Strawberries are fun and delicious and so easy to grow as a houseplant, but if you want to get the maximum fruit yield out of them, it’s best that you do some research on growing strawberries in pots before planting anything indoors or outdoors.
These plants will give great rewards if you can take care of them properly, but doing that isn’t always easy.
If you want to learn how to plant and take care of strawberries in pots, keep reading!
Here, we are going to cover everything you need to know about growing strawberries in pots. Ready to take some notes? Let’s get started.
Growing Strawberries In Containers
Before you can plant your strawberries, you need to decide which strawberries you actually want to plant. There are many kinds available at nurseries and garden centers.
Each one has its own unique qualities and benefits, from taste to size. Some varieties have larger fruits, others smaller ones. Some types of strawberries will bear fruit at different times of the year, too.
For example, the ever-bearing strawberries will produce three bunches of flowers and fruit throughout the entire summer, spring, and fall, without needing any assistance.
Other types of strawberries, such as the “regular” berries, don’t produce their biggest loads of fruit until late spring.
This means they might start flowering by early April, then stop producing fruit until late August. Even after that time, you’ll still be able to enjoy them.
The only type of strawberry plant that is guaranteed to yield fruit all the way through the winter is the ever-bearing strawberry.
That’s because these particular plants will bloom continuously for over five months at a time. If you plan to buy a new strawberry plant today, look carefully at what kind of plant you’re buying.
Related: What Is Eating My Strawberries? The Culprits & How To Control Them!
What You Will Need
To plant strawberries, you will need a few basic things:
- Space
- Sunlight
- Potting soil
- Nutrients
- Water
- Fertilizer
- Lightsticks (if needed)
- Garden shovel
- Strawberry seedlings or crowns
Depending on where you live and what kind of growing conditions you’re used to, you may already have most of these things around the home.
However, there are two very important items that are probably not found at your local hardware store: potting soil and a container.
Potting soil is not dirt; instead, it’s basically lightweight gravel that comes in various textures and contains certain ingredients designed specifically to promote growth inside a container.
It also supports drainage in order to prevent your plants from getting overwatered.
A container is something that provides structure, gives your plants support, and allows air to circulate freely.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know, including how to choose an appropriate container, prepare your potting soil, plant your seeds, and nurture your strawberries once they’re established. The strawberry pot is an essential part of growing healthy strawberries.
Container Options
When picking a container, first consider whether you want to use plastic or wood as your main material. Both offer advantages and disadvantages.
One advantage of using plastic is that it is easy to clean up if you accidentally spill liquids inside. On the other hand, when plastic breaks down, it emits harmful chemicals into the environment.
Wood, on the other hand, decomposes over time, releasing fewer organic wastes than plastic does. Depending upon your preference, either option is viable.
The next factor to consider in your choice of container is the space you want to plant your strawberries in. In general, containers come in several sizes, but the best choices are relatively small.
They should measure roughly six inches deep x 18-24 inches wide. Larger spaces take longer to fill with water and nutrients, and the roots tend to spread out more easily.
Smaller areas enable the roots to stay close together, so your plants can get more nourishment and less competition for space.
If your area gets a lot of sun, you could place your container outside. As long as it receives enough sunlight, this will ensure your strawberries have access to enough energy to produce fruit each spring.
Once you’ve decided which size container is right for you, don’t hesitate to experiment.
Different varieties require different amounts of space, but remember that too much room between plants creates a lack of competition, which usually leads to healthier plants.
Step-By-Step Guide To Planting Strawberries In Pots
Before planting your seedlings into their new home, give the surface of your container a thorough cleaning.
Rake away any debris left from winter, and let the dirt dry slowly before filling the container with soil.
Make sure the top layer of soil has plenty of room for root development since it’s where most of your strawberry’s food comes from.
To plant your strawberries, follow these steps:
Add Potting Soil Into Container
Soil is good because it holds moisture while allowing it to evaporate at a controlled rate.
Some types of soils contain composted manure or peat moss extracts, which add beneficial nutrients and humic substances.
If you have a high-quality growing medium in your area, it may be worth considering purchasing some of it to supplement what you already own.
You may even find that adding your own mixture of sand, perlite, vermiculite, etc., is easier and cheaper than purchasing premade mixes.
Prepare Seeds By Cleaning Them Or Soaking
In order to plant your seeds, you must prepare them appropriately. Remove the protective covering of brown fuzz surrounding them, or soaking them to soften it.
You can also use seedlings, as these will save you time. You can buy them at various nurseries.
