Tips for Growing Strawberries in Containers

Learn how to grow delicious strawberries in containers with this easy step-by-step guide. Perfect for small spaces and a fun gardening project for all skill levels.

Growing strawberries in pots is a great option for those with limited garden space. In this guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of growing strawberries in pots, hanging baskets, window boxes, and other containers, from selecting the right varieties to caring for your plants throughout the growing season.

Plucking a ripe, red strawberry to snack on as I walk around the garden is one of my favorite things to do. Growing a bountiful crop of homegrown strawberries in containers is so easy. With the right setup, tools, materials, and care, you can harvest basketfuls of berries on your deck, patio, or porch, no matter the space available.

Why Choose Container Gardening for Strawberries?

Container gardening offers numerous benefits for growing strawberries.

Easy access: With container-grown strawberries, you can enjoy fresh berries right outside your door, even if you don’t have room for a traditional garden plot. This convenience also means you can easily water your plants when needed, spot those ripe berries, and harvest them at their peak flavor.
Reduced susceptibility to pests and diseases: Keeping those delicious ripe berries away from slugs and snails is easier. Instead of lying on the dirt, the berries hang over the edges of the container keeping them clean and away from pests.
Control over soil conditions: Strawberries thrive in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH, and containers allow you to tailor the soil mix to meet these requirements precisely. You can also adjust the soil composition over time as needed, ensuring your plants have the ideal growing environment.
Versatility and mobility: Whether you’re renting a home, have limited outdoor space, or enjoy rearranging your garden layout, container-grown strawberries can adapt to your needs. You can move the containers to take advantage of sunlight, protect them from inclement weather, or simply change up your outdoor design.

In the following sections, we’ll delve deeper into the specifics of growing strawberries in containers, including selecting the right varieties, planting techniques, and ongoing care.

Ideal Strawberry Varieties for Container Growing

When it comes to selecting strawberry varieties for container gardening, there are several factors to consider, including their fruiting habits and growth characteristics. Let’s explore the different types of strawberries and some popular choices for container cultivation.

Ever-bearing Strawberries: These varieties produce multiple harvests throughout the growing season, making them well-suited for containers where space may be limited. Varieties include Ozark Beauty, Temptation, and Seascape.
Day Neutral Strawberries: Also known as perpetual strawberries, day-neutral strawberries produce fruit continuously throughout the growing season regardless of day length. These versatile strawberries are excellent choices for container gardening, offering a steady supply of berries without the need for specific day length conditions. Day-neutral varieties include Albion, Seascape, and Tristar.
June-bearing Strawberries: Known for their abundant single harvest typically in June (hence the name), these early summer varieties are favored for their large, flavorful berries. While they may not produce fruit continuously like ever-bearing varieties, their prolific yield during the peak season is ideal for preserving.
Alpine Strawberries: These small-fruited strawberries are renowned for their intense flavor and ornamental appeal. Alpine varieties, such as Mignonette or Yellow Wonder, are well-suited for container gardening due to their compact size and ability to thrive in various growing conditions.

While any variety will grow well in containers, I like to grow day neutral and ever-bearing varieties in containers because they produce fruit all summer long, making them ideal for snacking.

When buying strawberry plants, you will also be faced with choosing bare root or transplants. While more expensive, I suggest going with strawberry transplants. Planting bare root strawberry plants can be tricky. I have had much better luck starting from strawberry transplants purchased from our local garden center.

In the next section, we’ll discuss how to plant strawberries in containers to maximize their growth potential properly.

Selecting a Container

Growing strawberries in containers offers flexibility in terms of the types of containers you can use. From hanging baskets to window boxes and traditional pots, there are numerous options to suit your space and aesthetic preferences. Let’s explore the different container options and how to plant strawberries in them effectively.

Hanging Baskets: A hanging basket is an excellent container for growing strawberries, especially if you’re short on space. Choose baskets with sufficient depth, at least 6-8 inches, to accommodate the strawberry roots and provide good drainage to prevent waterlogging.
Window Boxes: Window boxes are ideal for balcony or windowsill gardens. Look for boxes that are at least 6-8 inches deep to provide ample room for root growth. Opt for window boxes with built-in drainage holes or add your own to ensure proper drainage.
Pots and Planters: Traditional pots and planters are versatile options for growing strawberries. Choose containers at least 6-12 inches deep with drainage holes in the bottom. Depending on your preference and climate conditions, you can use various materials, such as plastic, ceramic, or terracotta.
Stackable Planters: Stackable planters, also known as strawberry towers allow you to maximize vertical space while growing strawberries. These tiered systems typically feature multiple planting pockets stacked on top of each other, providing a compact yet productive growing solution.

