Fun fact - June 25 is National Strawberry Parfait Day — the perfect excuse to celebrate one of the world’s most beloved fruits. Sweet, juicy, and packed with antioxidants, strawberries are a staple of summer. But, there’s something important we think you should know before layering them into your next parfait.
Strawberries have landed near the top of the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list for years. This is a list that ranks fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residues (spinach, strawberries, kale, grapes, and peaches are top of the list). The Department of Agriculture tests found that strawberries were the fresh produce item most likely to be contaminated with pesticide residues, even after they are picked, rinsed in the field, and washed before eating.
That’s why at Fork Farms, we’re proud to support a cleaner, smarter way to grow - hydroponics!
Clean, Fresh, and Grown Anywhere — Including Indoors
While strawberries are famous for their flavor and health benefits, they’re also one of the most popular fruits to grow hydroponically. Strawberry plants are relatively easy to care for, thrive in controlled environments, and grow beautifully in compact spaces.
In Flex Farms, strawberries grow without soil, using 95 percent less water and zero harmful chemicals. That means fresher berries, grown right where you are — whether it’s in a classroom, a cafeteria, or your own home. This is hyper-local and controlled growing. There are no unknowns, no pesticides, just fresh food jam-packed with nutrients. Plus, since the strawberries are grown on-site with hydroponics, they are the freshest they can be - there is no transportation or storage time, from harvest to plate in minutes!
Did we mention the taste? Many growers report that hydroponically-grown strawberries taste even better than those grown in soil, thanks to the nutrient-rich solution delivered directly to the roots. The ability to fine-tune nutrient delivery in hydroponics can enhance the plant’s ability to absorb essential minerals, potentially leading to higher nutrient concentration.
Best Strawberry Varieties for Hydroponic Systems
If you’re thinking about growing your own strawberries indoors, these day-neutral and ever-bearing varieties are great places to start:
- Albion – High yield, disease-resistant, and heat-tolerant. Day-neutral and easy to love.
- Fern – Compact and perfect for vertical systems, with great disease resistance.
- Quinault – Ever-bearing and known for sweet, soft fruit — ideal for home gardens.
- Seascape – A prolific variety that thrives in warmer environments.
- Yellow Wonder – A tropical twist with pineapple-like flavor and vibrant color.
Whether you’re a classroom teacher, community organizer, or curious home grower, growing strawberries hydroponically isn’t just rewarding, it’s empowering and 100% delicious.
Speaking of delicious, let’s get back to Strawberry Parfait Day and make this year a tasty and clean strawberry year. Here’s a recipe you can try out. By growing hydroponically, we can skip the pesticides, conserve resources, and deliver flavor that’s as good for our bodies as it is for the planet.
Ready to grow the best strawberries you’ve ever tasted? Let’s chat about bringing hydroponic strawberry production into your community or classroom.
