Strawberries in pots are Growing is easy and fun. Any variety of strawberries can produce fruit if planted in a container. Perpetual-bearing strawberries and June-bearing strawberries are two different things. When strawberries ripen in June, they will make a single main crop in the early summer, typically lasting for two weeks.
Are you thinking of planting some strawberries in pots or other containers this gardening season? Strawberries can be grown in pots or other containers, but getting them to produce a large crop will require a little more talent than science. This page has the greatest advice for growing strawberries in pots!
1. Prepare the Plants
Plants can be started from bare-root crowns or transplants. You won’t be able to appreciate the rich, beautiful appearance of the potted plants until their bare root tips get large enough to start losing their leaves.
Since strawberries dislike being crowded, you should only plant three plants per square foot of soil. You can gauge how much space they’ll require by measuring the surface area of the container, as their roots are shallow.
2. Add Soil
Fill the container with soil. Strawberries in pots benefit greatly from a loamy, loose potting mix that drains fast but keeps moisture. Make sure the container you choose has a drainage hole in the bottom.
3. Plant the Strawberries
Strawberries should be planted with their crowns just barely above the ground. In the potting mix, please make a small mound and cover it with roots.
Next, thoroughly moisten the ground before adding potting mix to the roots to the crown. Add more potting mix as needed once the soil settles from irrigation, but don’t cover the crown with dirt.
4. Place the Container
Place the container in an area that receives eight to twelve hours of sunlight per day to guarantee an abundance of fruits and blossoms. To guarantee balanced growth of the plants inside, turn a container with a single source of sunlight every three to four days.
Verify that the plants are similarly safeguarded. Potted strawberries don’t keep pests away from them. Though your plants will still draw in rats, birds, and insects, keep them contained with fencing or netting.
5. Water the Plants
Water your strawberries twice a week, or anytime the ground feels dry, about one inch below the surface. The plants shouldn’t be submerged in water or wet soil. To create the ideal conditions for fruit formation, keep the soil just barely moist—not dry or waterlogged.
Dirt in containers dries up more quickly than dirt in the ground, generally speaking. Therefore, prolonged hot, dry conditions may require watering twice a day.
6. Feed Your Strawberries
Supplemental feeding is beneficial for most container plants. Every three to four weeks, fertilize your strawberries with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Since the plants will be developing perennating buds within the crown that will eventually become the flowers and fruit of the next year, be careful to administer a balanced fertilizer in the autumn as well.
7. Provide Winter Protection
Strawberries are more productive in the winter when they lie dormant. Nevertheless, in colder regions, the roots could freeze, and some pots might break if left outside in subfreezing temperatures.
You can store your containers in an unheated garage or under a deck for winter protection. Water the soil only when it becomes very dry. A different choice would be to leave the container in place and cover it with mulch.
Reasons to Grow Strawberries in Containers
There are a few main reasons strawberries make excellent container plants:
Space: Given their small size, strawberries are usually manageable in a few pots, especially for space-constrained gardeners.
Beauty: Not only do certain strawberry kinds have edible blossoms, but they also have beautiful flowers that resemble small wild roses.
Convenience: Strawberries are easy to pluck from pots you may place near your kitchen or outdoor seating area.
Pest, disease, and chemical control: Raising strawberry plants above ground can help reduce insect issues and diseases caused by bacteria and fungi. It’s also simpler to keep undesirable chemicals for your lawn and garden, including insecticides and herbicides, from getting to your plants.
Types of Containers for Growing Strawberries
Whether it’s a planter, hanging basket, or unique strawberry pot, a container with sufficient drainage is perfect for growing strawberries. Strawberries don’t need a particularly deep planter because of their tiny root balls. Containers as little as 8 inches deep and 10 to 12 inches in diameter can be used to grow them.
However, the smaller the container, the more often you will need to water it. When growing strawberries that ripen in June, raised beds with a wooden framework are better than pots.
Additionally, light-coloured and synthetic pots will keep the roots warmer than dark hues and naturally occurring materials like metal and clay that absorb heat. If you live in a hot area, choose light-coloured containers for strawberry plants because they don’t like it too hot.
When to Replace Strawberries in Pots
Perennial strawberries have a limited lifespan, even with optimal care. Your plants usually need to be replaced every three years or so when their productivity starts to diminish and they start to die.
But if you trim off the runners and arrange the strawberries in a different way inside the pot, you might develop new strawberry plants without doing anything.
FAQ
Do strawberries grow better in pots than in the ground?
When it comes to growing strawberries on the ground or in pots, there are advantages and disadvantages. If strawberry plants are put in the ground, they might live longer. However, planting them in pots allows you to have better control over drainage, soil quality, and weeds.
Is it possible to grow strawberries in pots indoors?
Strawberries can be grown inside if you use well-draining containers and potting mix. Plant them indoors and provide plenty of sunlight at any time of the year. The only real difference is that hand plant pollination might be required.
Is it possible to grow strawberries from seed in a pot?
Yes, without a doubt! As soon as the seeds sprout, plant them in pots. Recall that the minuscule yellow spots present on the strawberry’s exterior are not seeds.