Place Seeds Into Containers
Next, you will need to place your strawberry seeds into the container with the potting mix. To do this, all you need to do is simply drop one seed onto the surface of the potting soil.
Make sure it lands directly atop the soil. If the seed doesn’t sink immediately, gently tap its bottom until it does.
If you have bought little seedlings that you would like to plant, you just need to remove the protective outer shell of leaves that they grew in.
Next, cut off about an inch or two of the stem to allow them to develop roots. Then plant the young seedling into the soil. Use your finger to push the first few layers of soil down around the seedling.
Related: Juicy Secrets: A Guide To Growing Strawberries In Pots
Water Seeds And Wait For Plants To Take Root
Next, gently water the seeds or seedlings. Initially, they will only need relatively small amounts of water to start growing.
After several days, you should notice that the seed or seedling is beginning to take on color. Be careful not to water your strawberries too much.
Protect Your Strawberry Plants From Insects
As it grows, you will need to protect your strawberry plant from things like insects. You can do this by spraying it regularly with insecticidal soap, or you could put up screens to keep out pests.
The latter option would be best if you have a lot of fruit or are growing multiple plants. You can use products like neem oil to deter insects, too.
Harvest Your Fruit
Eventually, you will be able to harvest fruit from your strawberry plant. Depending on the type of plant you chose, you can look out for its fruit at various times of the year.
You will need to be careful to keep animals and birds away from the fruit since it is a popular snack.
When picking your strawberries, make sure to leave plenty behind, so the plant can continue producing more fruit.
Do not over-harvest your plants. Be careful when picking – always check for signs of insects. Unfortunately, strawberries are often affected by insects if they are not cared for properly.
Caring For Strawberries In Pots
To care for your potted strawberries, you will need to pay attention to how they grow and how long you pick them. Here are some tips:
Look For Signs Of Mold
Mold is something you want to avoid getting on your fruit. It can cause the fruit to rot and spoil faster. You can tell whether your fruit has mold or not by looking closely.
As soon as you see any mold, throw away the entire batch of strawberries. You won’t know what mold looks like on fruits until they are ripe.
So, if you find any mold on your strawberry plants, wait until the berries ripen before harvesting.
Watering
Make sure to give your strawberries a good soak every time you water them.
Fertilize
Don’t fertilize your strawberries with chemical pesticides. Instead, use compost tea, which gives your strawberries a boost. Compost tea also helps to promote healthy growth.
Pick When They Are Ripe
You should be aware that different types of strawberries require varying levels of sunlight. Some varieties of strawberries grow better indoors than others. Choose the right variety for your conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Strawberry Plants Produce Fruit?
Generally speaking, strawberry plants will produce fruit for around 4-5 years. However, the amount of fruit produced will likely decrease after three years.
Are Strawberries Easy To Grow?
Yes! All you really need to grow strawberries in pots is a container, soil, fertilizer, and then plenty of sunshine. You don’t even necessarily need much of these things to get started.
The most you need is a potting mix that contains peat moss and other materials that help your plant thrive. The rest comes naturally – sun, water, and care for your plant.
How Long Does It Take For Strawberry Plants To Produce Fruit?
It generally takes around 3 months for the first harvest from your new strawberry plants. Then another 2-3 months till you see the next harvest.
How Big Are The Fruits Of Strawberry Plants?
The size of the fruits depends on the type of strawberry plant you choose. For example, bush strawberries tend to have smaller fruits while dwarf strawberries tend to have larger fruits.
In general terms, however small the fruits may seem, they are quite tasty and nutritious.
How Often Should I Water My Strawberry Plant?
While most plants will respond well to being watered about once per week, this depends on how well your plant is growing and how many hours of direct sunlight it receives.
Make sure you water thoroughly, though.
Final Thoughts
Strawberries are great plants when they are taken care of properly. Not only are they cute plants, but they will produce great fruit that you can enjoy.
Whether you want to grow strawberries for their fruit production or you just want more potted plants, there are lots of kinds of strawberries to pick from.
If you want to plant strawberries in pots, all you need to do is follow the simple instructions given above, and everything should go smoothly.
These plants are not particularly difficult to care for, so as long as you give them the nutrients they need and keep insects away, you will have a healthy plant for up to five years.
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The majority of people who have no interest in the subject, and aren’t green fingered assume that all plants and vegetables require the same growing conditions. This is not the case at all. Each plant has its own unique and interesting history and growing process.
I hope you will find The Natural List useful, and that it will help educate you on the wide variety of different flower and plant species there are across the globe.
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