Strawberries (Fragaria spp.) Grow well in the superb drainage conditions of a backyard box. They thrive in either a little planting box which has bottom drain holes or at long rows at a raised bed that’s boxed sides. Many strawberry varieties grow in a broad range of U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones. As an instance, the cultivars “Pink Panda” (Fragaria frel “Pink Panda”) along with “Lipstick” (Fragaria frel “Lipstick”) are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 11a.
Choosing Plants
Different types of strawberries ripen at different times. Some bear fruit only through a given time window while ever-bearing varieties produce fruit continuously throughout the growing season. Early-harvest strawberry varieties do well in moderate, Mediterranean neighborhoods, and other varieties grow well in various areas. Gardening stores and plant nurseries usually sell strawberry varieties because of their climates. When selecting strawberry plants, choose plants free from diseases and fungal issues. Respectable nurseries occasionally have plants which are certified as disease-free.
Preparing the Box
Using the right place and soil preparation for your own garden box will help ensure your strawberry plants remain productive and healthy. Pick an area that receives at least six hours of full sunlight each day. Strawberries grow best in well-draining soil that’s at least 6 to 8 inches deep, and also your garden box should be at least 12 inches wide. Apply 1 pound of compost per 1 square foot of soil before planting, or employ 1/2 pound of 10-10-10 fertilizer for each 25 square feet of soil. Till the soil to help spread the compost or fertilizer nutrients and also to increase soil drainage and aeration.
Choosing the Time and Spacing
Whenever you plant and the space you space strawberry plants can ensure they have the right room and temperatures. University of California Integrated Pest Management Online recommends planting strawberries in August in regions with mild winters for a little fall harvest and larger spring crop. Space the plants about 18 inches apart in rows. Strawberry plants have a tendency to propagate as they grow. So rows should have at least 4 feet. Therefore, most garden boxes accommodate just 1 plant or one row of plants. An alternate planting arrangement at a large, elevated garden box or in a boxed increased bed will be to plant strawberries in small mounds of soil spaced 2 to 3 feet apart.
Digging Holes and Caring for Young Berries
Good planting and care are essential for strawberries to prosper. Dig planting holes large enough for the roots to spread out without being bent. Plant each strawberry plant at precisely the same soil depth where it grew in its nursery pot, together with the midpoint of every plant’s crown — where the roots and stems meet — flat or slightly above the ground surface rather than under. Water plants immediately after planting. Strawberries need consistent moisture, particularly because their roots grow shallowly, but their soil shouldn’t be soggy. They generally require their soil to consume 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Frequent watering may be necessary for the plants due to the elevated garden box or boxed increased bed’s drainage properties. Keep the box weeded to ensure that weeds don’t use up all of the soil nutrients and moisture.