Strawberries are one of the easiest fruits to grow. The taste of this home grown fruit is far more flavorful than you’ll find in a grocery store. Why? The sugar in berries converts to starch soon after they’re picked.
If you have limited space available, it’s still possible to make planting dreams come true! People are using 5L plastic bottles to plant strawberries. This is an ingenious and eco-friendly solution.
In this article, we’ll take you through the steps to achieve abundant strawberry production while making use of these compact containers.
Getting Started with Container Gardening
1. Choose the Right Containers: 5-liter plastic bottles, often discarded as waste, can be repurposed to create a thriving strawberry garden. Cut the tops off the bottles, leaving the bottom section to function as a self-contained growing environment.
2. Soil Preparation: Strawberries thrive in well-draining soil, rich in organic matter. A mix of potting soil and compost in equal proportions works wonders. Fill your plastic bottles with this mixture, ensuring it is light and fluffy, allowing the roots to breathe.
3. Selecting Strawberry Varieties: There are three main types of strawberries: June-bearing, everbearing, and day-neutral. For continuous production, opt for everbearing or day-neutral varieties. Alpine strawberries are also a great choice for container gardening due to their compact size.
4. Planting Strawberries: Plant strawberry runners or young plants in the bottles. Ensure the crown of the plant sits just above the soil’s surface, and space them about 8-10 inches apart to allow for proper growth.
