Strawberry Plants in Containers

Strawberries grow in both planters and hanging baskets.

Growing strawberries in containers allows you to enjoy the small fruits without dedicating a whole garden bed to production. Container-grown strawberries may not be as productive as garden bed plants, but you can improve production by caring for the container plants correctly. Plant day-neutral strawberry varieties in containers as these provide the maximum amount of fruit in a small garden area.

Container Planting

Larger containers hold more plants, so use a pot with a diameter of at least 18 inches for the strawberries. Fill the container two-thirds full with a moistened potting soil mixture. Containers must have at least one drainage hole in the bottom to prevent the soil from becoming too wet, which causes root or crown rot on the strawberries. Plant the strawberry plants 6 to 8 inches apart in the container then fill in around the roots with soil until the crowns sit just above the soil surface. Place containers in an area where the strawberries receive full sunlight.

Water

Strawberries are most productive when the soil remains evenly moist. Check the moisture in your strawberry planters daily during the summer months and water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Thorough watering ensures the moisture penetrates to the lower section of the planter where the roots are, so water until moisture drains from the bottom of the pot.

Nutrient Needs

Fertilizer helps provide nutrients to the plants so they remain lush and productive. Mix in a slow-release fertilizer before you plant, using the label recommended amount for the size of your container. Frequent watering flushes the nutrients from the soil, so use a soluble, balanced fertilizer monthly when the plants are growing in spring and summer.

Pruning

Strawberries reproduce by producing runners, which then root down and grow as new plants. There is no room in a container for runner growth so prune these long stems from the mother plants as they form. You can also root the runner into a new container if you prefer to expand your strawberry garden. Set a pot of soil next to the existing container and guide the runner over the soil in the new pot. Once the runner roots, cut it away from the mother plant.

Winter Care

Containers are more prone to winter damage since the soil sits above ground level and is fully exposed to the elements. Cover the soil surface in the pot with a straw mulch once the plants go dormant in late fall. Move the container to a protected area, such as an unheated garage or shed, to protect the strawberry plants from the cold. Strawberries require cold winter weather during dormancy to fruit the following summer, so do not bring the pots into a warm home.

References

• Oregon State Extension; Growing Strawberries in Your Home Garden; B.C. Strik; March 2008
• Virginia Cooperative Extension: The Young Virginia Gardener; Growing Fruit: Let's Grow Strawberries