Strawberries and the Kratky Method
Kratky Strawberries: Growing Strawberries Without Soil
Kratky Strawberries is an independent guide to growing strawberries with the Kratky method of hydroponics: no soil, no pumps and no electricity. We grow them ourselves and share what works, for anyone who wants to try it.
Who We Are
Kratky Strawberries is a small, independent website about one subject: growing strawberries with the Kratky method. We are growers, not a store or a nursery, and we write about what we learn from our own containers.
The Kratky method is passive hydroponics. The plant sits in a net cup above a container of nutrient solution, and as the roots drink, the falling water level leaves an air gap that gives them oxygen. Nothing circulates and nothing plugs in.
What We Do
Practical Help for Kratky Strawberry Growers
Answer Common Questions
Light, containers, nutrient solution, pH, pollination and mold, answered in plain language on one page.
Publish Step-by-Step Guides
Setup, containers, nutrients, pH, lighting, pollination, varieties and troubleshooting, each covered in its own guide.
Who This Site Is For
Kratky Strawberries is for anyone who wants to grow strawberries with the Kratky method, whatever their starting point.
- First-time growers who want a simple project with no pumps or timers.
- People without a garden growing on a windowsill, balcony or countertop.
- Hydroponic hobbyists who already grow lettuce or herbs and want to add a fruiting crop.
- Families and teachers looking for a growing project to do with kids.
If your question is about strawberries and the Kratky method, this site is written for you.
Latest from Our Blog
Why Are My Hydroponic Strawberries Misshapen?
Misshapen strawberries are almost always the result of incomplete pollination. The berry only swells around seeds that were pollinated, so missed areas stay small and the fruit grows lopsided. How to Tell It Is Pollination The berry is lopsided, pinched at the tip or...
How Long Do Kratky Strawberries Take to Fruit?
From a bare-root plant, expect the first flowers in roughly two to three months and ripe fruit about four to six weeks after each flower opens. Plugs are quicker. Seed takes much longer. A Rough Timeline Weeks 1 to 2: a bare-root plant wakes up and puts out its first...
Can You Refill a Kratky Container? How to Top Up Without Drowning Roots
Yes. Strawberries live too long for a single fill, so topping up is part of growing them. The rule is to refill part way and never back to the brim. Why Lettuce Growers Say Never Refill The Kratky method was designed around quick crops that finish on one fill. For...
