How to Grow Strawberries on a Balcony So They Fruit Four Times a Year

Today I will show you how to unlock strawberry freedom and easily get strawberries to set fruit 4 times a year!

1. Choose the right varieties

Recommended everbearing varieties: everbearing cream strawberry, Monterey, San Andreas and other day-neutral short-day varieties, not limited by day length, and able to bloom and fruit multiple times at 12-28°C.

Pitfall warning:
Everbearing does not equal high yield in all seasons. In summer, when temperatures exceed 30°C, yields may drop by 30%, so cooling measures are needed;
In winter, when temperatures fall below 8°C, artificial insulation is needed, otherwise plants are prone to frost damage, which affects the fruiting rate.

2. Care methods

Temperature: Natural spring and autumn temperatures of 15-25°C are most suitable, with no special management needed; in summer, cool the plants by using shade netting + mist systems to keep the temperature within 30°C and avoid high temperatures causing flower bud abortion; in winter, insulation is essential for greenhouse growing! Use oil-fired hot air blowers and underfloor heating equipment to maintain room temperature at ≥15°C, and when watering, give priority to warm water at 15-20°C to prevent cold water from shocking the roots.

Light: Ensure 6-8 hours of light daily; on cloudy and rainy days or in winter, supplement light for 4-6 hours (full-spectrum LED lights are best); at noon in summer, use shade netting to block 50% of strong light to prevent leaf edge scorching and fruit sunburn.

Soil: Slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5) is most suitable; you can test it with pH test strips. For example, 4 parts leaf mold + 3 parts garden soil + 2 parts perlite + 1 part decomposed sheep manure is loose, airy and fertility-retentive.

Fertilizing: During the growing period, apply diluted cake fertilizer water once a month (mainly nitrogen fertilizer) to promote stem and leaf growth; in the critical period before flowering, spray 0.2% monopotassium phosphate 1-2 weeks in advance, once a week.

Watering: Water when dry and let dry between waterings; water in the morning and evening in summer, and once every 3-5 days in winter, avoiding waterlogging and root rot.

Pruning: Keep 6-8 healthy leaves per plant, promptly remove old leaves and diseased leaves to reduce nutrient consumption; thin out 20% of late and weak flower buds, giving priority to early flowers so the fruit is larger and sweeter; immediately cut off excess runners to prevent nutrients from being dispersed.

3. Notes

1. For potted strawberries, choose flower pots with a diameter of more than 20cm to ensure the roots can spread out;
2. Rotate the flower pot regularly so the plant receives even light and avoid "lopsided fruit";
3. After harvesting, fertilize promptly to build strength for the next round of fruiting!