Strawberry Mignonette

40 Seeds

🌱 Best Sowing Time

For the Gulf region, sow from October to February, when temperatures are cooler.

• Kuwait: October–January
• UAE & Qatar: October–February
• Saudi Arabia & Bahrain: October–February
• Oman: October–February, depending on local temperatures

Avoid sowing during the extreme summer heat.

🌿 How to Sow

1. Fill a seed tray or small pots with a fine, fertile, well-draining seed-starting mix.
2. Moisten the growing medium before sowing.
3. Scatter the tiny seeds evenly over the surface.
4. Do not bury the seeds deeply. Press them gently into the soil.
5. Cover with a very thin layer of fine vermiculite or soil, approximately 1–2 mm maximum.
6. Keep the surface evenly moist using a fine mist.
7. A transparent cover can be used to maintain humidity, but provide ventilation.
8. Place the tray in a bright, cool location away from strong afternoon sunlight.

🌡️ Germination

• Ideal temperature: 15–22°C
• Germination time: Approximately 1–4 weeks, sometimes longer.
• Keep the seed surface moist but not saturated.
• Light is helpful, so avoid deep planting.
• Temperatures consistently above 25–28°C can reduce germination.

🌱 Seedling Care

• Provide bright light as soon as seedlings emerge.
• Give gentle morning sunlight once seedlings are established.
• Keep the growing medium lightly moist.
• Provide good airflow.
• Avoid overwatering.
• Thin crowded seedlings carefully.

🌿 Transplanting

Transplant once seedlings have developed several true leaves and are strong enough to handle.

• Spacing: Approximately 20–30 cm apart
• Container depth: At least 15–20 cm
• Keep the crown at soil level.
• Never bury the crown, as this can encourage rot.
• Transplant during the cooler part of the day.

☀️ Sunlight

Mignonette strawberries need plenty of light but require protection from Gulf heat.

• Provide full sun to bright partial sun during the cooler season.
• Morning sunlight is especially useful.
• Protect plants from intense afternoon sun.
• During hot periods, provide approximately 30–50% afternoon shade.
• Avoid placing containers on hot concrete or metal surfaces.

💧 Watering

• Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
• Water when the surface begins to dry.
• Increase watering during hot, dry weather.
• Avoid standing water around the roots.
• Water at the base whenever possible.
• Mulching can help retain moisture and keep the roots cooler.

🌱 Soil

Use a fertile, loose and well-draining soil mix.

A suitable container mix can contain:

• Quality potting soil or coco peat
• Well-aged compost
• Perlite or pumice
• A little coarse sand if additional drainage is required

A slightly acidic to neutral growing medium is suitable.

🌿 Fertilizing

• Start light feeding after the seedlings become established.
• Use a balanced fertilizer at a low rate.
• During flowering and fruit development, adequate potassium is beneficial.
• Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can produce excessive foliage and fewer fruits.

🍓 Fruiting

Mignonette is an alpine/woodland strawberry type that produces small, aromatic red strawberries.

The fruits are generally smaller than those of many large-fruited garden strawberries but can have a strong, sweet strawberry flavor.

In the Gulf, fruiting is most favorable during the cooler season. Excessive heat can reduce flowering, fruit set and fruit quality.

🔥 Gulf Climate Tips

• Cool-season cultivation is strongly recommended.
• Start seeds during the cooler months rather than summer.
• Protect young plants when temperatures rise above 30°C.
• Use afternoon shade during warm weather.
• Keep the root zone cool with mulch.
• Excellent drainage is essential, particularly in humid coastal areas.
• Containers make it easier to move plants to a cooler or shaded location.
• Avoid hot rooftops, concrete surfaces and heat-reflecting walls.
• Protect flowers and developing fruits from extreme heat.

🌱 Growing Tip: For the Gulf, sow Mignonette strawberry seeds during the cooler months, keep the seed surface moist and shallowly planted, provide bright morning light, and protect the plants from intense afternoon heat.