Do It Yourself – Planting Strawberries In Containers

Container gardening is perhaps the easiest and most convenient method of gardening known to mankind. People who are unable to plant a traditional type of garden are still able to enjoy many varieties of fruits and vegetables by planting them in containers. Containers can be kept on a porch, balcony or patio. If you live in an apartment, they can even be kept inside.

Strawberries are a prime candidate for container gardening. Fresh strawberries are one of the greatest prizes to come from the garden. There is no comparison between a homegrown strawberry and one you drag home from the grocery store in a last ditch effort to pull together a summer dessert. Five to ten strawberry plants grown in a container will keep you from having to struggle through such nonsense.

Follow these simple steps to get started:

• Choose a container (or a few if you want to go all out) you like. Strawberry jars are available in terra cotta, ceramic and plastic. These are attractive planters with a number of pockets circling them in tiers. A strawberry jar is perfect if you want something that looks great. Otherwise you can use barrels, five gallon buckets and traditional oblong planters or relatively anything else you can dream up. Containers with reservoir trays are a good idea if you are planning to keep your strawberries inside.

• Determine which strawberry plants you want. There is no need to give this too much thought as any variety will be a delicious choice. By getting plants that are already somewhat established, you will save some time and be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor much sooner. You can often get these by browsing the classifieds in your local paper or online. Another option is to request some from the garden of a friend who has been successfully growing strawberries for at least a few good years. Established plants will generally bear fruit the first year while new plants may not. If you want to be sure to have berries to pick the entire summer, look for a variety from a group called “Everbearing” strawberries.

• Purchase organic soil and place an inch of it into the bottom of your planter then add a scant layer of small rocks or pea gravel to assist with drainage. Fill the container with more soil until there is only an inch or two of space left from the top.

• Dig small holes about three to four inches deep in the soil; they only need to be about an inch apart. If you are using a strawberry jar you will put one hole in each pocket. If you are using any other container you will need to space the holes apart evenly. For example, if you are using an oblong planter and want to plant five strawberry plants, make one row of holes. If you are planting a dozen then make two rows of six holes in the planter.
•
Add fertilizer according to package directions and then put in just enough water to dampen the soil.
•
Place the plants into the holes and cover the roots, leaving the leaves exposed. Water your newly planted strawberries a bit more.

If you are planting your strawberries to be kept inside, it will never hurt to put them out in the sun for a while on nice days. Make sure to keep your plants near a window for direct sunlight if you are unable to get them outside. Growing lamps will help with blooming if adequate sunlight is a problem.

Do not forget to keep your plants watered. If they are outside in extreme heat you may need to water them a couple of times in the same day. Watering in the morning and evening are best; try not to water during the heat of the day.