Potted strawberries are an ideal way to harvest the aromatic fruits on the balcony and terrace. All care tips can be found here.
On average, Germans eat 2.8 kilograms of strawberries every year. This means that the small, red berries, which can be harvested from early to late summer, are among the most popular in Germany. A large proportion of the strawberries sold in supermarkets come from imports. But freshly harvested - without long transport routes - the berries taste particularly good and aromatic.
Strawberries are quite undemanding plants that can be grown even with limited space. Although strawberries can be harvested well into late summer, depending on the variety, the garden strawberry season usually ends in June. If you still want to enjoy strawberries afterwards and don't want to switch to the offers in the supermarket, it is best to rely on everbearing berries. They can be easily grown in pots and window boxes. A generous stock of plants can be created even in a small space.
If potted strawberries are cared for properly, you can harvest the aromatic fruits well beyond June.
Everbearing strawberry varieties for the pot
For growing on the balcony and terrace, there are everbearing varieties:
- Camara
- Siskeep
- Cupido
- Pink Princess
- Viva Rosa
- Mara des Bois
Potted Strawberries - Benefits
The advantage of Potted Strawberries is the height that keeps the strawberries off the ground. This keeps the fruit nice and crunchy and allows them to ripen in peace. Furthermore, care and picking are much more convenient.
» Tip: When the big fruits doreach the ground because the pot is too small, covering the ground around the bucket with a bit of straw is enough.
Planting strawberries in pots in spring
Potted strawberries are best planted in spring. The soil in the tubs and pots should be mixed directly with organic fertilizer. The fertilizer is important to help the strawberries flower.
Even if strawberries are not very demanding, they need sun so that the aroma can develop optimally. Therefore, a sunny place should be sought on the balcony and terrace. A southern exposure is ideal. Plants grow fastest when there is enough sun.
In pots and tubs, berries can be harvested not just once from the plants, but for several years.
Strawberries in a pot - choose the right planter
It is particularly important to choose the right planter. The roots can only develop well if the tubs are big enough. If the roots have room to grow, you can count on rich yields.
Water the strawberries correctly in the pot
For a rich harvest, the strawberries should only be watered in the morning. Otherwise there is a risk of waterlogging and mold developing, especially in summer. Mold mainly spreads on the leaves of plants. When watering, you should also make sure that only the root balls get wet and not the leaves.
Fertilize strawberries in the pot
On the balcony, strawberries can also be planted with other berries. The mixture with gooseberries and raspberries is particularly suitable. Strawberries need fertilizing for a good harvest. Only in this way can sufficient nutrients be made available in the tubs and pots. Potted strawberries are best fertilized two to three times a year.
» Tip: It is best to use a special slow-release fertilizer for berries. The organic organic fertilizer is particularly recommended.
If the plants bear berries, they should be checked and harvested regularly. Fruit that is no longer of good quality is also removed to relieve the plants.
Pruning strawberries in late autumn
In order for the strawberry plants to bear fruit next year, they should be cut back significantly in late autumn. The buckets are then placed as close as possible to the wall of the house in a group so that they can overwinter without any problems. When cutting back, the foliage is removed from the plants firstremoved.
The strawberry foliage should be removed to avoid infecting the strawberry plants with disease. Both red spot and vitiligo can be a problem. Even if strawberry plants are quite resistant, they should be protected from severe frost.
It is therefore advisable to protect the buckets with jute fabric. Alternatively, you can switch to foliage. Both insulate the roots very well and avoid freezing. The tubs and plants can easily remain outdoors. However, it is important that they are protected from rain and wind as much as possible. You should also pay attention to a shady place.
By the way: The focus doesn't have to be just one strawberry variety. You can also combine different varieties.