Snacking on refreshing strawberries from a lounger on the balcony doesn't have to remain a dream. A wealth of delicious varieties easily thrive in the planter. Here we explain what to look out for when planting and caring for strawberries on the balcony.

The ideal location

Strawberries are real children of the sun. The more sun rays hit the fruits, the more delicious their taste. Herbaceous plants thrive on a south-facing balcony. In a partially shaded location, you don't have to do without strawberry fun, because wild strawberries or monthly strawberries can be planted here.

Recommended substrate - suitable planters

Strawberry plants are among the typical heavy feeders. This assignment already indicates that they need a nutrient-rich substrate. At the same time, this should be loose in nature so that the roots can establish themselves well. The following qualities are recommended:

  • high-quality potting soil based on compost, enriched with perlite (€37.51) or expanded clay
  • alternatively good garden soil mixed with compost, horse manure or rotted manure
  • ideally add some peat, bog or rhododendron soil for the acidic component

Balcony boxes (€109.00) are the perfect planters for almost all strawberry varieties. Hanging strawberries are the ideal candidates for hanging baskets, while the climbing varieties are preferably grown in boxes with an integrated trellis.

Planting strawberries on the balcony is that easy

Every garden center has a large selection of pre-grown young plants from spring onwards. So that you can nibble on refreshing strawberries all summer long, we recommend growing mixed varieties with divergent harvest times. Planting is always done according to the following scheme:

  • Create a drainage in the planter above the bottom opening with potsherds or gravel
  • fill in the substrate and drill a hole in it with twice the volume of the root ball
  • plant the young plant so deep that the heart bud is not covered with soil
  • maintain a planting distance of 20 to 25 centimetres

Finally, water the strawberry plants well and spread a layer of mulch. Suitable materials are straw, compost, leaves or pine needles.

Uncomplicated care program

If the location and soil conditions are right, strawberries on the balcony do not require particularly complex care. The focus is on adequate water and nutrient supply. The substrate must neither dry out nor be completely soaked. Since strawberries appreciate a slightly acidic environment, collected rainwater is the preferred choice.

As a fertilizer we recommend natural materials such as compost, horse manure or ferns. Artificial fertilizers transport substances into the strawberries that nobody would like to eat. Hobby gardeners without their own compost resort to adequate commercial products, which are now available as pellets or liquid fertilizer.

tips and tricks

Potassium significantly improves crop yield, flavor and shelf life of strawberries. A natural supplier of this nutrient is comfrey, also known as beeweed. Use the leaves of comfrey in the bed and in the planter on the balcony as mulch, the cell tissue strengthens, the fruits ripen better and the plant is more resistant to diseases and pests.

Category:

Vegetable garden