How to keep hanging strawberries in a hanging garden in winter?

Strawberry varieties for growing on the balcony

Not all varieties of strawberries are suitable for indoor conditions. Most species that grow in open ground are extremely demanding in terms of daylight hours and the amount of soil per bush. In addition, they bear fruit only once per season.

For a small window sill or balcony area, remontant varieties are ideal. They will delight you with berries 2 times a season, laying fruit buds even in neutral daylight conditions (NSD varieties) and on young shoots of the mother bush. Under all favorable conditions, you can get a harvest within 2-4 months after planting.

Varieties that have proven themselves well:

• “Supreme.” It is distinguished by high yield and sweetness of fruits.
• “Queen Elizabeth II.” The berries of this strawberry have a pronounced sourness, but their abundance on one bush compensates for this deficiency.
• “Homemade delicacy.” Pleases with sweet, rather large berries. Suitable for small pots as it has a compact root system.
• “Darselect”. The weight of one berry reaches 80 g. Fruits abundantly.

When choosing remontant varieties, keep in mind that repeated fruiting quickly ages the plant. His lifespan is reduced to one year. At best, in the second year you will get a modest harvest of small berries.

Variety “Queen Elizabeth II”

Pay attention to ampelous varieties. It is customary to grow such bushes in hanging structures, due to their features - long flower brushes and tendrils, on which additional fruit-bearing rosettes are formed. Sometimes the length of such shoots reaches 30 cm. Popular varieties: “Ampel Geneva”, “Alyuba”, “Tuscany”, “Roman”.

“Tuscany” has unusual pink flowers

Decorative varieties of strawberries

Decorative varieties also bear fruit, but the harvest is not their main advantage. They are valued for their visual appeal. They can decorate any garden and even a park; they are suitable for viewing home decorations.

Strawberry "Pink Panda"

A variety of attractive and unpretentious strawberries. The bushes are low (15-20 cm), but elongated (up to 60 cm). Strawberries have many tendrils, thanks to which they quickly spread throughout the area, covering the soil with a dense carpet. The fruits are small and not very tasty, but the flowers are no example: bright pink, large, fragrant. Each bush is rich in buds that will delight you from May to October.

Strawberry "Pink Flamingo"

It has a small height (on average 20-25 cm), but spreads easily and quickly in width. If grown on the ground, it quickly forms a carpet, and if planted in hanging pots and flower pots, it will delight with long “vines”. Small sour fruits are rarely eaten. The flowers are large and noticeable, fuchsia-colored.

He is not afraid of high and low temperatures, diseases. It blooms outdoors from May to October, and in a greenhouse or on a warm balcony it will delight you with flowering all year round.

Strawberry "World Debut"

The strawberry variety “World Debut” has an unusual flower color for strawberries - from light pink to dark pink. Decorative remontant variety. A new long-bearing strawberry hybrid that bears fruit from the beginning of June until the first frost. The bushes look very decorative: the bushes contain both flowers and fragrant berries.

The plant is decorative throughout the season due to its continuous flowering. Long peduncles are strewn with flowers and fragrant berries at the same time. Fruits continuously throughout the season. Forms a small number of whiskers. A variety with very long peduncles is a godsend for potted plants and balconies. The berry is medium-sized, bright red, shiny. Its berries are not large, but have good taste and are dense.

Double-blooming strawberry “Rose”

Ampelous strawberries have clear advantages over other varieties of this garden plant. The main thing is that it blooms and bears fruit not only on the main bushes, but also on its tendrils at the same time. This also affects the yield, which increases significantly. Moreover, such strawberries produce berries not once per season, but at least twice - in summer and early autumn. Moreover, the first time accounts for only 20% of the harvest, and in the fall - the remaining 80%.

It is recommended to plant remontant varieties of ampelous strawberries indoors and on balconies, since, unlike ordinary ones, they bloom and bear fruit almost without interruption. This is a real temptation for lovers of these berries!

Ampelous strawberry “Roman”

Hybrid strawberry "Roman" has a unique ability - the ability to continuously bloom with pink flowers.

