Fertiliser for Strawberry Plants in NZ

Hello there! There’s nothing that signals the start of a New Zealand summer quite like biting into a ripe, juicy strawberry. I’ve grown countless rows of them in my time, and I’ve learned that getting a bumper crop of sweet, delicious fruit is all about a little bit of know-how and the right care.

Growing Guide - Steps to Growing Strawberries Successfully

The great thing about strawberries is that they're not difficult to grow, but they do have a few key requirements. They absolutely love a spot in full sun, as this is what gives them that incredible flavour. They also need plenty of room to breathe and free-draining soil, as they're prone to rot if their roots get waterlogged.   

Here in New Zealand, planting strawberries in the winter months gives them plenty of time to get established for a more abundant harvest come summer. I recommend planting about five plants for each person in your family to ensure you have enough for everyone.   

Preparation - For Garden Beds, Pots, or Grow Bags

Just like with any other crop, a great harvest starts with a great foundation. In garden beds, I recommend clearing the area of weeds and digging in a good amount of organic matter like compost or sheep pellets. If your soil is heavy or clay-based, planting them in raised mounds is a great way to improve drainage and air circulation around the plants.   

For those with limited space, strawberries are perfect for pots, troughs, or even hanging baskets. You can even get special strawberry grow bags. Whatever you use, make sure it has plenty of drainage.   

Planting - Into Garden Beds, Pots, or Grow Bags

The prime planting time for strawberries in New Zealand is from June through to November, but the earlier you plant, the more fruit you'll get.   

For garden beds:

• Create mounds about 10cm high.
• Dig in an application of a quality strawberry food into the soil.
• Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and plant them about 15cm apart on the top of the mounds.   
• Press the soil gently around the base of the plant and water well.   

For pots and containers:

• Partly fill your container with a high-quality strawberry mix.
• Position your plant in the centre and fill with mix up to 3cm from the top.
• Tap the container gently to settle the mix and water well.   

Liquid Fertiliser Nourishment - A Monthly Schedule for the NZ Growing Calendar

Once your plants are established, they'll need a regular supply of nutrients to produce all that fruit. Strawberries, like many other fruiting plants, require higher levels of Potassium to promote strong, healthy fruit and a low level of Nitrogen to avoid leafy growth at the expense of berries.   

My go-to solution for this is LiquidGold™ Dual-Mix Super Feed. It’s a powerful liquid feed that contains a generous amount of   

Potassium, along with a full spectrum of other essential macro and micro-nutrients. Its water-soluble formula is quickly absorbed by the plant’s roots and leaves, giving them the perfect boost for a plentiful harvest. I recommend feeding them every four weeks or so during the spring and summer, particularly once they start flowering.   

How to Use LiquidGold™ Dual-Mix Super Feed:

• Mix one sachet of LiquidGold™ Dual-Mix Super Feed (Parts A & B) into 10L of water.
• Pour the solution over the root zone of your plants, saturating the soil.   

FAQ: How to Grow Great Strawberries

What can I do to protect my strawberries from pests and diseases?

Birds love strawberries as much as we do, so put up some netting to protect your crop once they start fruiting. To prevent fungal diseases like grey mould, ensure your plants have good air circulation and avoid getting water on the foliage. Mulching with strawberry straw is a great way to keep the fruit off the soil and reduce weeds.   

Should I remove the runners?

Runners are off-shoots of the plant that can be rooted to grow new plants. While they can be left on a mature plant, I recommend removing them from younger plants to ensure they focus all their energy on producing fruit.   

"We've always believed that the best products are those that are tried and true, and that’s what LiquidGold™ is to us. It’s a complete, reliable feed that we’ve trusted for over 30 years to get the best from our plants." — Graeme Hill

Ready to enjoy a sweet harvest this summer? Get LiquidGold™ NZ strawberry fertiliser today and grow the most delicious strawberries you’ve ever tasted!