Do you have any information on growing in containers? In particular in zones 5-7 and it has to be organic and sustainable gardening. Thanks!

Answer #4 · Gardenality.com's Answer · For starters, you'll need to pick containers to grow them in. Strawberries are a shallow-rooted plant so require a wider than deeper container: 14 inches or more in diameter with at least a 6 inch depth. The container needs to have drainage holes in the bottom or sides. Hanging baskets work well too. A lighter color container works best to keep the roots cooler in summer. Strawberry jars (with the side pockets, are okay, but more difficult to keep an even soil moisture throughout. When growing strawberries, and just about any other plant, in containers moisture control will always be an important factor. Strawberries like moisture but not wet and soggy soil.

For soil in the container, I would use a mix including 25% organic compost, 25% sand, and 50% organic potting mix.

When planting bare root plants in a container make sure the roots are spread out evenly. Its best to make a mound of soil in the container to spread the roots over. Then, hold the plant and cover the roots with soil making sure the crown is slightly above the soil surface. Then water thoroughly but gently. Plant 3 to 4 plants in a 14 inch wide container..or 3 plants per square foot of soil surface.

Fertilize with an organic all purpose plant food during the first phase of growth and an organic flower fertilizer when flowering starts.

Mulching will keep the roots warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It will prevent the soil from drying out quickly during the summer. Mulching will also prevent the fruit from laying on and coming into contact directly with the soil. Pine straw, hay or wheat straw works best as a mulch. To avoid rot, if the plants will receive water from rainfall, move the mulch away from the crowns of the plants in spring and during long periods of wet weather.

Place containers in as much sun as possible. They need at least 6 hours of sun.

After planting, and depending on the variety, it's sometimes best to pinch off the first flush of flowers or runners to allow the new plants to root in well before producing fruit. After the fruiting season, June bearing strawberries will require dividing and respacing. Everbearing and Day Neutral strawberries will not require dividing.

You'll want to harvest strawberries as soon as the ripen.

I would recommend applying a couple inches of mulch and bringing the containers indoors in a cool dry place for winter.

Hope this info is helpful and let me know if you have any other questions.

Brent)

Answer #3 · Clarine Lee's Answer · I would like to know if you have any tips on bare-root strawberries. In particular, how to plant them, maintenance, potential problems, etc. Thanks again!)

Answer #2 · Clarine Lee's Answer · Thank you for your response Brent. In particular, I am looking for information on BARE-ROOT STRAWBERRIES. Do you have any info on that?

Thanks again!
Clarine)

Answer #1 · Gardenality.com's Answer · Hi Clarine - By no means am I an expert at growing strawberries. I'm growing them this spring for the first time, and doing so organically. I built a raised bed to grow them in that is a bout 6" high. In the bed, I mixed organic potting soil with some clean native topsoil at a 50/50 ratio, and also added in about a quarter-inch of mushroom compost to the bed to provide organic matter.

If you want to grow them organically in containers, I know you'll need to use an organic potting soil and maybe add in some sand to ensure good drainage. Make sure the pots or whatever container you use has sufficient drainage holes. You'll also need to purchase organically grown plants. The folks at Mountain Valley Growers grow organic strawberries and they also provide a some helpful information and tips on growing them. Here's a link to their website:

http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/fragariastrawberries.htm

Hope this info was helpful,
Brent)