Fruit and vegetable patches come to life in gardens across the UK when summer arrives, and that includes juicy red fruits like tomatoes and strawberries. Both are best when plump and sweet, but strawberries come later in the season than tomatoes. But is it too late to grow strawberries at home?

Garden expert Samantha Richards, from Gazeboshop, told Express.co.uk that it is possible if gardeners fulfil a few fundamentals. She said that fruit plants grown from seeds are best planted out in mid-spring or in late summer to early autumn. "Planting at the end of the summer gives them longer to get established before fruiting, so they should produce a better crop of fruit." Fortunately for those who haven't started strawberry seeds, there's another way to secure summer strawberries in the garden.

Samantha explained: "Timing your strawberry planting really depends on the type of strawberries you’re purchasing.

"You can purchase pot-grown plants or bare-root young strawberries known as ‘runners’. The best time to plant runners is late summer to early autumn when the soil is still warm and plants can establish quickly."

One thing strawberries really dislike is cold, wet soil, so winter or early spring planting is "a big no-no," notes the gardening expert.

A worthwhile alternative, which you may see in nurseries at the moment, is cold-stored strawberry runners.

Samantha noted: "They are typically supplied from April to June and need to be planted promptly and watered during dry spells to guarantee a crop in their first summer."

Is it too late to plant strawberries outside?

May isn’t necessarily too late to plant strawberries. However, the results may not be the best.

If you have started your strawberries from seeds indoors earlier in the year, then you can plant them outdoors in May, but starting them directly in May will produce a weaker plant, said Samantha.

To secure an early harvest, it is recommended to pot the strawberries and bring them into the shelter of a greenhouse.

The gardening expert explained that "the warmth and protection of the greenhouse can bring on the fruits a few weeks sooner."

Ensure potted plants are healthy before choosing them and opt for everbearing or day-neutral varieties, which can produce fruit throughout the season.

The Royal Horticultural Society notes that everbearers produce small flushes of fruit over a long period, from early summer until the first autumn frosts.

Unlike larger summer-fruiting varieties, the fruits are smaller, and plants are less likely to produce runners, which can be divided into new standalone plants.

Where to plant strawberries in June

Gardening tools and supplies experts at Harrod Horticultural suggest  growing strawberries in "full sun, in fertile, well-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter".

They told Express.co.uk: "Raised beds, containers, or grow bags are excellent options if garden soil isn’t ideal."

If planting in late May (or early June), consider locations with some afternoon shade in hotter regions to protect young plants from heat stress."

Strawberries need six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily, which guarantees better-tasting strawberries. Samantha urged: "Water regularly, especially during dry weather, and aim your water at the base of the plant to prevent leaf mould or fruit rot."