Easy Way to Grow Your Own Soft Fruits in Containers - Gardening Tips

00:16 Soft fruits make wonderful container plants.

00:26 The benefits of growing in a container include suitability for small garden space or even balcony gardening, the ability to bring plants indoors during the colder seasons for longer keeping, and ease of access near a kitchen or outdoor cooking area.

00:44 There are special containers pre-made in pottery, ceramic, etc. for growing strawberries and these come with many drainage and growth outlets.

00:53 The key to good soft fruit containers is excellent drainage.

01:01 A really good alternative to pre-made containers is to use a barrel. Drill a lot of holes in the barrel to provide drainage points. Also consider adding castor wheels to the barrel so that you can easily move it indoors to protect the plant from frost and snow.

01:12 Soft fruits that grow on canes can be grown in barrels or other large containers with good drainage.

01:17 Large terracotta pots with adequate drainage can also be considered, provided they are large enough to prevent waterlogging.

01:28 Pebbles at the base of the container are a good idea to assist with drainage, then add good quality soil over the top to about halfway. At halfway up, add another round of pebbles to create a break-up layer in between the soil, then add the rest of the soil.

01:48 There is a variety of suitable soft fruits for growing in containers, such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and figs (Brown Turkey is the best container choice).

02:13 Follow the growing instructions for the chosen fruit and keep nutrients and watering up as normal. Move the container to more or less sun as required and bring indoors or into a frost-free area during colder months.

02:23 Tips for keeping birds off strawberry plants include moving the container around the yard or into sheltered areas, using netting suspended above a tepee arrangement situated over the pot, and using whirly garden decorations that move in the wind.