Overview

Strawberry pots are the ideal solution for gardeners who are short on garden space, or for people who simply enjoy having fresh strawberries as near as a balcony, patio, or front step. Strawberry pots are terra cotta or plastic planters with small pockets evenly spaced around the sides of the container, allowing several strawberry plants to grow in a very small space. They are inexpensive, can be reused for many years and will add an old-fashioned charm to your outdoor environment.

Step 1

Purchase a strawberry pot at a garden center or nursery. Plastic containers are least expensive and hold moisture well, but they are lightweight and can easily be blown or knocked over. Soil will dry out faster in a terra cotta clay pot, but the pot will be sturdy and won't easily blow over. Choose the size of pot according to your needs, and be sure the pot has a drainage hole in the bottom.

Step 2

Buy enough strawberry plants to fill the strawberry pot. You will need one strawberry plant for each pocket, plus an additional three or four plants for the top.

Step 3

Place a shard of broken pottery, a layer of gravel or a piece of wire mesh over the drainage hole in the bottom of the strawberry pot to prevent potting soil from washing through it.

Step 4

Fill the strawberry pot with commercial potting soil up to the bottom pocket. Tuck a strawberry plant into the pocket and tamp the soil gently around the roots.

Step 5

Scoop enough potting soil into the strawberry pot to bring the soil level up to the next pocket, and insert a strawberry plant in the pocket. Continue planting one pocket at a time until all the pockets have been planted.

Step 6

Continue adding potting soil to the strawberry pot until the soil level is within 1 to 2 inches of the top of the container. Plant three or four strawberry plants in the top of the container.

Step 7

Add a small handful of sphagnum moss to each pocket, tucking it around the plant. Sphagnum moss will conserve moisture and prevent soil from washing out of the pockets.

Step 8

Water the potting soil thoroughly through each pocket and at the top. Keep the potting soil moist, and check it daily during warm weather. Remember that strawberry plants in containers will dry out much faster than strawberries grown in the ground.

Step 9

Set the strawberry pot where it will be in full sunlight for at least 4 hours each day. If you live in a hot, dry climate, place the pot in shade during hot afternoons. Rotate the strawberry pot every three to five days so all of the plants get plenty of sunshine.