Your grow guide

You've got this. Let's grow your strawberries.

Sweet little alpine strawberries, grown from seed on your windowsill. Four short steps, then we'll walk you through every stage.

Day counter

When did you plant?

We'll tell you what to expect each day, so you never wonder if it's working.

Watch: planting a windowsill kit, start to finish

Planting day

Plant in four steps

Timeline

What happens, week by week

Set your planting day above and we'll highlight where you are.

Day 1PlantSoak, fluff and fill. Sprinkle the seeds on top and press them in. That is it for today.
Weeks 1 to 4Quiet weeksNothing showing yet is normal. Keep it warm and bright, and mist to keep it moist.
Weeks 4 to 6First sproutsTiny seedlings appear. They may not all come up at once, so keep misting.
Second set of leavesStart feedingWater with balanced plant fertilizer mixed at half strength.
Days 100 to 120BerriesAlpine strawberry plants reach maturity in 100 to 120 days. Pick the berries as they ripen.
Where it's headed

Know your plants

Meet your strawberries

A grower holding her strawberry plant up to the window light — A warm, bright window

Alpine Strawberry

Fragaria vesca

Sprouts in: 4 to 6 weeks
Sow: On the surface
Sprouts best at: 70 to 75°F

Before you sow: Place strawberry seeds in a damp paper towel inside a resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate for 2-4 weeks. This process, called cold stratification, mimics the natural growing cycle and can help improve germination. Once complete, your seeds are ready to plant following your kit instructions.

Seed tip: The seeds are tiny. Open the packet over a white paper plate or paper towel.