflies, aphids, or spider mites. Treat organically if spotted.
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Avoid overcrowding. Transplant extra seedlings to their own baskets or remove weaker ones.
The effort of attentive care will pay off with a thriving indoor strawberry patch!
Encouraging Strawberry Flowers and Fruit
After 3-4 months of vegetative growth, your strawberries will be mature and ready to start flowering/fruiting!
To spur them on, try these tricks:
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Increase daily light exposure to 18 hours per day to mimic summer conditions.
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Eliminate any “blind” or malformed berries that won’t properly develop. Healthy plants focus energy on good fruit.
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Switch to a fruiting formula nutrient mix. The added potassium aids flowering and fruit formation.
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Gently shake flower clusters daily to promote pollination. Use a soft paintbrush to transfer pollen between blossoms.
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Maintain warm ambient temperatures around 75°F which strawberry plants thrive in.
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Avoid any drastic environmental changes like cold snaps or altered light levels that could shock plants.
With the right care and conditions, you’ll soon see lovely white blooms appear, followed by green nubs that mature into ripe, red berries!
Harvesting Homegrown Strawberries
Once fruits begin to plump up, keep a close eye on ripeness. Use these guidelines for picking strawberries at their peak:
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Harvest berries when 75-90% red. Any green tips will finish ripening after picking.
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Gently twist berries off their stems rather than pulling to avoid damaging plants.
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Pick berries every 2-3 days as they ripen to prevent overripening or mold growth.
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Handle berries with care to avoid bruising their delicate skin and flesh.
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Eat berries as soon as possible for best flavor. Or store in refrigerator for 5-7 days maximum.
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Remove and discard any spoiled, leaky, or moldy fruits promptly to prevent spread of disease.
Enjoying handfuls of fresh-from-the-vine homegrown strawberries is pure bliss! Their sweetness and flavor can’t be matched.
Troubleshooting Common Strawberry Problems
Even with the best care, issues can sometimes pop up while growing strawberries indoors:
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Mold growth – Caused by overly humid conditions. Improve air circulation and remove affected fruit immediately.
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Wilting/drooping leaves – Sign of underwatering. Check reservoir levels and moisten grow medium.
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Flowers/no fruit – Lack of pollination. Agitate flowers daily using a soft brush to transfer pollen.
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Small berries – Not enough light or nutrients. Increase daylight hours an
AeroGarden Strawberry Grow Success: Tips and Tricks, Lessons Learned
FAQ
Can strawberries be grown in an AeroGarden?
How long do strawberries take to grow hydroponically?
Hydroponic Strawberries
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Difficulty
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Light
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Time to Harvest
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Intermediate
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14-16 hours
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1-3 months
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Nutrient and Health Info – extremely rich in the antioxidant vitamin C, and oh so tasty!
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Can you grow strawberries with aeroponics?
Can you grow strawberries in Aerogarden?
The AeroGarden Bounty model is probably your best bet for growing strawberries. The AeroGarden Farm will accommodate berry plants, too, but its price and size might be prohibitive to some home gardeners. 5. Herbs Little else says convenience like having homegrown herbs at the ready when sauces and stews are bubbling on the stove!
How do you grow a strawberry plant?
Make sure to purchase them in 6-packs to get the most bang for your buck. Strawberries need full sun. They will survive in shade as a groundcover but berry production will be low. Plant the strawberry plants 6” apart and completely fill your designated area with the seedlings. You can plant in-ground or in a raised bed or a large container.
Can you grow strawberries in a hydroponic or aeroponic system?
Growing strawberries in hydroponic or aeroponic systems is totally fine and is a great use of your pod space. It is super easy to get started and I will walk you through every step to get your plant growing. Growing hydroponic strawberries is incredibly easy and rewarding.