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

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

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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??

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).

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

Durgan wrote: My point is there are much easier ways of growing plants than utilizing hanging baskets.

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

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

We grow strawberries and peas in hanging baskets. It saves the dogs assisting in the watering ;)

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