Other characteristics of the variety include:

• Fruiting does not depend on daylight hours and time of year. The description of the ampel strawberry variety indicates that the berries can be picked after 1.5-2 months. after planting the seedlings.
• Compact bushes reach a height of 25-30 cm, and they produce many inflorescences and tendrils. The teardrop-shaped berries are large, they have a pleasant strawberry-pineapple aroma and excellent taste.
• In protected soil conditions, ampelous strawberries can bear fruit for up to 10 months. per year.
• The first harvest can be harvested a couple of months after planting. The variety "Roman" can be used as an ornamental plant.

Growing strawberries at home

After choosing a variety, the most exciting process begins - planting and caring for plants. It comes with many nuances.

Selection and preparation of soil for strawberries

Any remontant strawberries on the balcony are sensitive to the quality of the soil. So that tender seedlings can break through the layer of soil, and the root system of the seedlings is well ventilated and moistened, it must be loose. Given this condition, you can use:

• Universal primer sold in stores.
• A mixture of peat and perlite (loosens the soil) in a 1:1 ratio.
• A mixture of chernozem, peat and humus (in equal parts), diluted with a small amount of sand or perlite.

Regardless of what kind of soil you use, it must be subjected to a disinfection procedure. To do this, the soil is calcined:

• in the oven – at a temperature of 200 °C for 8-10 minutes;
• in a microwave oven - at a power of 800 W for 1-2 minutes;
• just pouring boiling water.

After this procedure, let the earth “rest”. To do this, she just needs to be at a temperature above +5 °C. At this time, the seeds may undergo a period of stratification.

Soil loosened with perlite and ready for planting

Planting containers for homemade strawberries

When choosing a planting container for growing remontant strawberries on a balcony or windowsill, keep in mind: the smaller the volume of the container used, the smaller the lump of earth in it will be and the more the strawberry bush will lack nutrients. This means that caring for it must be especially careful.

You can choose from standard options:

1. Flower pots. In this case, each plant should have at least 2.5 liters of soil.
2. Boxes. It is important to maintain the distance between the bushes.
3. Cascade designs. Outwardly, they look like several pots stacked on top of each other. Overgrown and fruiting strawberries often completely cover such containers, which looks extremely impressive.

An original solution that allows you to rationally use the available vertical space and harvest a considerable harvest - bottled strawberries on the balcony. There are several ways to grow it this way.

• Firstly, through holes in the side walls of the bottles. After planting, they are suspended individually from supports or several pieces are fixed on a rigid frame, which is equipped with a drip irrigation system.
• Secondly, dividing the bottle into a planting container and a watering container. To do this, the bottle is cut in half. In the upper part, where the lid is screwed on, several holes are made with a nail or drill. Fill it with soil and plant strawberries. Then it is placed in the lower part, where water is first poured.

Growing strawberries on a balcony in a pipe

A PVC pipe with a diameter of at least 25 cm filled with soil can also be used as a planting container. Holes for seedlings are made in it in a checkerboard pattern. For irrigation, a perforated pipe of smaller diameter (about 2 cm) is installed inside. Water poured into it will seep through the holes, moistening the soil. Drainage at the bottom and rigid fixation of the structure are required!

Growing strawberries in a vertical PVC pipe

Planting remontant strawberry seeds

Growing remontant strawberries from seeds is quite a troublesome task. Tender seedlings require too much attention and careful care. But in this case you have the opportunity:

• “from birth” acclimatize plants to the conditions of your balcony;
• grow healthy seedlings;
• get a large number of plants for less money than when buying seedlings.

To sow, the seeds are first soaked, covered with damp gauze, a cotton pad or even toilet paper. They should remain in this state for about two days until they swell. Then they are subjected to stratification. This process is similar to seed germination in open ground in spring.

Note! The optimal sowing period is mid-February-March.

So, the moistened seed is placed in a plastic container filled with soil, several ventilation holes are made in it and put in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks. During this period, it is important that the seeds do not germinate and that the soil is always sufficiently moist. Another stratification option: a layer of snow is laid and compacted on top of the soil. Seeds are sown on it and put in the refrigerator.

