Strawberry Growing Tips in Pots

When you want to grow strawberries, there are a few tips you should follow to make sure the plants thrive. Water, fertilize, and protect your plant from pests are some of the most important things to remember. You should also check on the plants to make sure they don’t develop powdery mildew.

Watering

When you grow strawberries in pots, you need to know how to water them properly. This will help prevent fungal and bacterial diseases. It will also ensure that your strawberries have the chance to produce the fruits you expect them to.

The best way to water your strawberry in pots is to use a drip irrigation system. Water the plants daily during the warm months, and a couple of times a day during the dry seasons.

To achieve the best results, try using a loose organic potting mix. For this, you should add equal parts of potting soil and coconut coir. Use your finger to test the moisture level in the soil. You should feel a slightly damp soil.

Using mulch can also improve moisture retention. Place a thin layer of straw or sawdust on the surface of the pot to protect the root system.

Fertilizing

If you have potted strawberries, you’ll need to give them some special attention. They’ll need a little extra care in order to produce the best possible fruit. It’s important to know what fertilizer to use for them and how often to apply it.

The best way to fertilize strawberries in a pot is to use a liquid fertilizer. This type of fertilizer is easy for the roots to absorb. You can apply it every week or two during the growing season.

Alternatively, you can apply a well-rotted manure. This type of fertilizer is the most common, and is a good way to add nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil. However, too much of this type of manure can encourage diseases or pests.

Another method of fertilizing strawberries in a pot is to apply a high-potassium liquid fertilizer. You should also fertilize your plants during the winter.

Preventing powdery mildew

If you are growing strawberries in pots, then you may have problems with powdery mildew. This disease is caused by fungi that can infect plants. It causes leaves to turn gray or brown. The infection can also spread to other plants.

One way to prevent powdery mildew is by using organic fungicides. These products contain sulfur as an active ingredient. They can be applied once a week for three or four weeks.

Some commercial fungicides are also effective. These include copper and sulfur. However, these products should be used according to the instructions.

Among other remedies, baking soda can be used. When mixed with water, it can be used as a spray. Mixing it with a teaspoon of liquid soap can also help. As a precaution, though, be sure to keep the plants out of direct sunlight.

Protecting the fruits from slugs

Slugs can destroy a strawberry crop. If you want to keep your strawberries ripe and healthy, it’s important to prevent slug infestations. Luckily, there are many ways to get rid of slugs from your garden.

First, there are several products available on the market that can kill slugs, and most of them are safe for pets and beneficial insects. Alternatively, you can go organic and use natural methods to control slugs.

One method is to use a product called diatomaceous earth. This is a mineral that is comprised of fossils of single celled organisms. When slugs crawl into the mineral, it dehydrates them.

The same technique can be used to protect your strawberry plants from slugs. You can spread a 3 to 4 inch wide circle of diatomaceous earth around your plant.

Protecting the fruits from animal critters

If you’re thinking of growing strawberries in pots, you’ll want to take precautions against the numerous critters that could destroy your crop. Among the most common pests are slugs, insects, earwigs, and birds. You can use some organic methods to help control these pests.

One way to protect your strawberry plants is to enclose them in a netting box. This is especially helpful if you live in a windy area. Use a wooden frame to attach the netting, and make sure it’s positioned high enough that birds cannot reach the berries.

Putting some straw mulch around your strawberry plants can also help. The straw keeps the berries off the ground, and discourages weeds. However, if you do use straw, be sure to water the plants regularly.