Self-Sufficient.co.uk
Find out more about Self Sufficiency
Latest Articles
Green Manure
Find out the benefits of green manure and its uses
grow your own
10:25, 14th Aug 2008
Build a Pallet Shed
Build yourself a shed from used pallets
shed
13:31, 23rd Jul 2008
Choosing a Greenhouse
Decide which greenhouse is right for you
greenhouse
13:26, 23rd Jul 2008
Chicken Coop
House chickens in a suitable chicken coop
livestock
13:13, 23rd Jul 2008
Keeping Chickens
Find out more about the practicalities of keeping chickens
livestock
13:11, 23rd Jul 2008
Growing Redcurrants
Find out more about growing your own redcurrants
grow your own
09:02, 21st Jul 2008
Nettles
Find out more about nettles - how to benefit from them and how to get rid of them
foraging
11:48, 19th Jul 2008
Growing Peas
Find out more about growing delicious peas
vegetables
16:16, 18th Jul 2008
Grow Strawberries in Hanging Baskets
Find out more about the benefits of growing strawberries in hanging baskets
Grow Strawberries In Hanging Baskets
grow your own | fruits
Home grown strawberries are one of the delights of summer. Strawberries can be grown in any sunny, warm site either from seed or from small plants (from the garden centre).
If strawberries are to be grown directly in the ground, the fruits must be kept dry and off the ground to prevent mould and mildew forming. Typically straw or strawberry mats are used to achieve this. Another problem for the strawberry grower is that strawberries attract the unwanted attentions of slugs and snails. Therefore many gardeners grow their strawberries in pots or hanging baskets.
Strawberries in Hanging Baskets
Three of four strawberry plants can be planted into a typical hanging basket with each 2yr old plant producing up to 1 1/2 pounds of fruit. Up to 50% less wastage occurs since the fresh breeze blowing through the strawberries keeps them dry (and therefore prevents rotting) and the slugs and snails cannot get to the fruit.
A good multipurpose compost should be used, ideally with a layer of small stones on top to help retain moisture in the hanging basket, and also to keep the leaves and fruit of the strawberry plant dry.
Birds are still attracted to strawberry plants whether on the ground or in baskets, so netting should be use once fruiting begins to protect the plants. The netting should not be draped over the plants directly (since the birds will still be able to get to the strawberries), instead a basic cage should be constructed.
All strawberry plants like a good feed (tomato feed is perfect), but plants in hanging baskets in particular need regular feeding since there is a limited amount of nutrition in the small amount of soil contained in a basket. Feeding every couple of weeks during the summer months should be plenty. The plants need to be water frequently as the hanging basket will dry out quickly in the summer, but do not spray with a hosepipe as this gets the fruit wet.
Article Published: 08:25, 22nd Feb 2008
Related Articles
Growing Redcurrants
Find out more about growing your own redcurrants
Article Published: 09:02, 21st Jul 2008
grow your own | fruits
Making Jam
An introduction to making your own jam
Article Published: 15:05, 7th Jul 2008
preserving | fruits | grow your own
Raised Beds
Learn how to build and use raised growing beds.
Article Published: 17:13, 15th Apr 2006
grow your own
Porous Pipe Plot Irrigation
Find out how to irrigate your vegetable plot
Article Published: 17:17, 14th Jul 2008
grow your own
Making Compost
Find out how to make your own compost
Article Published: 14:40, 5th Apr 2006
grow your own | recycle
Types of Soil
Learn about the different types of soil
Article Published: 13:16, 6th Apr 2006
grow your own
Growing Garlic
Find out how to grow your own garlic
Article Published: 13:19, 5th Jul 2008
grow your own | vegetables
Growing Rhubarb
Find out how to grow and care for rhubarb
Article Published: 14:59, 15th Jul 2008
grow your own | vegetables
Companion Planting
Find out about the benefits of companion planting
Article Published: 09:27, 12th Jul 2008
grow your own | vegetables
Growing Shallots
Find out how to grow your own shallots
Article Published: 08:06, 12th Jul 2008
grow your own | vegetables