Selection and preparation of seedlings

An important factor when growing strawberries is choosing healthy seedlings.

Seedlings must meet basic quality criteria:

• fibrous root system up to 7 cm long;
• leaf blades are dark green, evenly colored, pubescent or leathery;
• rhizome is wet;
• horns with a thickness of 0.7 cm;
• the rhizome entwines an earthen ball (when purchasing seedlings with a closed root system);
• absence of dark and light inclusions, spots, rot and plaque on the leaves.

Further preparation of seedlings depends on the type (closed or open ground) and the chosen storage method. The general rule for all methods is treatment with fungicides. To disinfect plants from fungal infections, the bushes are treated with “Fitosporin” or another acceptable drug according to the instructions. It is also important to check the moisture of the root system. Do not store bushes with dried out rhizomes.

How to preserve strawberries in winter

Strawberries can not only be grown on the balcony, but also preserved in winter. To ensure a comfortable wintering, plants need to be properly prepared:

• all the shoots from which the fruits were collected are cut off;
• Moisten the soil before wintering.

To organize storage, you will need two cardboard boxes, one of which should be slightly smaller. Styrofoam is placed at the bottom of a large box or sawdust is poured. Then they put a smaller box, filling the empty space on the sides with the same insulation. The free space is filled with containers with plants. By the way, the top layer of soil in it can also be covered with sawdust.

During storage, strawberries need to be ventilated and watered several times. But doing this in severe frost is strictly prohibited!

In such an insulated cellar, strawberries will also easily survive the winter

Even an inexperienced gardener can grow strawberries on a balcony. It is enough to monitor the seedlings and adjust their care in time.

Ampel strawberry is more of a conventional name that we use when looking at the hanging bunches of berries. This method of growing strawberries became so popular in the Baltic countries.

The fashion for the hanging method of growing strawberries has come to us, which is not surprising. Throughout the season, from spring to autumn, the plants are decorated with alternating flowers and delicious berries, which most of us have enjoyed since childhood.

However, with the advent of autumn and the first cold, the question arises of how to preserve the plants grown on the balcony hanging garden? Today we will present three proven ways to keep hanging strawberries in your home garden in winter!

Hanging strawberries , also called hanging strawberries, produce long fruiting shoots. These stems may droop if the strawberries are planted in pots, either on a balcony balustrade or in a hanging pot. Also, it looks good if you lift it on supports.

When these strawberries bloom and bear fruit, they look great. But, most importantly, these varieties of strawberries bear fruit continuously, so this colorful show lasts throughout the season, and the last harvest of berries can be harvested in the fall, before frost sets in.

How to replant strawberry bushes

Prepare containers for planting strawberries. Since we will be replanting adult fruiting bushes with a large lump of earth, containers should be chosen with a volume of 3-4 liters. For compact bushes of small-fruited strawberries, you can use two-liter containers. It is also convenient to plant bushes in long boxes at least 20 cm high.

There should be holes at the bottom of any container to drain excess water. Therefore, take care of the pallets in advance.

Place a drainage layer (expanded clay or pebbles) on the bottom of the pot or box, then fill the container halfway with soil. You can use special soil for growing strawberries or prepare it yourself by mixing lowland peat, humus, compost and sand in a ratio of 3:3:3:1.

Water the soil in the pot. Dig up a bush with a large ball of soil and carefully place it in the pot. If you do not disturb the clod of earth surrounding the roots, the plant will quickly adapt to new conditions and continue to bear fruit.

Add the required amount of soil without filling the growing point, water it with the addition of a biofungicide based on Bacillus subtilis or Trichoderma. Then remove the containers with the transplanted bushes into partial shade.

Wintering strawberries in the room

Ampelous strawberries , which grow in pots, can also be moved to rooms protected from frost in winter, but cold enough, where winter temperatures will be close to 0 ° C.

This could be a basement or attic, but it is important that the room is bright, has access to light and air, and is protected from getting wet. After moving the strawberries indoors, we carefully water them, and then throughout the winter we take care to keep the soil in the pots slightly moist (but not waterlogged). Watering once every two weeks is usually sufficient.