Use a Good Quality Potting Mix

A good potting mix for growing strawberries in containers should be well-draining, nutrient-rich, and lightweight. Here’s a basic recipe for a potting mix suitable for strawberries:

Peat Moss or Coconut Coir: Provides moisture retention and aeration while maintaining good drainage.
Perlite or Vermiculite: Improves soil structure and drainage, preventing compaction and waterlogging.
Compost: Adds essential nutrients to the soil and improves soil fertility, promoting healthy plant growth and fruit production.
Granular Fertilizer: A balanced organic fertilizer formulated for fruit-bearing plants can be mixed into the potting mix to provide additional nutrients throughout the growing season.
Garden Lime (optional): Adjusts soil pH to slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0), which is ideal for strawberry plants.

Mix these components thoroughly to create a well-blended potting mix before planting your strawberry plants, or use a quality organic potting soil mix that includes these ingredients.

How to Plant Strawberries in Containers

Once you have your strawberry plants, potting mix, and containers, it is time to plant! Following these steps, you can successfully plant strawberry transplants into containers and set them on the path to a bountiful harvest.

Gather the following materials:

Strawberry Plants: Purchase healthy strawberry plants from a reputable nursery or garden center. Choose varieties that are suitable for container growing and consider factors such as fruiting habits, compact growth, and flavor preferences.
Containers: Choose pots, hanging baskets, window boxes, or other containers with sufficient depth and drainage holes. The size of the container will depend on the number of strawberry plants you intend to grow and the available space.
Soil Mix: Select a well-draining potting mix rich in organic matter. A combination of potting soil, compost, and perlite or vermiculite works well for container-grown strawberries. Avoid using heavy garden soil, as it can lead to poor drainage and root rot.
Fertilizer: Consider using a balanced organic fertilizer formulated for fruit-bearing plants to provide essential nutrients throughout the growing season. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application rates and frequency.
Watering Can or Hose: You’ll need a watering can or hose with a spray attachment to water your strawberry plants regularly, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Mulch: Applying mulch around the base of your strawberry plants can help conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulches such as straw or shredded leaves work well for strawberries.

Follow the steps outlined below:

Prepare the Container: Ensure your container has drainage holes in the bottom to prevent waterlogging. If necessary, drill extra holes in the bottom of the container to improve drainage.
Fill the Container: Fill the container with a good-quality soil mix. Mix in some compost or organic fertilizer to provide nutrients for the plants.
Moisten the Soil: Before planting, moisten the soil mix thoroughly with water. This will help create a hospitable environment for the strawberry transplants and promote root establishment.
Dig a Hole: Dig a small hole in the soil mix for each plant, making sure the hole is deep enough to accommodate the roots without burying the crown (where the stems emerge from the roots). Space the holes approximately 8-12 inches apart to allow for proper airflow and room for growth.
Plant the Strawberries: Carefully remove the strawberry transplants from their nursery pots, taking care not to disturb the roots too much. Gently place the plants into the prepared holes, spreading out the roots and ensuring the crown is level with the soil surface.
Backfill and Firm the Soil: Once the transplants are in place, carefully backfill the holes with soil mix, pressing down lightly to firm the soil around the roots.
Water Thoroughly: After planting, water the strawberry transplants thoroughly to settle the soil and provide moisture to the roots. Water until the excess moisture begins draining out of the container’s bottom.
Add Mulch: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the strawberry plants to help retain moisture.
Place in Sunlight: Position the container in a sunny location where the strawberry plants will receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
Monitor and Maintain: Regular watering is important to help the plants become established. Check the soil moisture levels and water as needed to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Caring for Strawberry Plants in Containers

Once you’ve planted your strawberry transplants in containers, here is how to provide the proper care for healthy growth and abundant fruit production. Here are the key aspects of caring for strawberry plants in containers:

Watering Requirements

Strawberry plants require consistent moisture to thrive, especially during the flowering and fruiting stages. Water the containers thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged.

While it’s essential to keep the soil consistently moist, be careful not to overwater the plants, as this can lead to root rot and other issues. Allow excess water to drain freely from the bottom of the container to prevent waterlogging.

Watering your strawberry plants in the morning allows any excess moisture to evaporate during the day, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Avoid watering in the evening, as damp conditions overnight can promote fungal growth.

Fertilization Schedule

After planting, lightly fertilize the strawberry plants with a balanced fertilizer to provide essential nutrients for root establishment and early growth. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application rates and frequency.

