May 21, 2025, 9:22 am | Read time: 3 minutes
No summer is complete without fresh, bright red strawberries! They taste best when homegrown. To ensure a bountiful harvest, it’s important to water the plants regularly. MyHOMEBOOK explains what to keep in mind in this article.
Whether with cream or chocolate, in cake, in smoothies, or simply on their own—delicious strawberries sweeten every summer day. If you want to grow the fruit 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. However, water supply is also essential for a bountiful harvest.
When is the Best Time for Watering Strawberries?
To harvest many strawberries, a sunny location is important. However, high sunlight exposure also means that watering evaporates more quickly. The timing is crucial to ensure the water actually reaches the roots of the strawberry plant.
“It’s important to ensure that the plant is regularly and evenly supplied with water, preferably in the morning,” explains Van Groeningen. Besides the early morning hours, late evening is also suitable for watering strawberries.
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 the 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 and see if it’s moist or dry.” Using the finger test, you can check if strawberries need water. If the top two centimeters are dry, you should water the plant. 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 better for gardeners to check on their plants using the finger test.
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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, watering from above can increase the risk of fungal diseases. It’s better to water the plants directly at the roots. If you’re growing 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 out.