Do you also dream of growing strawberries in your garden?
If you’re new to gardening and don’t know what fruit to grow, I have a simple answer: strawberries!
There are many reasons behind this. First of all, you do not need a whole garden for it. You can grow it even in a small space. And yes, is there anyone who does not like strawberries? Growing strawberries is also very easy, provided you take care of a few things. Today we will tell you how to grow strawberries in a vertical tower.
Why vertical towers for growing strawberries?
Vertical towers are great for growing strawberries. Do you know why?
Strawberries love to spread. They send out runners that go into the ground and create new plants. But in vertical towers, they cannot spread.
- It makes it easier to protect against birds, insects, and other pests.
- You can rotate it so all the plants get sunlight.
- You can grow 42 plants in a small space.
🌱 Choosing Strawberry Plants
I have used Green stalk vertical planters in my garden. These vertical planters can be a great option for you, especially when space is limited. In these planters, I have used two types of planters:
- Original Planter (which is deeper).
- Leaf Planter (which is a little less deep).
Today, I'll show you how to grow strawberries in planters. I'll also explain which type of planter works best.
Shop now; vertical tower
🌞 What kind of strawberries to grow?
Before growing strawberries, you need to understand that there are many varieties. You can choose the variety according to your needs.
Three types of strawberries are predominant:
June Bearing:
They produce a large amount of fruit at once in June. If you want a lot of strawberries at one time, then this is the right choice for you.
Everbearing:
They continue to produce small amounts of fruit throughout the season. You won't get a large number of fruits, but you will receive fruit on a regular basis.
Day Neutral:
This is my favorite variety. It does not care about temperature or weather. It produces fruit in spring, summer, or even winter. It is a little more flexible than everbearing.
🌿 Soil Mix
When you are planning to grow strawberries in planters, soil choice is very important. I use my Pro-Mix potting mix because it is light and fluffy. It has no "moisture retention," which is beneficial for strawberries.
Also, I add some slow-release organic compost and worm castings. Both of these give strawberries the nutrition they need throughout the season.
Tip: Do not press the soil too much. This will prevent water and air from reaching the roots.
🍓 Bare Root Strawberries
This time I decided to grow bare-root strawberries. They are different from normal plants. You can buy them online.
How to plant bare-root strawberries?
Planting bare-root strawberries requires some care.
- Selection of soil: You need high-quality soil for the roots to take a good hold in the ground.
- Take care of the crown: The crown is the small part on top of strawberry roots. It should never be completely buried in the soil. Only bury half of the crown in the soil.
- Cut off the runners: When the plants grow, they start producing runners. Cut these off, as they waste energy.
It is also good to soak them in water for 4 to 6 hours. I soak them in Organic Rev, which helps to strengthen the roots of my plants.
Post-Growth Care
Remove Flowers:
Remove the flowers in the first 4 to 6 weeks. This will make the plant give its energy to the leaves, which will help in producing fruit later.
Water:
Water the strawberries at consistent intervals, but avoid excessive watering.
How to Pick Fruits?
When the fruits turn red, check them by applying gentle pressure. If they are soft, pick them. While picking the fruit, pick it along with the stalk.
This time I have tried ever-bearing strawberries. Two varieties in particular.
- EverSweet – it tolerates heat very well.
- Ozark Beauty – it bears a lot.
Now I will see in which planter these two grow better.
💧 Water and Sunlight Care
Strawberries need a lot of water, especially in the summer. I put my planters on a mover or ultimate spinner so I can move them into the shade if needed during the summer.
🌟 ConclusionNow everything is ready. I have planted strawberries in both the planters, and now I have to wait to see how they will bear fruit. I will tell you later which planter and which variety won.
If you love growing strawberries, try using a vertical tower at home. The beauty of fruits growing in such a small space will surprise you.
What are your thoughts? Have you ever grown strawberries in a vertical tower?
If yes, which variety do you like the most? Let us know in the comments.
