Growing your own strawberries will pay many dividends. Even if you don't have space for a full strawberry patch, they are attractive plants when grown in containers and hanging baskets and will reward you with delicious fruit and the opportunity to make your own jam.

Where to grow

Strawberries can be grown in all soils from light sand to heavy clay. The perfect soil is well-drained and rich in humus. If strawberries are in waterlogged soil they can rot away. They like full sun, protected from the wind. If you are lucky enough to have space for a full strawberry bed, remember you will need to move it for crop rotation after a couple of years (see below)

If you don't have lots of space, you can grow your berries in a container. Go for a special strawberry container as these ensure the right drainage - as well as looking very attractive. Alternatively you can grow them in hanging baskets, which look good, keep the plants safe from slugs and avoid the need for straw on the ground (see below).

When to grow

Strawberry plants can be planted outside from late June until September. If you plant late, the flowers should be removed in the first year so the energy is used to develop a healthy plant for year two.

How to grow

1. Prepare the soil ready for planting, by digging it over well, making sure to get rid of any weeds and adding compost or manure.

2. If you want a whole strawberry plot you should plant in rows. Plant your strawberry plants about a foot apart (35cm) in each row, with about double that space between the rows.

3. Make sure the plant has its crown at soil level. Water each plant in well.

4. To keep the slugs at bay spread broken egg shells under each plant or use anti-slug pellets. The plant gets its name from the requirement to spread straw between the plants to suppress weeds and stop the fruit lying on the soil. If you can't get hold of straw, use bin-bags.

5. To keep birds and animals at bay it's a good idea to cover the bed with nets.

Your strawberry plants can keep producing fruit for 5-6 years, but the yields will drop dramatically after a couple of years and the plants can become vulnerable to pests and diseases. For this reason strawberry beds should usually be cleared out and new ones planted in a different area of the garden.

Clare Flynn is one of the four founders of Make it and Mend it Ltd

Make it and Mend it is all about making small changes to our lives that have a ripple effect and influence the world we live in. It doesn't happen overnight but adopting the Make it and Mend it philosophy makes a difference to your finances, your 'green credentials' and the way you feel. The Make it and Mend it website is full of ideas, advice, information and inspiration, whatever your interest: from cooking to gardening, cleaning, recycling, fashion, craft or DIY.

Make it and Mend it : because life's too good to throw away!

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