STRAWBERRY GROWING IN POTS AND TROUGHS

Fruit-growing expert David Patch offers some top advice on growing strawberries in containers

- David Patch

Growing fruit in a container is a bit of a faff. You are responsible for all the watering, constantly checking to make sure the compost is neither too wet nor bone dry. You'll need to feed the plants regularly, and also turn the container occasionally so all the fruit ripens. The crop is never going to be anywhere near as large as with plants growing in open ground. And if the plant needs to produce constant new growth to fruit, such as blackcurrants, raspberries or blackberries, it's twice as hard.

Luckily, some fruit responds well to growing in a container, and this allows us to fit extra plants into our gardens if they are already full, or make temporary use of a sunny patio to extend the fruit garden. Strawberries are one such fruit, and this month we will look at how to use pots and troughs to grow this quintessential taste of the British summer.

CHOICE OF CONTAINER

Any container, pot or hanging basket will work to a degree, but some will be better than others. Terracotta pots look lovely but have a tendency to dry out quickly as moisture evaporates through the pot walls, so line with a collar of plastic if necessary. Adequate drainage is the other main consideration strawberries hate to be in waterlogged soil – so drill extra holes if necessary, use crocks in the bottom of the pot and raise the pot up on pot feet or bricks so excess water can drain away. Otherwise, the choice is up to you, you can go as quirky or as practical and utilitarian as you like!

GROWING MEDIUM