Strawberries - Sensational in Hanging Baskets
No matter what size garden you have, you can easily grow strawberries
in hanging baskets. Strawberries have small root systems so they are
ideal suited to life in a hanging basket.
As well being attractive when grown in a hanging basket, the fruit isn't
laying on the ground to spoil or rot. There is also less chance that
slugs and snails will taste the ripe strawberries before you do.
Locate your hanging basket where the plant gets at least six to eight
hours of sun per day in a sheltered spot as far away from drying winds
as you can.
Use a good potting soil mix –
Miracle Grow® has some very good soils
including their new Moisture Control which retains up to 33% more
moisture.
Even so, you'll also need to allow yourself time water your baskets
frequently – usually every day, as during summer hanging baskets will
dry out quickly in the sun and wind.
Be sure you fertilize your plants, too. Feeding then every other week
during the summer months is a must.
Helpful Hint - You can feed your strawberries the same fertilizer as you
use on your tomatoes. Strawberries fall into one of three categories:
- June Bearing
- Ever Bearing
- Day Neutral.
June bearing strawberries produce a crop once a year during a three to
four-week period, usually around late May into June or June into early
July.
Ever bearing strawberries produce two crops, one early in the season and
another crop in late summer or early fall. Day neutral types can fruit continuously from June through September.
Day neutrals prefer the cooler temperatures. They will not flower or
produce strawberries during hot dry weather. Note in catalogues some
time day neutral strawberries are incorrectly named as Ever bearing –
because they have fruit most of the season.
Strawberries - Whats “New”
New Colors in Strawberry Flowers The Pink Panda – has pink flowers
Roseberry and Rosalyne – day neutral strawberries have even more redish
flowers. They all perform equally well in hanging baskets, and with their unique
flowers make a talking point. New Strawberry –
The Strazzberry:
This new June bearing strawberry looks like a strawberry but tastes more
like a raspberry. Strazzberry is hardy in Zone 5 gardens. It bears its
fruit in June and can be ordered from the Burgess Seed & Plant Co.
catalog.
This little gem works well in Hanging Baskets and makes a delightful
jelly for those who are into preserving.
The
Alpine Strawberry – little wonder – a yellow variety, for those
looking for something completely different.. strawberry with hints of
pineapple. l
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