Oliver Pemberton
Why grow strawberries in hanging baskets?
If you have limited ground space, or you're simply tired of slugs beating you to your strawberries, a hanging basket could be the answer. Strawberries are naturally sprawling plants that send out runners, but they also adapt beautifully to life in a basket. Raising them off the ground keeps the fruit clean, away from soil-borne pests and within easy reach for picking. In a sunny, sheltered spot, a well-planted basket can crop heavily from early summer right through to autumn, depending on the variety. It also looks lovely — the white flowers and red berries trailing over the sides make an attractive feature on a patio or balcony.
Choosing your basket, liner and compost
Size matters. A basket that is too small will dry out quickly and starve the plants. Aim for a diameter of at least 30cm (12in), and preferably 35–40cm. A wire basket lined with coir, moss or a purpose-made liner is ideal, but plastic baskets with built-in reservoirs also work well. If you use a wire basket, line it with a thick layer of moss or a coir liner, then add a sheet of polythene with a few holes punched in it to help retain moisture.
For compost, use a good-quality multipurpose compost, or a loam-based mix such as John Innes No. 2, which holds water better. Mix in a handful of slow-release fertiliser and some water-retaining gel crystals — these are a godsend for hanging baskets. How many plants? For a 30cm basket, plant three to five strawberries. A 40cm basket can take six to eight.
- 'Cambridge Favourite' — a classic mid-season cropper with excellent flavour.
- 'Elsanta' — reliable and widely grown, producing heavy crops in early summer.
- 'Albion' — an everbearing type that fruits from June until the first frosts.
- 'Mara des Bois' — a French favourite with small, intensely sweet berries over a long season.
Planting your strawberries
Spring or early autumn are the best times to plant. Bare-root runners are cheap and establish quickly, but potted plants give you a head start. Before planting, water the plants well and tease out the roots. If you're using a basket with side holes, plant through the holes from the inside, pushing the roots through and packing compost around them. For the top of the basket, simply make a hole in the compost, spread the roots out, and firm the plant in.
The golden rule is to keep the crown — the point where the leaves emerge — level with the compost surface. Bury it too deep and the plant will rot; leave it too high and the roots will dry out. Space the plants evenly around the basket, with the crowns facing outwards so the fruit hangs over the edge. Water gently to settle the compost, then top up if needed.
Watering and feeding for a sweet crop
Hanging baskets dry out fast, especially in wind and summer sun. Check the compost daily by pushing a finger in up to the first knuckle. If it feels dry, water thoroughly until it runs out of the bottom. On hot days you may need to water twice — once in the morning and again in the early evening. A self-watering basket or a drip irrigation kit can save you time and prevent disappointment. Never let the basket sit in a puddle; strawberries hate waterlogged roots.
Feeding begins when the first flowers appear. Switch from a general-purpose feed to a high-potash tomato fertiliser, diluted according to the packet instructions, and apply it once a week. This encourages plenty of flowers and plump, sweet fruit. Stop feeding when the fruit starts to colour, as too much feed at this stage can make the berries soft. Also remove any runners that the plants produce — unless you want new plants — because they divert energy away from fruit production.
Pollination, pests and problem-solving
Strawberries are self-fertile, but they need a little help to move pollen from flower to flower. In still, damp weather, gently shake the basket or tickle each flower with a soft paintbrush. Bees will do the job on sunny days, so avoid spraying any insecticides while flowers are open. Birds are the main thieves — drape a fine net over the basket once the berries begin to swell, but make sure it doesn't trap pollinators. Slugs and snails are rarely a problem in hanging baskets, though vine weevil grubs can occasionally attack the roots. If plants wilt despite watering, tip them out and check for white grubs.
Harvesting and looking after your plants
Pick strawberries when they are fully coloured and come away from the plant with a gentle tug. Taste one first — flavour is the best indicator of ripeness. Harvest in the cool of the morning for the sweetest fruit, and eat them the same day if you can. Any surplus freezes well, or can be turned into jam or ice cream.
After cropping, tidy up the plants by removing old, diseased leaves and any remaining runners. For summer-fruiting varieties, you can cut back the foliage to about 10cm above the crown and feed with a balanced fertiliser to encourage new growth. Everbearing types will keep flowering until the first frosts. To overwinter, move the basket to a sheltered spot against a wall, reduce watering, and protect it from hard frosts with a layer of fleece or straw. Strawberries can crop for two or three years in a basket, but yields decline, so it's often best to start fresh with new plants each spring.
