Growing Juicy Strawberries in Hanging Baskets

As a passionate gardener and strawberry lover, I’m always looking for new ways to grow these sweet, juicy berries. While traditional in-ground gardens work well, strawberries also thrive when grown in hanging baskets. This unique method allows you to grow strawberries even if you have limited yard space.

In this article, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about cultivating a bountiful strawberry harvest using hanging baskets. Read on to learn how to select the best basket varieties, care for your plants, and troubleshoot any issues that arise With the right setup and care, your hanging strawberry plants will reward you with plenty of plump, flavorful berries to enjoy all season long

Selecting the Best Strawberry Varieties for Hanging Baskets

Not all strawberry varieties are well-suited for hanging basket culture. To get a good harvest, it’s essential to select compact, prolific varieties that produce quality berries throughout the season. Here are my top recommendations:

• Day-neutral strawberries – These everbearing varieties produce sweet berries spring through fall, not just in early summer like June-bearers Good choices include Tristar, Tribute, Mara des Bois, Evie, and Albion

• Alpine strawberries – Descendants of wild strawberries, these plants produce tiny, aromatic, intensely flavored berries from spring until fall. Try growing Mignonette, Rugen Improved, or Yellow Wonder.

• Quinalt – This compact June-bearer yields abundance of large, firm, tasty berries in early to mid summer.

• Ogallala – An early season June-bearer that’s very compact and great for small spaces like baskets.

I suggest avoiding June-bearing varieties other than Quinalt and Ogallala. Most June-bearers send out numerous runners and become overgrown, which reduces fruit production. The varieties above tend to stay compact and focus energy on forming berries rather than runners.

Preparing and Planting Your Hanging Strawberry Baskets

Once you’ve selected your varieties, it’s time to prepare your hanging baskets for planting:

• Choose a sturdy basket about 12-15 inches wide and 10-14 inches deep. I prefer wire baskets lined with moss or coconut coir liners that help retain moisture.

• Self-watering baskets work very well for strawberries. Just be sure to fill them with quality potting soil rather than moisture-retaining gel beads.

• Aim for 3-5 plants per basket, spaced close together. More plants means more berries!

When planting strawberries into your prepared baskets:

• Carefully remove plants from their pots, handling them by their leaves to avoid damaging the crown and roots.

• Place each plant into the basket, firming the soil gently around its roots. Leave the crown just above soil level.

• Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.

• Consider adding a slow-release fertilizer to the soil for a nutrient boost.

• Ideally, plant in spring once the danger of frost has passed. Shelter baskets from harsh sun and wind for a few days after planting.

Caring for Hanging Strawberry Baskets

With the right care, your hanging strawberry plants will flourish and produce sweet berries:

Watering – Check soil moisture daily and water whenever the top 1-2 inches become dry. Avoid wetting the berries. Drip irrigation works very well.

Fertilizing – Feed plants monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer, increasing to every 2 weeks once blossoms appear.

Pollination – Place baskets near attractive blooming plants like lavender to encourage pollination for optimal fruit set. Consider hand pollination using a small paintbrush too.

Pruning – Remove any runners that form to maintain a compact growth habit focused on fruit production.

Winter Care – Move baskets to a sheltered area or unheated garage once cold weather arrives. Reduce watering.

With attentive care and protection from harsh weather, your strawberry hanging baskets will keep producing berries for 3 years or longer. Replanting with new young plants every 2-3 years maximizes harvests.

Enjoying Your Bountiful Hanging Strawberry Harvest

Once your strawberry plants start flowering in spring, berry harvest time is right around the corner! Here are some tips for picking, storing, and using your homegrown hanging basket strawberries:

• Pick berries when fully red but still firm. Avoid leaving berries on plants too long, as they’ll become overripe.

• Harvest early in the day when berries are coolest and most flavorful. Handle carefully to avoid bruising.

• Store freshly picked berries in the refrigerator and eat within a few days for best quality and flavor. Don’t wash until ready to use.

• Of course, strawberries are amazing eaten fresh, but also use them in smoothies, desserts like shortcake, sauces, jams, and more.

• Freeze excess berries for year-round enjoyment. Lay berries in a single layer on a baking sheet and transfer to freezer containers once frozen. They’ll keep for about a year.

Troubleshooting Common Hanging Strawberry Problems

While growing strawberries in hanging baskets is very rewarding, you may encounter a few potential issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot some common problems:

Lack of flowers/fruit – This is often due to insufficient sunlight. Move baskets to the sunniest location possible. Fertilize regularly and remove runners to encourage more blooms.

Rotting fruit – Wet berries are prone to rotting. Allow soil to dry somewhat between waterings and avoid getting water on the berries. Pick fruit promptly when ripe.

Pests like spider mites, aphids – Check undersides of leaves frequently and treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays at first sight of pests.

Diseases like gray mold – Improve airflow by spacing plants well in basket. Avoid overhead watering. Remove affected fruit immediately and treat with appropriate organic fungicides.

Birds/squirrels eating berries – Protect ripening fruit with bird netting or place baskets in an enclosed porch or sunroom. Consider wildlife-proof protective berry cages too.

By selecting suitable compact varieties, planting in a good quality basket, providing attentive care, and troubleshooting promptly, you can grow a flourishing strawberry basket garden. Homegrown hanging basket berries are well worth the effort for their delicious, garden-fresh flavor. Nothing beats picking juicy, ripe strawberries right outside your door and enjoying them within moments. I hope you’ll give this fun and productive growing method a try this year!