Strawberries will thrive in your balcony box for years if you take care of them.
Hey there,
Having a garden is very fortunate, but even if you don’t, you don’t have to give up on fresh, homegrown fruits. Luckily, many plants thrive in balcony boxes, and flower pots, so if you have a balcony, you can already have your own little garden.
Or if you have enough space, you can even set up a raised bed and bring the joys of nature and gardening into your home. In spring and summer, there’s no problem because, with the right watering and nutrient supply, your fruits will grow and bear wonderfully. However, when autumn arrives, it’s time to think about how they can withstand the colder weather.
Through my example, I will show you, what successful strawberry growing looks like in a balcony box.
Come and learn with me!
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Here’s how to protect balcony-grown strawberries
Strawberries are very easy to grow in balcony planters or pots. And the best part is that we don’t always have to buy new seedlings; we can overwinter them, so they can delight us with their harvest for many years. In general, everbearing strawberries (strawberries that grow continuously) thrive best in pots.
It’s best to use terracotta pots for growing strawberries, but they also feel great in balcony boxes. Terracotta is excellent because it ensures better soil drainage, which must be paid attention to in all cases, and not only for strawberries. Strawberries prefer sunny, sheltered spots, so if possible, find such a spot on your balcony for them.
You can safely overwinter strawberries in the cellar or garage. If that’s not possible, leaving them outside and loosely covering the plants with straw can also work. If you’ve been growing strawberries in a balcony box, take the planter off the balcony railing and place it next to the wall, where it will be more protected from the weather. Place a polystyrene board or something similar around the balcony box to protect the roots from frost. This is necessary because the roots don’t penetrate too deep. They couldn’t, given the limited space in the container. However, because of this, they can freeze more easily, so they need protection.
Well, let’s start with the planting then.
This is how you choose a pot or balcony box
I have a wooden balcony box (Here is one similar on Amazon: wooden balcony planter) measuring 40*80 cm, and I planted 20 seedlings last year.
I planted them in this spacing:
Wooden balcony planters and barrels are quite popular, but various types of ceramic pots and their plastic counterparts are also common. Only our budget and taste can limit which one we choose.
Terracotta pots are heavy and easily breakable, so plastic might be a lighter and cheaper choice. Moreover, it can withstand frost. However, if we opt for a dark color, it might easily heat up in the summer, thus damaging the root system of the plants grown in it.
The pots need to have one or more drainage holes at the bottom, allowing excess water to drain out of the soil. Always consider the needs of the plants you want to plant, as each plant requires a different depth and width of the planter.
Here’s what to consider for strawberries grown in balcony boxes
Unfortunately, plants and their roots grown in balcony boxes have limited space. Therefore, it’s very important, what kind of soil they are planted in. Most plants grown on balconies thrive in well-drained, nutrient-rich, neutral pH soil. If you want to create a perfect environment for your strawberries, you should mix peat, compost, organic humus, and a little sand into universal potting soil.
It’s also important to fill pots and balcony boxes with fresh soil every year. The previously used soil has likely depleted its nutrients, and it could also become a breeding ground for diseases and pathogens.
If it’s not possible to replace the entire amount of soil, you should still remove the top 2-3 cm layer of soil and replace it with high-quality, chemical-free soil. Don’t forget to water these plants more frequently, and they will also need fertilization more often.
Planting strawberries
Planting depth is important for strawberries. Do not plant too deep, because the stem and even the leaves can easily rot. Similarly, do not plant too high, as this can cause the plant to dry out. It is best to choose the same depth as the seedling was planted. When planted outdoors, a mature strawberry plant (2-3 years old) requires about 40 cm of space in all directions. So you need to plant fewer plants if you plan to grow them in a balcony box. (and I’ll need to thin out the crowns this year.)
Now that we’ve found the right planters, potting soil, and planted our plants, caring for them is still ahead.
Caring for strawberries
Strawberries develop long runners on which new plants emerge. We can continuously propagate the plant by burying these runners in the soil during the summer. Harvesting ripe fruits encourages the growth of new flowers and fruits. Fruit ripening requires a lot of nutrients, so continuous nutrient replenishment is essential in strawberry cultivation.
You can also plant marigolds next to the strawberries. On the one hand, they’re decorative, and on the other hand, they have practical benefits as their scent repels certain pests, such as nematodes! Unfortunately, pests really like strawberries. Over two hundred (!) pathogens and diseases can attack our favorite fruit. Nevertheless, experts consider strawberries among the most robust plants.
Here’s a video showing the current stage of my strawberries (20th April) They’re already growing their fruits nicely, and soon I’ll have something that my toddler can taste.
Wohoo, here you can see the first harvest (13th May)!
Yummy, sweet like honey!
Conclusion
Strawberries are plants we love for their fruit. We can enjoy them on their own, as jam, in pastries, or paired with champagne, which according to bohemians, is one of the most princely pairings in the world!
Growing strawberries in a balcony box is not complicated at all. With a little attention, plenty of nutrient replenishment, and regular watering, you’ll succeed too!
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