Who doesn’t enjoy strawberries and cream in the summer? Or the 1001 other tasty desserts you can conjure up with this wonderful fruit. But no matter what you make with strawberries; jam, tarts, cupcakes – they will all taste that much better if the strawberries you use are ones you grew yourself.

Choosing the right type of strawberries

It is possible to grow any type of strawberry in a pot but they vary in terms of how often they produce fruit. Some will yield only once a year whereas others will produce fruit every few months.

June bearing strawberries are a popular choice and even though they produce only at the start of summer, you’ll typically get a very good crop. Day-neutral strawberries continue producing smaller crops between June and October whereas ever-bearing strawberries will give medium sized crops over the same season but need to be well protected in winter.

The best containers for growing strawberries in pots

It might seem as though any old container will do when growing strawberries in pots but it is important to think carefully about what you will use. One of the most important considerations is to make sure that your container has lots of decent-sized drainage holes. Without these, the soil will quickly become too wet and this will affect the health of the plants.

Moreover, the container material is important since a porous pot will cause the soil to dry out more quickly. Plastic pots allow for a better moisture balance. That said, you can grow strawberries in a bag, if you prefer this method.

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Proper strawberry planting

At the beginning of your strawberry growing journey, you will need to ensure that the plants are correctly planted in the soil if you want them to thrive. The best way to do this is to fill the container with your chosen compost leaving about an inch between the surface and the rim of the pot. Firm in the strawberry plants as well as several smaller pots in between.

These pots can then be filled with water which will slowly release over the course of time, avoiding drowning the plants. That said, in the beginning, you will want to give the roots a good dose of moisture.

Don’t overcrowd the pots

One of the biggest rookie mistakes that anyone can make when planting strawberries is to put too many plants per pot. This will prevent them from being able to thrive so it is vital that you don’t overcrowd them.

Let’s say you are using a 12-inch hanging basket, this would be able to comfortably house two strawberry plants. However, if you are using a smaller, stackable basket, then you would only want to place one plant per tier. .

Strawberries growing in pots need the light

Strawberries require very specific care in terms of placement and what is in the pot with them. They will need to be positioned in full sunlight which can be easily achieved by popping them on a sunny terrace or patio. This is especially important for young plants as it will help them to fully swell and grow.

However, these young plants will need to be kept free from compost which can be done by placing straw or wood chips under the fruit to act as a barrier.

How to water strawberry plants

When it comes to watering your strawberries growing in pots, you will need to be willing to have a strict schedule. These plants do require regular watering and this is especially true when they are beginning to bear fruit. This will ensure that the berries are of the best quality. However, you should avoid over watering.

To determine whether they need a drink, just pop your finger into the soil; if it is dry down to an inch, then give it a top up.

Protect your plants

Strawberries are not always prone to being attacked by pests and animals but it is possible, which means that you will need to offer a good degree of protection. Birds can be a serious problem but some simple bird netting over the plant will deter them.

You will also need to protect your strawberry plants when winter comes around. The best way to do this is to move them into an unheated room such as a garage or outbuilding. Be sure to stay on top of watering the plants. Alternatively, you can pop them into the ground with plenty of mulch for added protection.

Check out our great range of fruit bushes and trees we have available in the nursery right now. There’s something for everyone and our expert team will ensure your plants reach you in perfect condition all ready for planting.