Maximize Your Garden Space with a Versatile Strawberry Pot. Grow Delicious Strawberries and More!
What Is a Strawberry Pot?
A classic strawberry pot is urn-shaped and features multiple planting pockets, allowing you to grow several plants in a compact space. While strawberry pots are typically made of terra cotta, they can also come with a glazed finish. At Gasper Home & Garden Center, we offer a variety of strawberry pots to choose from.
Can I Grow Anything Other Than Strawberries in My Strawberry Pot?
Although it’s called a strawberry pot, you don’t have to limit yourself to just planting strawberries! Strawberry pots are excellent containers for a variety of herbs, lettuce, succulents, or flowering annuals. Using a strawberry pot for lettuce or herbs creates a convenient edible container garden that can be placed close to a kitchen door, making it easy to gather fresh ingredients for cooking. Below are some examples of custom-planted strawberry pots that we made here at Gasper.
What Materials Do I Need to Plant a Strawberry Pot?
- A Strawberry Pot
- Small strawberry (or other) plants for each of the pottery openings, plus 2-3 additional for the top. (Our pot had 8 openings, so we used 10 plants overall.)
- Organic Potting Soil (We Recommend Bumper Crop Gardener’s Gold Potting Soil)
- An organic All-Purpose or Vegetable Fertilizer
- A small piece of Coir or Filter Fabric to fit over the bottom drainage opening
- Small Pebble-sized rocks for Drainage
- Garden Trowel or Small Shovel
- Watering Can or Hose Access
- Optional: Garden Gloves
How to Plant a Strawberry Pot
1. Gather Your Supplies
Before you begin, assemble all necessary materials. A potting bench is ideal, but a sturdy wheelbarrow can also work well if you don’t have one. This will help catch and contain any soil spillage and make cleanup easier.
2. Prepare For Good Drainage In Your Pot
Ensure proper drainage for your pot by placing a small piece of coir over the drainage hole at the pot’s bottom. This will prevent soil from escaping. Next, put a few scoops or handfuls of small pebble-sized rocks at the bottom of the pot.
3. Add Soil and Fertilizer
Fill the pot with organic potting soil until it just reaches below the bottom of the lowest pocket opening. Mix in a handful or two of organic all-purpose fertilizer to nourish your plants. Remember, using organic soil and fertilizer is crucial for growing strawberries, herbs, greens, or any vegetables. We recommend using Dr. Earth Organic All-Purpose Fertilizer.
4. Plant Your First Layer
Begin with the lowest layer of openings. Carefully remove your plants from their containers. Gently loosen any root-bound plants by breaking up their roots. If the pot has large pockets, insert the plants from the outside. For smaller openings, place the plant inside the pot and gently guide the leaves and stems through the opening.
5. Add Soil and Fertilizer Between Layers
After filling all the bottom openings with plants, add more soil and fertilizer to the next level of pockets, repeating this process until all side pockets are filled.
6. Fill the Top of the Pot
Top off the pot with 2-3 additional plants to achieve a full, lush appearance. Remember to leave some space at the top for watering.
7. Water Thoroughly
Once all plants are in place, water the pot thoroughly until the water seeps from the bottom. This will help irrigate the plants and wash away any excess dirt from the pot and plants.
8. Maintain Your Strawberry Pot
Keep your pot well-watered, especially if it’s made of unglazed terra cotta, which can dry out quickly. To provide even sunlight exposure, rotate your pot every few days. Enjoy watching your strawberry pot thrive!
Can I Overwinter My Strawberry Pots?
Strawberries are short-lived perennials, which means that they come back annually but may need to be replaced every few years. Depending on how cold your winters are and what types of plants you use, they should overwinter in your container if they are considered perennials in your zone. If you are going to leave your strawberry pot outdoors during the winter months, make sure that it is frost-resistant with good drainage. Please note: Traditional terra-cotta is not typically frost-resistant.
