How to Plant Everbearing Strawberries in Pots

Whether you live in an apartment or have limited garden space, growing everbearing strawberries in pots is a great way to enjoy fresh and juicy strawberries right at your home. With the right knowledge and tools, you can easily grow these delicious fruits and enjoy them all year round. Here are some tips on how to plant everbearing strawberries in pots:

Choose the Right Variety

The first step in planting everbearing strawberries in pots is to choose the right variety. There are many varieties of everbearing strawberries available, and some are more suitable for container gardening than others. Some of the most popular everbearing strawberry varieties include Evie 2, Tribute, and Seascape. These varieties produce smaller plants with compact root systems, making them perfect for container gardening.

Choose the Right Container

Once you have chosen the variety of everbearing strawberries you want to grow, you should choose the right container for planting them. The container you choose should be at least 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide, and it should have drainage holes to allow excess water to drain away. You can use plastic, ceramic or terra cotta pots for planting, as long as they meet these requirements.

Prepare the Soil

Everbearing strawberries prefer well-drained soil that is rich in nutrients. You can use a commercial potting mix or create your own by mixing equal parts of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite. Add some compost or organic fertilizer to the mix to provide your strawberries with the nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong.

Plant the Strawberries

The next step is to plant the everbearing strawberries in the container. Fill the bottom of the container with a layer of drainage material, such as gravel or rocks. This will help to prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged. Next, add some of the prepared soil to the container, leaving enough space for the strawberry plants to be planted. Gently place the strawberry plants in the container and fill in the soil around them. Water the plants thoroughly to settle the soil and ensure that the roots are well hydrated.

Care for the Strawberries

After planting the everbearing strawberries, you will need to take good care of them to ensure that they grow healthy and strong. Give them plenty of water, but avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot. Fertilize the plants every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer to provide them with the nutrients they need to produce healthy fruit. You should also remove any runners that grow from the plants, as they can divert energy away from fruit production.

Harvest the Strawberries

Once the everbearing strawberries start to produce fruit, you can begin harvesting them. Be sure to pick the strawberries as soon as they ripen, as leaving them on the plant for too long can cause them to become overripe and mushy. To harvest the strawberries, simply twist and pull them gently off the plant. Enjoy your fresh and juicy strawberries right away or use them in your favorite recipes!

Growing everbearing strawberries in pots is a fun and delicious way to enjoy fresh fruit at home. With these tips, you can easily grow your own everbearing strawberries and enjoy them all year round!