A gardening expert has shared a simple method for growing strawberries from shop-bought fruit, claiming it could mean you never need to buy strawberry plants again. TikTok user Nature with Ifzaal, who has over 26,000 followers, demonstrated the technique in a video.
Ifzaal advises slicing the outer layer of a strawberry into thin strips and laying them on kitchen paper. After a few days of drying, the seeds can be rubbed off easily. He recommends collecting the tiny seeds on a white plate to keep track of them.
Next, sprinkle the seeds onto compost in a small container, such as the one the strawberries came in. Keep the soil moist with a spray bottle, and seedlings should appear. After a couple of months, they will be ready to plant outside.
While it may be too late for this year's harvest, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) suggests planting strawberries in August or September for a crop next year. They can be grown in beds, pots, growing bags, hanging baskets, or window boxes, in a sheltered, sunny spot.
The RHS advises using peat-free compost and spacing plants about 20cm apart. Regular watering is essential, but avoid wetting the crown or fruit to prevent fungal issues.
