July 15, 2025, 2:28 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
No summer is complete without fresh, bright red strawberries! They taste best when homegrown. For a bountiful harvest, it’s important to water the plants regularly. myHOMEBOOK explains what to watch out for in this article.
Whether with cream or chocolate, in cakes, smoothies, or just plain – delicious strawberries sweeten every summer day. If you want to grow the fruits in your own garden or on the balcony, it’s important to take good care of the plants. “Strawberries need sun!” says Dr. Isabelle Van Groeningen from the Royal Garden Academy when asked by myHOMEBOOK. But water supply is also essential for a rich harvest.
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When should you water strawberries?
To harvest many strawberries, a sunny location is important. However, high sunlight exposure also means that watering evaporates faster. The timing is crucial to ensure the water actually reaches the roots of the strawberry plant.
“It’s important to ensure the plant is regularly and evenly supplied with water, preferably in the morning,” explains Van Groeningen. Besides early morning, late evening is also suitable for watering strawberries.
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How often should you water strawberries?
Not too much and not too little water is needed for strawberries to thrive. How often gardeners need to reach for the watering can depends on various factors. Van Groeningen explains: “How much water a plant needs depends on its size, whether it has been freshly planted or has a well-established root system with access to groundwater.” For potted plants, it also depends on the pot size and soil.
Climate and weather conditions are also crucial. During prolonged dry periods with lots of sun and dry air, strawberries need to be watered more frequently than during rain or on cool, damp days. “In Hamburg, where the climate is more maritime with higher humidity than Berlin’s continental climate, the same plant will use less water,” the expert clarifies.
What does this mean for your own plants? “Stick your finger in the soil to see if it’s moist or dry.” The finger test can help determine if strawberries need water. If the top two centimeters are dry, the plant should be watered. Generally, strawberries should be watered once or twice a day. While this is the standard, it’s better not to rely on it blindly. It’s always best for gardeners to check their plants using the finger test.
Also interesting: Should you wash strawberries with baking soda?
How do you water strawberries correctly?
The method is crucial when watering strawberries. The rule is: “Don’t water from above!” As the expert explains, this can reduce the risk of fungal diseases. It’s better to water the plants directly at the roots. If cultivating strawberries in a pot, it’s also important to integrate drainage. This can consist of stones or old clay shards. The pot or container should also have a hole for water to drain.