Strawberry planters are simple, fun and, if things go well, delicious and healthy
Building your own strawberry planter can be a simple, fun and inexpensive project and the results can be extremely rewarding.
Almost any container will do for planting strawberries but if you build your own then you can be sure you’ll have a planter that will suit your needs perfectly.
Choose a location
First, you must decide where you would like your planter to sit. Location is important to strawberries as they prefer sunny environments, and it will also influence the design of your planter.
Strawberry pyramid
Either in the garden or on a patio, the most popular option is constructing a strawberry pyramid. This planter will last a long time and is reusable, while adding a decorative touch to your outdoor area. Almost any material will be appropriate for construction, though popular materials include bricks, large pots, lumber and aluminium circular rings.
The main idea is to build your strawberry planter with a large base and many tiers to prevent things from eating the plants, and also to prevent the plants from becoming tangled amongst themselves. This makes the berries more accessible for picking, and keeps them off the damp ground.
The sack method
For a patio or decking, one popular method simply requires a large sack or pop-up bag for gathering garden debris. Any size will do, though it should preferably be around 40x40cm in height and diameter.
To construct, simply fill the bottom of the bag with about 5cm of sand or gravel, then continue with potting soil for another 5cm. From here, begin cutting holes into the sack that will allow for the strawberries’ leaves to come out from inside. Create two levels of evenly spaced openings, no closer to each other than about 10cm. Fill the planter to the first level with potting soil and insert your strawberry plants from the inside, gently pulling their leaves through the opening. Do the same to the second level, and finally plant two or three on top. This design is very simple, inexpensive, and creates a desirable tiered system that will prevent insects and dampness from destroying your strawberries.
Hanging containers are also worth considering as strawberries can expand downwards, and there is no danger of them being trampled or eaten. Use a sack such as the one in the aforementioned design, or a large basket with holes. Once filled with potting soil and planted with strawberries, the container should be suspended in a sunny place by rope or chain.
Good, healthy fun
There are endless possibilities for creating your own strawberry planter, from using old barrels to tyres and baskets. Anybody can create one, and it is a fun project for children to get involved in, too. What’s more, fresh, undamaged strawberries are a delicious and healthy treat that can be grown with little cost or labour.
If you haven’t got time to make your own planter, then visit Dobbies online or in-store for a great range of garden planters.