Throughout the growing season, continue to fertilize the plants every 4-6 weeks to support healthy growth and fruit production. Consider using a fertilizer specifically formulated for fruit-bearing plants, or incorporate organic options such as compost or fish emulsion.

Sunlight and Temperature Considerations

Ensure your container-grown strawberry plants receive full sun, ideally 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Position the containers in a sunny location, such as a south-facing patio or balcony, to maximize sunlight exposure.

Monitor temperature fluctuations, especially during hot summer months. Provide adequate ventilation and shade if necessary to prevent heat stress, and protect the plants from frost during cooler periods by bringing them indoors or covering them with a frost cloth.

Dealing with Pests and Diseases

Periodically inspect your container-grown strawberry plants for signs of pests such as aphids, spider mites, or slugs. Handpick larger pests or use organic pest control methods such as insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Monitor the plants for signs of common strawberry diseases such as powdery mildew or gray mold. Ensure good air circulation around the plants, avoid overhead watering, and promptly remove and dispose of any infected plant material to prevent the spread of disease.

Pruning Runners

As your strawberry plants grow, they may produce runners—long, trailing stems that emerge from the main plant. While runners can be left to form new plants, they can also divert energy away from fruit production. To maintain productivity, consider pruning excess runners by snipping them off at the base with clean scissors or pruners. These runners can then be replanted in containers or garden beds to propagate new strawberry plants for future crops.

By providing proper care and attention to your container-grown strawberry plants, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious berries throughout the growing season. The following section will discuss harvesting and enjoying your homegrown strawberries.

Harvesting and Enjoying Your Homegrown Strawberries

After patiently caring for your container-grown strawberry plants, the moment of harvest is a rewarding culmination of your efforts. Here’s how to identify ripe strawberries, harvest them properly, and savor the fruits of your labor:

Ripe strawberries will have vibrant, uniform red coloring throughout. Depending on the variety, some strawberries may have hints of pink or even white when fully ripe. Avoid strawberries with green or white patches, as they are likely underripe.

Gently squeeze the strawberries to assess their firmness. Ripe strawberries should yield slightly to pressure without feeling mushy or overly soft. They should also be plump and well-rounded, with no signs of shriveling.

Fully ripe strawberries will emit a sweet, fragrant aroma that is characteristic of ripe fruit. Bend down and take a whiff near the strawberry plants to gauge the fragrance. If the strawberries smell sweet and fruity, they’re likely ready for harvest.

To harvest strawberries, use a pair of scissors or pruners to snip the stems just above the berry, leaving the green cap attached. Avoid pulling or twisting the berries, as this can damage the plants and reduce future yields.

Handle the strawberries with care to avoid bruising or crushing them. Hold the stem between your fingers and carefully cut it with sharp, clean scissors or pruners.

Check your strawberry plants regularly during the peak harvesting season, typically in the morning when the berries are cool and firm. Harvest ripe berries as soon as they are ready to ensure maximum freshness and flavor.

Tips for Storing and Preserving Strawberries

After harvesting, refrigerate the strawberries promptly to preserve their freshness. Store them unwashed in a single layer on a paper towel-lined tray or container to prevent bruising and mold growth.

Just before using, rinse the strawberries under cold water and gently pat them dry with a paper towel. Avoid washing strawberries until you’re ready to eat or use them, as excess moisture can promote spoilage.

If you have an abundance of strawberries, consider freezing them for later use. Hull the strawberries and spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer the strawberries to a freezer bag or container for long-term storage.

By harvesting your homegrown strawberries at their peak ripeness and preserving them for later, you can enjoy the taste of summer long after the growing season has ended.

Overwintering Strawberry Containers

Strawberries are perennial plants, meaning they can survive through multiple growing seasons with proper care.

Before the first frost arrives, prepare your plants for overwintering by trimming back any dead foliage and removing debris from the containers. Then, move the containers to a sheltered location such as an unheated garage, basement, or shed.

During the winter months, water sparingly to prevent the soil from drying out completely, but avoid overwatering, as the plants are in a dormant state and won’t require as much moisture.

As temperatures begin to warm up in the spring, reintroduce your container-grown strawberry plants to outdoor conditions. Once the danger of frost has passed, move the containers back to their sunny growing location and resume regular watering and maintenance.

By overwintering your container-grown strawberry plants in a sheltered location, and providing them with the necessary protection and care, you can ensure they come back strong and ready to produce another bountiful harvest in the following year.

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Container gardening is a convenient and rewarding way to grow strawberries at home. With the right tips, you can embark on your container strawberry gardening journey. Start today and look forward to a season filled with the sweet taste of homegrown strawberries!