Starting in spring , the plants are taken out of the rooms in which balcony strawberries are stored into the street during the day and hidden at night. On an ongoing basis, strawberries are left on the balcony or terrace at a time when the risk of night frosts passes, that is, from the second half of May.

Can strawberries be grown in pots?

The depth of the strawberry root system is small, which makes it possible to place the crop in a pot. Outside, you can plant any favorite variety in a container. The main thing is to choose a container of comfortable sizes for it, suitable soil and a sufficiently lit place .

If you want not only to get delicious berries grown in a pot, but also to make a decorative element out of the planting, then you should give preference to remontant hanging varieties of strawberries. Some of them look very decorative, bloom for a long time and, among other things, produce good harvests.

To grow at home, you need to choose day-neutral varieties. This will allow you to get sweet berries all year round.

Important! 100 g of strawberries contain 98% of the daily requirement of vitamin C. Thanks to its composition of nutrients, this sweet berry reduces the level

“
bad
”
cholesterol in the blood and improves cardiovascular activity.

Wintering strawberries on the balcony

If you do not have a garden where plants can be transferred to the ground or storage rooms where plants can overwinter, then a balcony can also be successfully used for storing hanging strawberries. Containers with plants are placed in a suitable large cardboard box.

In its lower part, polystyrene is laid as an insulating layer. On the sides of the pots, crushed pieces of polystyrene, sawdust or torn newspapers are poured so that the entire box is filled with insulating material.

We also cover with protective material . Some gardeners use additional protection by wrapping the box with agrotextiles. It is important to use breathable materials that allow air and moisture to pass through.

During periods of thaw, we unwrap the boxes and lightly water the plants. The soil in the pots should be kept slightly moist to prevent the strawberry roots from drying out. Thus, you can keep strawberries on the balcony from winter until spring.

In the spring , when the boxes warm up, we gradually open them, initially exposing the plants only for a day to allow them to adapt.

Features of the growing method

The method of growing strawberries in pots has recently become increasingly popular. It has many advantages compared to growing in beds.

Advantages

• This method of growing may be of interest to the following:
• Plants grown in pots can make beautiful and interesting decorations. Using various devices, you can use them to create beautiful vertical gardening. You can use flowerpots or structures for laying out a pyramid for this, or decorate a fence or recreation area. A hanging pot with blooming ampelous strawberries can decorate a balcony, kitchen or local area.
• Space saving. If you don’t have enough sunny space on your site, then pots of strawberries can be placed on a sun-lit paved area, placed on a shelf attached to a fence or wall, or placed on the roof of the garage. Multi-tiered accommodation options are the most economical.
• Ease of movement. Such “beds” can be easily moved from one place to another. For example, during periods of scorching sun and heat, it is convenient to move the pots to a less hot place. During cold weather, they can be placed indoors and thereby extend the period of fruit production.
• It is more convenient to collect fruits from a strawberry bush growing in containers, especially if you place them at a level that is comfortable for you.
• The berries do not touch the ground and, as a result, are less susceptible to spoilage and contamination.
• Possibility of creating better conditions. A pot with a plant can be placed in a place with the desired level of lighting, removed from the street during hail or excessive precipitation, moved to a warmer place, or changed the soil.

Flaws

• The method of growing strawberries in containers has some disadvantages:
• Incurs material costs. This method requires the purchase of suitable containers and devices.
• Variety You will have to carefully approach the choice of planting material with certain varietal characteristics. After all, not every variety is suitable for year-round cultivation at home or for vertical gardening.
• Labor costs. It will take time to plant, replant and more frequent watering. The soil in containers dries out and depletes faster than in garden beds.

Did you know? Strawberries contain antioxidants and ellagic acid, which regulates the cell cycle and strengthens the immune system, which makes its consumption prevent cancer.

Pruning strawberries before wintering

The main rule for getting a good harvest next year is to cut off fruit shoots on which strawberries no longer bear fruit, because in subsequent years they will produce abundant berries only on new shoots.

This pruning can be done in the fall. But this procedure can also be carried out in the spring, when the plants need to be further reviewed and old leaves or damaged shoots removed.

