I originally had my strawberry plants in containers, but some have escaped and are now growing in the ground. I let them be and I see big flowers and fruit forming, got to eat a couple already. These will pick up speed in fruiting by June, and then stop for the rest of the year. Honestly this way of growing is not ideal. Each strawberry plant needs space, and the containers they are in are too small.
A few options exist for growing them better. You can lay down thick tarp over dirt, cut small holes in it and let single plants grow through. Or you can build a vertical garden so each has their own space. Otherwise if too crowded they will make puny fruit.
Growing them on the ground is not ideal as well because of ants and other critters that find the ripe ones before I do.
Sometimes what looks ripe is eaten on the other side so we must toss them out. The ants will eat into a hole, then climb inside and eat their way through the berry, most of what we harvest must be thrown away because of this.
Even though their growing conditions not ideal, I think they will get big enough to eat.
Next time I buy strawberry plants I will probably get the everbearing variety. Instead of the June bearing type I have now. That way I get more fruit throughout the year.
The plants that escaped their containers seem to be growing big and happy, I will just leave them be.
Flowers are a sign the fruit should be forming soon, if they get pollenated they will indeed fruit and make tasty strawberries to eat.
Sometimes you got to just dig inside and find them, sometimes you are not alone as ants and other insects hang out in the thick growth of the strawberries. Nothing has ever bit me, but sometimes I need to dust off an ant.
Glad to see they handle containers okay, as something temporary it works. But in the end they need a lot more space.
I bought mine from Stark Bros online, they sell lots of good fruit, nut and other crop plants. I intend to buy from them again as I have had nothing but good experiences from them.