Strawberry Kit Instructions

Planting Directions for the Jiffy Pellets:

• Refer to Individual Seed Instructions (below) for specific seed requirements.
• Expand the pellets by adding 1 1/4 quarts of warm water to the base tray. Pour off excess water when pellets are fully expanded…about 1 ½” tall and dark brown. Add extra water if needed.
• Expanded pellets should be moist, but not soggy.
• Gently pull back netting on top of pellets. Fluff and level surface peat. Sow 2 or 3 seeds per pellet. Cover lightly with peat. Place dome on tray and keep in a warm location away from direct sunlight.
• When first seeds sprout, prop dome open. When all seeds have sprouted, remove dome and place in a sunny location. After first true leaves appear, snip back all shoots except strongest seedling in each pellet.
• Add water to tray when pellets turn light brown. Do not over water. It is important not to leave the plants in the jiffy pellets too long. (They need the nutrients of the soil.)
• To harden off plants, place in shade outside for several days (bring plants in at night). Gradually expose to full sunlight. If you are going to transfer the plants to inside containers, this step is not necessary. (Transfer when plant is about 2 inches tall.)
• To transplant, dig holes deep enough to cover top of pellets. Gently firm the soil around the pellet. Water.

Planting Strawberries

Everbearing Sweetheart-type produces tasty, 2 inch, deep red fruit. Runnerless and compact: good for baskets and planters.

• Plant: Plant 2 or 3 seeds per pellet in moist but not soggy soil. Fluff the soil so that the soil lightly covers the strawberry seeds. Use care with the seeds as they are very small. You might wish to use a damp q-tip to pick up the seeds and move them to the pellets. Use of a magnifying glass may be helpful.
• Germination: Sprouts in 10 to 14 days. Not all seeds will germinate. By planting 20 pellets with 3 seeds the goal is to have at least 10 healthy seedlings for transplanting into the Mini Garden Stacker. By planting 2 to 3 seeds per pellet, and double the number of pellets needed you are likely to have more than ten healthy seedlings. It is okay to put two seedlings per section of the Mini Garden Stacker, if you have extras.
• Transplant: Plant one or two seedlings in each section of the Mini Garden Stacker 4 to 6 weeks after seeds are planted. The middle of the top level is usable to plant. If you transplant two seedlings, space evenly. Plant in rich soil enhanced by compost or manure if possible and fertilize as needed.
• Soil and Light: Strawberries like moist but not soggy soil and plenty of sunlight. For indoor gardening place near a sunny window. Rotate the planter occasionally so all plants get maximum light.
• Maturation: Should bear fruit in the first season several months after planting.
• Indoor Gardening: If your strawberries are to be grown exclusively indoors, you will have to pollinate by hand. When the flowers appear to be plentiful and mature lightly rub the pollen bearing areas of each flower with a small artist paintbrush or q-tip. Make two passes so that you have pollinated each flower twice around, to insure proper pollination.