strawberries in hanging baskets?

This is the place to discuss not just allotments but all general gardening problems and queries which don't fit into the specific categories below.
(formerly allotments and tips, hints and problems)
Post Reply
crazymaisey
Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
Posts: 31
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:06 pm
Location: Northwest UK

strawberries in hanging baskets?

Post: # 240143Post crazymaisey »

Is it possible to grow strawberries in hanging baskets? Or anything else where the neighbours cats won't be able to get to them?

User avatar
Thomzo
A selfsufficientish Regular
A selfsufficientish Regular
Posts: 4311
Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2007 1:42 pm
Facebook Name: Zoe Thomas
Location: Swindon, South West England

Re: strawberries in hanging baskets?

Post: # 240147Post Thomzo »

Definitely. In fact a lot of commercial growers do as it keeps them out of the way of the slugs. Just bear in mind the watering and feeding requirements.

I find that popping upturned lids from plastic bottles into the hanging baskets really helps to retain water.

Zoe

crazymaisey
Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
Posts: 31
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:06 pm
Location: Northwest UK

Re: strawberries in hanging baskets?

Post: # 240152Post crazymaisey »

Oh that's great news! Slugs are definitely another concern so this will be great. What size baskets do you think? And are there better types of strawberries for hanging baskets than others?
P.s. I love the idea of the pop bottle lids!

User avatar
Davie Crockett
Living the good life
Living the good life
Posts: 230
Joined: Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:48 pm
latitude: 52.12292
longitude: 2.30910
Location: Malvern, UK.
Contact:

Re: strawberries in hanging baskets?

Post: # 240188Post Davie Crockett »

I've got a couple of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/HANGING-STRAWBE ... 962&sr=1-1

They yielded about a pound and a half of fruit. I found that if you leave an inch or two space at the top, they can have compost added when they're fruiting as the soil medium gets quickly exhausted. They also need frequent checks so they don't dry out in warm weather.
Time flies like an arrow; vinegar flies like an uncovered wine must.

User avatar
SouthernDave
Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Jun 30, 2011 4:35 pm
Location: Sussex

Re: strawberries in hanging baskets?

Post: # 240208Post SouthernDave »

We looked at those! What do you do with them in the winter though.....?

Durgan
A selfsufficientish Regular
A selfsufficientish Regular
Posts: 1162
Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:02 pm

Re: strawberries in hanging baskets?

Post: # 240212Post Durgan »

crazymaisey wrote:Is it possible to grow strawberries in hanging baskets? Or anything else where the neighbours cats won't be able to get to them?
The reality and the dream of growing in hanging baskets is far removed from those pretty pictures that periodically appear on the internet. First slavery is no longer in vogue, and anything hanging takes much labour. Slugs can be controlled with some of the simple baits available scattered around plants, certainly any that I encounter. My point is there are much easier ways of growing plants than utilizing hanging baskets.

User avatar
Davie Crockett
Living the good life
Living the good life
Posts: 230
Joined: Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:48 pm
latitude: 52.12292
longitude: 2.30910
Location: Malvern, UK.
Contact:

Re: strawberries in hanging baskets?

Post: # 240217Post Davie Crockett »

We looked at those! What do you do with them in the winter though.....?
I plant this years plants in the ground over winter, they will provide runners for next year but ones crop. Runners from this year have been potted up ready for the containers next year. Generally Strawberries have a four year useful life cycle and I compost them after this time.
Time flies like an arrow; vinegar flies like an uncovered wine must.

User avatar
SouthernDave
Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Jun 30, 2011 4:35 pm
Location: Sussex

Re: strawberries in hanging baskets?

Post: # 240220Post SouthernDave »

Davie Crockett wrote:
We looked at those! What do you do with them in the winter though.....?
I plant this years plants in the ground over winter, they will provide runners for next year but ones crop. Runners from this year have been potted up ready for the containers next year. Generally Strawberries have a four year useful life cycle and I compost them after this time.
Okay, what I meant was you plant up the hanging basket ones and they crop, but then what? Do you leave them hanging there all winter or do you re-plant into the ground again, or put them in the greenhouse, etc??

User avatar
Davie Crockett
Living the good life
Living the good life
Posts: 230
Joined: Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:48 pm
latitude: 52.12292
longitude: 2.30910
Location: Malvern, UK.
Contact:

Re: strawberries in hanging baskets?

Post: # 240233Post Davie Crockett »

Sorry Dave, I wasn't clear about that....They won't survive the winter in the hangers as the compost will be spent. Plant them out in a nursery bed (I use a ridged bed, a bit like the commercial growers).
Time flies like an arrow; vinegar flies like an uncovered wine must.

User avatar
Green Aura
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 9313
Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:16 pm
latitude: 58.569279
longitude: -4.762620
Location: North West Highlands

Re: strawberries in hanging baskets?

Post: # 240235Post Green Aura »

Don't need coats, Dave - we don't venture out when it's cold (about 350 days of the year :lol: ) but I'm a dab hand at walking at a 45 degree angle! :wink:
Maggie

Never doubt that you can change history. You already have. Marge Piercy

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin

User avatar
Thomzo
A selfsufficientish Regular
A selfsufficientish Regular
Posts: 4311
Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2007 1:42 pm
Facebook Name: Zoe Thomas
Location: Swindon, South West England

Re: strawberries in hanging baskets?

Post: # 240278Post Thomzo »

Durgan wrote: My point is there are much easier ways of growing plants than utilizing hanging baskets.
:scratch: At least you don't put your back out picking them!

Personally, I don't find baskets to big a deal. Mine are quite large so they don't dry out so quickly. Hang one above the other and you only have to water the top one.

I make hanging baskets out of old lampshades, some chicken wire and bit of recycled ethernet cable.

Zoe

crazymaisey
Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
Posts: 31
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:06 pm
Location: Northwest UK

Re: strawberries in hanging baskets?

Post: # 240952Post crazymaisey »

Thomzo, do you have any pics of your lampshade/chicken wire creations? Sounds brilliant!

Tru&Ad
Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
Posts: 37
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:28 pm
Location: Trunch, North Norfolk

Re: strawberries in hanging baskets?

Post: # 240953Post Tru&Ad »

We grow strawberries and peas in hanging baskets. It saves the dogs assisting in the watering ;)
I started out with nothing and I've got most of it left !

If it's not on fire it's a software problem !

Do I have to ?????

crazymaisey
Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
Posts: 31
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:06 pm
Location: Northwest UK

Re: strawberries in hanging baskets?

Post: # 240956Post crazymaisey »

Tru&Ad, I never would have thought of growing peas in hanging baskets. What type of container do you use for this?

Post Reply