The Best Strawberries for Hanging Planters

Varieties

• Plant alpine strawberries or day-neutral varieties in hanging baskets. Alpine strawberries are cold-hardy relatives of wild strawberries. They produce tiny, flavorful strawberries suitable for fresh eating or drying. Day-neutral varieties produce few runners and have a compact form. They produce medium-sized strawberries throughout the summer, except during intense heat, when growth halts. Try Tristar or Tribute day-neutrals.

Planting

• Don't use regular garden soil to plant strawberries in hanging baskets. It is too heavy and will encourage rot and disease. Instead, mix 1 part sand, 1 part ground fir bark and 2 parts potting soil or good garden soil. Add 1/2 cup slow-release fertilizer to each basket. Plant strawberries in late spring after the last frost.

Plant Care

• Place the hanging basket in a location that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. Strawberries don't perform well in shade. Check the plants daily and water them to keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Remove any runners that develop. Apply a water-soluble, balanced fertilizer every three weeks once the plant begins to bloom. Container plants lose water and nutrients quickly, so closely monitor hanging baskets.

Considerations

• Strawberries in hanging baskets are more sensitive to changes in temperature than those grown in the ground. Move strawberries to a shady location during excessively hot weather. In the winter, mulch strawberries with straw and move them to a shed or garage, or grow them as annuals, replacing them each spring.