Gardening Container Strawberries

When gardening, container strawberries offer fresh fruit for the home gardener with limited space. Growing strawberries is fairly easy if you know the basics of growing various berries.

Grow strawberries in most any type of container.

Strawberries naturally lend themselves to container gardening. There are even pots, called strawberry jars or pots, specially made for gardening container strawberries, although you don't need to use them. Strawberries can be grown in many different containers as long as a few basic conditions are met.

Strawberries need full sun, defined as six or more hours a day of direct sunlight. They're also heavy feeders, and require rich, well drained soil. Adding fertilizer such as compost adds nutrients and enhances soil. Be sure to water strawberries regularly too, for even growth and increased flowering, which leads to more delicious berries to pick later.

Plant at least a dozen for snacks.

Strawberries can be grown in a variety of containers, including:

• Strawberry jars or planters: You've probably seen these funny looking containers at your local garden center. They're typically made of terra cotta, and have many small pockets along the sides. You plant strawberries in the top and in the side pockets. These pots dramatically increase the number of plants you can fit into one pot.
• Window boxes: As long as the window box is at least six inches deep, you can grow strawberries in window boxes. Long, narrow planters are fine too.
• Hanging baskets: Yes, you can grow strawberries in hanging baskets! Use them as decorative accents and enjoy sweet berries, too.
• Pots: Any size pot will do. Large plastic pots or ceramic pots are fine. Be sure that there is at least six or more inches of soil for the plants and enough space for them to spread out.
• Recycled containers: Many gardeners recycle containers and gardening objects to create unique planters. Experiment with recycled buckets, plastic containers and other containers. Even an old wheelbarrow with a deep bucket can be used!

As you can see, strawberries aren't particularly fussy about their containers. As long as the container has a hole allowing excess water to drain away and plenty of room for soil so that the plants can spread out their roots, you can try virtually any container.

Gardening container strawberries in strawberry jars or planters is fun, yet many people are unsure of how to actually plant their strawberries in these fancy containers. Here are the simple steps to add your plants to strawberry jars.

You'll need:

• Strawberry jar or planter with multiple pockets
• Good-quality potting soil, such as Pro-Mix (available at home and garden centers)
• Compost
• Trowel
• Approximately a dozen strawberry plants or crowns. You will need three for the top section and one for each pocket, so count up the available space in your individual jar and estimate the number of crowns or plants based on the holes available.

Fill the container with a mixture of potting soil and compost. Place three crowns or plants in the top section and plant with the soil up to, but not covering, the crown. Place one plant in each pocket and add as much soil as you need to gently but firmly plant the strawberries in each pocket. Use only one plant per pocket, even if it looks like you can fit in a lot more. The plants will grow and fill up the space quickly. Use your fingers or hands to gently tamp or press the soil down around the roots. Water well and place the pot in a sunny location.

If you just want enough berries for snacking, one container of about a dozen or so plants will produce berries for sweet treats. If you plan to make jam, jelly or freeze the harvest, you'll want to grow at least 25 to 50 plants.

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