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Can you grow strawberries in a vertical garden?

Here are the best ways to create a vertical strawberry garden

Growing your own fruitful strawberry plants can be one of the most exciting ways to enjoy delicious, ripe strawberries each and every spring. And, believe it or not, the way you grow them is getting a makeover. Growing strawberries is taking a vertical turn for the best, offering up the most delicious harvests you can imagine. So, check out what vertical growing is all about and how to grow your very own vertical strawberry garden in the most efficient way possible.

Strawberries being grown vertically on a wall
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Can strawberries grow vertically?

The very simple answer: Yes! Strawberries are very versatile and hardy plants, making them easy to grow in a variety of planters, locations, and environments.
Although strawberries are typically grown horizontally in rows on the ground, that doesn’t mean you can’t switch up their position. Vertical growing can be perfect for those with limited space. You can create tall structures, allowing the strawberry plants to grow out parallel to the ground.

All your strawberry plants will need is the same watering, sunlight, and attention that they would otherwise get in the ground.

Rows of strawberry in a vertical gardenon wooden wall in a summer garden
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What is the best planter for strawberries?

The absolute best type of planter for a strawberry is one that mimics vertical growing walls. This type of pot features holes in various locations around the container. To plant, you simply poke the strawberry plants through the holes, leaving the roots buried in the compact dirt within the pot. This type of planter is ideal for strawberries because they are very little maintenance to begin with.

They really just require enough sunlight and water to get the job done. This type of planter also prevents the fruit from touching anything but the air, resulting in a much smaller chance of bacterial growth on the strawberries. Since strawberries have a shallow root system, this type of planter offers just enough soil for them to sit comfortably.

This hole-filled container can be bought or created on your own with a drill. Either way, it is an affordable, handy option to try that will result in vibrant, juicy red berries.

Hanging strawberry planter
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Do hanging strawberry planters work?

Hanging strawberry planters are a great way to grow luscious, delicious, fresh fruit right at home. The great thing about hanging planters is that they can fit nearly anywhere, making them a great option for anyone with limited space. Strawberry plants flourish in this type of environment because they offer plenty of growing space for the strawberries and compact soil for the roots to grip.

When it comes to getting a hanging strawberry planter of your own, it is important to ensure that you have a good space for proper growth. Ensure that the area you choose has plenty of sun and little to no wind.

A terracotta pot made into a strawberry tower, with holes in the side from which strawberry plants grow, on a table in a garden
Steve Cymro / Shutterstock

How do you make a strawberry tower?

A strawberry tower is essentially a tall, cylindrical container that has holes cut into it for the strawberry plants. It is then filled up with nutrient-rich soil, fitted with lush, green strawberry plants, and placed in the sun for plenty of light. Making a strawberry tower can be easy when you have the right materials and tools to get the job done efficiently. To start, you’ll need:

  • A tall, thin container as your base — something like a five-gallon bucket
  • Hole drill bits
  • Landscape fabric
  • Nutrient-rich soil
  • Strawberry plants
  • A sunny area

To begin, cut holes about two inches apart in all directions around your tall, thin container. Using hole drill bits will ensure a clean and circular opening that will be perfect for the plants. Next, line the interior walls with the landscape fabric and cut X-shaped slits where the fabric overlaps the opening to the holes. Fill the container with healthy soil and delicately push the roots of each plant into the openings on the sides of the bucket. Place your strawberry tower in a bright, sunny area and water it daily to enjoy a fruitful harvest of strawberries each year.

Strawberries being grown vertically
Image used with permission by copyright holder

There are a multitude of ways to grow your own delicious strawberries right at home. These methods and tactics offer you a way to be creative and find what works best for you. By growing vertically, you not only save space but also create a stunning wall of beautiful plants to enjoy. From strawberry towers to hanging planters, you can grow this delicious red fruit in any direction.

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Learn what to do to add this vibrant plant to your space
A mandevilla plant with one red flower

 

Mandevilla, also called rocktrumpet, is a beautiful tropical plant native to South America, Central America, and even the southwestern part of North America. This gorgeous flowering vine looks stunning in containers and climbing up walls or trellises. If you have a vertical garden or are planning to start one soon, then mandevilla should absolutely be on your list of plants to consider. You’ll love seeing their vibrant flowers, which come in shades of red, pink, white, and yellow. Excited to start growing your own mandevilla plants? This guide will answer all your questions, from planting to problem-solving!
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Plant these next to your tomatoes for a thriving harvest
Tomato plant preparing for harvest

When building out your summer garden, you might have tomatoes on your mind. With ample sunlight, well-draining soil, and a sturdy trellis, you’ll be able to start a healthy and delicious crop. Luckily, there’s no shortage of delicious tomato companion plants out there that help repel pests, bring in pollinators, and improve fruit yield. When planning your garden beds and borders around tomatoes, here are the best plants to keep by their side.
1. Borage

Borage, a flowering herb with star-shaped blue flowers, goes well with tomatoes because it helps repel destructive tomato hornworms, which feed on tomato leaves and fruits. It also attracts pollinators thanks to its blossoms. You’ll commonly find tomatoes, borage, and squash planted together because squash shares similar care requirements as tomatoes and benefits from borage's pollinator-attracting properties. What's great about borage is that you can also use it as a garnish on your dishes.
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Strawberries on the vine at varying levels of ripeness

Strawberries are delicious and incredibly versatile. From topping baked goods to mixing into smoothies or just eating plain, there’s nothing quite like a fresh strawberry. It doesn’t get much fresher than straight from your garden, and luckily strawberries are easy to grow. They’re even easier to grow with proper companion planting. Choosing the right companion plants can give your strawberries a nice boost, so here are the best strawberry companion plants, and the ones that are better to avoid.
Cosmos

Cosmos are beautiful wildflowers that are remarkably easy to grow. They won’t compete with your strawberries for space, nutrients, water, or even time! Once planted, cosmos flowers require little care. Aside from occasional deadheading, you can let your cosmos take care of themselves and focus on your strawberries. In addition to just being beautiful, cosmos flowers are highly attractive to pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and ladybugs will all be drawn to your garden, which is good news for your strawberries. Cosmos also pair well with other strawberry companion plants, so you don’t need to worry about choosing just one companion for your strawberries.
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