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Worth knowing! Strawberries grown on the balcony bear fruit for 2-3 years. After this period, you should replace the strawberry plants with new ones and again enjoy a delicious harvest from your balcony.

And for those who like to know more, we suggest you watch the video about ampelous strawberries

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1 comment

The ampelous strawberries overwintered on the windowsill, because... We live in a sharply continental climate and the frosts are severe. Is there some way to “wake her up” or does she wake up on her own?

Even if you live in the city, you can grow strawberries, like other plants or herbs, on your own balcony if you provide it with the right conditions.

How to preserve seedlings before planting

The technology for placing seedlings for storage depends on the type of bush and the chosen method.

To store plants in boxes with moss, follow these instructions:

1. Prepare boxes with lids.
2. Place moss on the bottom of the boxes.
3. Lightly shake the earthen ball from the roots.
4. Moisten the roots.
5. Place the seedlings in boxes.
6. Cover the containers with a lid.
7. Transfer the containers to a basement or cellar with the optimal microclimate described above.

Frigo technology for seedlings with an open root system involves the use of a refrigerator. Before placing the seedlings, adjust the temperature in the device.

Prepare the plants themselves according to the following algorithm:

1. Prepare clean plastic bags.
2. Sort the seedlings by size.
3. Lightly moisten the plant roots.
4. Place the bushes into bags according to sorting.
5. Place plastic bags with seedlings in the refrigerator.

Autumn seedlings can be stored in this way from the end of September until April.

How to grow strawberries on the balcony

Certain varieties of strawberries and strawberries can grow on the balcony in flower pots or in special containers, and delight you with delicate berries almost all year round.

Strawberries on the balcony

Of course, strawberries will grow better on a sunny balcony, but on a northern balcony they can also be grown with lighting.

Strawberries in a vertical container

What varieties of strawberries can be grown on the balcony?

There are many remontant varieties of strawberries and strawberries suitable for pot growing. These are both bush and hanging varieties. Among them, large-fruited ones are especially valued - “Home Delicacy”, “Moscow Delicacy”, “Sarian”, “Elan”, “Alyuba”, “Elizabeth II” and many others. Interesting varieties of strawberries with smaller berries, but with pink flowers - “World Debut”, “Florian”, “Roman” “Tuscany”, “Tarpan”, etc.

Strawberry Tuscany

Low plants (up to 15 cm) with dark green, dense, shiny leaves, dark pink flowers and bright cone-shaped berries.

Thanks to long peduncles, unusual flower colors, and almost continuous flowering, this plant looks great in hanging baskets and flowerpots; it can be used to decorate a loggia, balcony or veranda.

This hybrid produces a large number of flowering tendrils that take root easily, forming a dense carpet strewn with flowers and berries. It has high frost and drought resistance and produces a good harvest of fragrant berries.

Remontant varieties of strawberries

For growing on the balcony, it is preferable to use remontant varieties, which can produce a harvest in the first year after planting.

Special varieties of strawberries for the balcony are called “remontant”. They have a characteristic feature - they bear fruit not once a year, but several times. In one season, this species can produce a good harvest 2, 3, or even 4 times! Varieties of the first subspecies can bear fruit twice a year - in July and between summer and autumn. True, not all bushes are able to withstand such a load: after harvesting, they completely die.

Strawberry "Tarpan"

These strawberries have been bred specifically for hanging baskets and containers, making them an ideal choice for gardeners with limited space! It is a hybrid of neutral daylight hours (fruit buds are formed every 5-6 weeks, and they develop in 14-16 days). It blooms 85 days after sowing, and bears fruit after 110-120 days. It blooms all summer with large semi-double flowers of deep pink color.

Strawberry "Tarpan"

The beautiful plant will produce medium to small sized conical fruits throughout the summer. Delicious bright red elongated berries, good for direct consumption. The fruits have a rich aroma and pleasant taste. Strawberries are good for making jams or preserves. The berries also freeze well.

Weekly fertilizing with complete fertilizer will promote a good harvest. The compact size of the bushes is suitable for growing in pots and hanging containers.