How to Care for Strawberry Plants in a Container Garden

Grow strawberries in a 6- to 8-inch-deep container with adequate drainage holes through its base. Drag the container to a spot with six to eight hours of direct sunlight exposure before filling it with 2/3 quality potting mix and 1/3 granulated organic fertilizer. Space plants 10 to 14 inches apart.

Water the container when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. Inspect the soil frequently, as potted plants dry out sooner than garden soil. Irrigate the plants at soil level to prevent wetting the foliage and increasing the chances of fungal diseases.

Remove flower buds on new plants to focus the energy on fruit production. Snip off blooms on day-neutral and ever-bearing plants for the initial five weeks after planting to ensure a large crop in the summer. Remove blooms on June-bearing strawberry plants the first year, and leave the plants to produce flowers and berries the second year.

Feed the strawberry plants a well-balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer two weeks after planting and again in August during the first year. Afterward, fertilize the plants after every harvest. Follow label directions for fertilizer application rates based on the size of the container.

Protect the strawberries from birds when they start to turn red. Spread cheesecloth or fine mesh netting over the pots to provide sunlight and air to enter but to deter birds. Alternatively, hang aluminum pie plates from nearby trees to frighten birds and drive them away.

Remove runners or long stems as the plants grow after fruit production, or care for them so they grow into individual plants. Runners grow along the ground and produce new plants at the ends. Clip the runners off at the point where they grow from the parent plant. Discard the clipped runners. Alternatively, start new plants from runners by placing another container with soil next to the first one and planting the young plant in it. Stake the small plant to support it. Remove the runner plant from the parent plant when it establishes roots, and care for it the same way so it remains healthy and produces succulent berries.

Move the containers to a heated garage or basement to protect the plants from freezing during the winter.