Strawberries

[brownthumb]

What's the best soil for growing strawberries?

[Luna]

I don't plant strawberries, but I talked to a local farmer who did. He said that strawberries thrive best in rich, medium loam with high humus content. You can add well-rotted leafmould or other decayed vegetables to soils that have deficient organic matter. Make sure that the site is well drained, and I believe he mentioned that strawberries should be planted on a raised bed.

If you have heavy clay or light, sandy soil to plant in they should be prepared well before planting time. You can also have your soil checked as if it has high lime content your strawberries won't grow.

[honeylemon]

Is loamy soil appropriate for any type of strawberry? My aunt will have those that are June bearing berries..

Is it true I shouldn't grow them in the same place each year?

[sakura]

I should think it's safe to plant them in the same place, as I guess that's what strawberry farms do for their crop. Maybe you could have two places for them them and alternate them every year.

Luna did mention that loamy soil is ok for strawberries.

[starcandy]

Yep, most strawberries like loamy soil with plenty of organic material they can consume. Best to ask your local nursery what's best for your local soil conditions as they may vary from location to location.

You can even plant strawberries in containers as well as keep them indoors! All they need is a good spot where they can get about 6-8 hours of sunlight each day. They can also be supplemented by artificial light.

[cosmic_girl]

I didn't realize that strawberries work well growing in containers as well as being planted in a garden. Would any of you recommend strawberries for anyone planning a small garden? I'm trying to make a garden in my balcony. I got ideas for a flower garden but I'm wondering if I should make a veggie/fruit garden instead.

[MasterComposter]

You can grow strawberries on a patio, if you have enough sun.

Check out this upside down strawberry growing container. It's like the Topsy Turvy tomato planter that you see on every TV station, except that it's designed for strawberries. Pretty cool.

And there's always the regular strawberry jar planter, if you want to grow right side up, on the ground.

[fleurdelys]

My question is, would strawberries grow well in warm, tropical climate? Or do they grow only in cooler climates?

[honeylemon]

Originally Posted by MasterComposter

Check out this upside down strawberry growing container. It's like the Topsy Turvy tomato planter that you see on every TV station, except that it's designed for strawberries. Pretty cool.

I like that Topsy Turvy Planter! Cool, isn't it? Now you can eat fresh picked strawberries straight from your own home. 10 Claps!

[gardengirl]

How To Grow Strawberries

Strawberries, a winter hardy perennial, are easy plants to grow. They love sunshine, and fertile, well-drained soil.

The Basics:

• A 3 year growing cycle: first year you get a small crop, second year a large crop, third year you need to replace the plants.
• Take runners from the first year plants so you always have a steady crop.
• Runners are the little tendrils that grow from each plant and will turn into a little plant. Once they have 3 or 4 healthy leaves, snip off the tendril (runner) and plant it in a pot with lots of compost. Keep well-watered.
• Just let these new, tiny plants produce leaves. Take off any flowers that might show up.
• These are your "maiden plants."
• Remove extra runners.
• Weed well.
• When watering, don't get the fruit wet (if there is any). They can get a disease called botrytis. Water near the crowns.

[gardengirl]

Strawberry Rows

When planting berry plants in rows, plant about 18" apart. Allow 6" of spacing for runners. Only allow a few per plant. Put the crowns above soil level. The upper roots should be about ¼ " below soil level. Apply plant food along each row. Water in the fertilizer. Apply a mulch or straw, sawdust, grass clippings. This prevents weeds and conserves moisture. Feed again mid-season.

[gardengirl]

Strawberry Pots

• Plant early, after the last frost.
• Plant in a terra cotta strawberry jar.
• Do you want ever-bearing or just June bearing?
• Fill the pot to the first pocket.
• Use a rich potting soil, high in sphagnum peat moss.
• Put a plant in first pocket. the leaves and most of the stem will hang out of the pocket.
• Add soil to next pocket. Repeat above.
• After all the pockets have been planted, fill jar with soil. Plant remaining plants in top.
• Water well. Water daily.
• Place in sunny location.
• Keep picking to get better yields.

[amber]

Is it difficult to start from seeds?

[Luna]

Anyone interested in growing strawberries in a jar?

[prezbird]

I am trying to grow strawberry in my potted container. Twice my plants browned at the leaf edges and slowly died. They had begun to grow about 6-7 fruits. The 3rd time i got a runner and planted that....Same thing happened. Now it's the end of july here in San Jose. I can't find strawberry plants in any garden store. What did i do wrong? Where can i get seeds to grow them from scratch?