Growing strawberries in bags is an easy and fun way to produce a bountiful berry harvest in a small space These compact fruit plants thrive when grown vertically in breathable bags or pouches filled with lightweight potting mix Discover the many benefits of container strawberries and how to get a healthy, high-yielding crop using this simple method.
Why Grow Strawberries in Bags?
There are several excellent reasons to consider bag culture for your strawberry patch
- Space Saving – Grow lots of plants in a compact area Bags can be set on patios, balconies, or in tight rows
- Weed & Pest Control – Isolated from soil, bags reduce weeds and soil-borne diseases. Keeps slugs away.
- Portability – Lightweight bags are easy to move for sunlight exposure, task access or overwintering.
- Reduced Rot – Berries stay off the ground, avoiding rotting from moisture and pests.
- High Yields – Excellent aeration and drainage in bags leads to healthy roots and vigorous plants.
- Convenience – Save your back by not having to bend for care, pruning and harvest. Grow at a comfortable height.
With proper care and optimal growing conditions, container strawberries can produce bumper crops in bags. Keep reading for tips on varieties, planting, and care.
Selecting Strawberry Varieties for Bags
While all strawberries can be grown in bags, some varieties are better suited for container culture. Choose from these high-yielding, compact types:
- Everbearing – Produce berries spring to fall the first year. Tristar and Quinault are top choices.
- Day-Neutral – Bear fruit continuously through summer into fall. Albion and Seascape are recommended.
- June-Bearing – Reliable spring cropper. Honeoye and Allstar are good compact varieties.
Avoid spreading or mattress-forming types like Chandler. Seek out varieties recommended for hanging baskets or containers.
Getting Strawberry Bags and Potting Mix
You’ll need a few supplies to get set up for growing strawberries in bags:
- Strawberry bags – Use porous fabric bags with built-in pockets or slits to hold plants, like Grow Bags or Smart Pots. A 5-10 gallon capacity bag is ideal for 4-6 plants.
- Lightweight potting mix – Use a mix formulated for containers, not garden soil. Seek a mix containing peat moss, perlite or vermiculite.
- Flood trays – Durable plastic trays to set bags in for convenient watering from the bottom. Look for commercial plant trays.
Planting Strawberry Bags
Spring and fall are ideal times for planting strawberries in bags. Here are simple planting steps:
- Fill bags 2/3 full with moistened potting mix. Fold over any tops.
- Massage bare-root plants to spread out roots before planting.
- Plant crowns just above soil surface, trimming any excess roots. Space plants 6-12 inches apart.
- Backfill soil, firming gently around plants. Leave room at top for watering.
- Water thoroughly until excess drains from bottoms after planting.
- Place containers in full sun location on a flood tray for convenient watering.
Caring for Container Strawberries
Growing in bags eliminates soil pests and weeds, but plants need consistent moisture and nutrition. Follow these tips:
- Water whenever top inch of soil is dry. Avoid water stress and soggy soil.
- Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer, or use time-release granules at planting.
- Prune off old leaves and runners to focus energy on fruit production.
- Protect flowers from frost with floating row covers. Remove during pollination periods.
- Move bags to a sheltered location for winter in cold climates. Keep soil slightly moist.
Proper, consistent care will keep your container berries thriving and producing heavily.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Watch for these potential issues when growing strawberries in bags:
- Moldy Berries – Prevent by picking promptly and watering at soil level, not on fruits. Increase air circulation.
- Few Flowers/Fruits – Can be caused by overcrowding, excess nitrogen, or water stress.
- White Spots on Leaves – Indicates spider mites. Knock off with hose or use insecticidal soap spray.
- Stunted Plants – Results from compacted soil, under watering, or too much sun/heat.
- Leggy Plants – Due to insufficient sunlight. Turn containers or remove shade obstructions.
Harvesting and Enjoying Container Strawberries
- Begin picking ripe fruits as soon as plants establish, removing caps with a twist.
- Harvest every 2-4 days during peak season. Productive plants can bear for 4-6 weeks.
- Pick early in the day for best flavor. Handle carefully to avoid bruising.
- Enjoy fresh or freeze extras to enjoy out of season. Strawberries also can, jam, and ferment wonderfully.
With the right varieties and care, container growing allows you to successfully harvest bowls of beautiful, homegrown strawberries even in a small outdoor space or balcony. The delicious summer fruits are worth the minimal effort required to maintain productive bagged plants. Give this fun and productive method a try for your next strawberry patch!
Strawberry grow bag with drainage holes
This grow bag is made of plastic, not extremely well built but it?s very light and has multiple pockets/sleeves to grow strawberries in.
You can use any kind of potting mix; here we are using a pre made potting mix. But an ideal potting mix will be a combination of peat moss or coco coir, with some perlite or vermiculite and worm castings or compost. This is the standard potting mix that we have been using now for many years, it?s not only very cost effective but also provides good drainage and serves as an ideal growing medium for growing plants in containers.
Fill the grow bag with potting mix all the way to the top, you can add a slow release/organic fertilizer now if you?d like. Here we are separating some plants from the 5-gallon pot that we were growing strawberries in and planting them in the pockets of the grow bag, one in each pocket.
Separating plants to pot
Although you can use any variety of strawberry, some of my favorites are the Chandler, Quinault, and the Ozark beauty. Gently shove the roots into the soil making sure the roots are covered by soil. Add more soil if needed and compact the soil around the roots so when you are ready to water the plants there is not a lot of run off. It?s very important to water your plants after potting. Make sure you water each pocket well and also water from the top, the grow bag has pre-made drainage holes in the bottom and the water will drain well if you use a good potting mix.
Planting Strawberry Bare Roots In Grow Bag Containers
FAQ
Do strawberries grow well in bags?
How many strawberries can you put in a grow bag?
Do strawberries grow well in hanging bags?
Do strawberries grow better in pots or ground?
Can you grow strawberries in grow bags?
Strawberries are extremely easy to grow. They don’t require much maintenance and are one of the best plants to grow in grow bags. Growing your strawberries in grow bags provides several advantages over terra cotta or plastic pots and they can fit easily on your patio or balcony.
How do you plant strawberries in a grow bag?
Once you have your soil mixture prepared and your grow bags selected, it’s time to plant your strawberries. Begin by separating strawberry plants if they are clustered together. Gently tease the roots apart and plant each individual plant in its own pocket or compartment of the grow bag.
How many strawberries can you plant in a bag?
To ensure that you have good, strong plants, you can plant 3 to 4 plants in a bag. This is important so that each of your plants gets the required volume of soil. It is imperative that there is no overcrowding. If you do plant more strawberry plants in your grow bag, they may grow lush and green, but they are likely to provide fewer strawberries.
How many gallons should a strawberry grow bag be?
Generally, the bags below two gallons are suitable for smaller plants that do not grow taller than 9.5 inches. Do not assume that a bigger grow bag will grow more strawberries. Also, keep in mind the space you have for the strawberry grow bag. For your strawberries, you can choose between the five and eight-gallon sizes.