Strawberries on the balcony: choice of variety, growing features

In the absence of a summer house, the craving for gardening can be fulfilled by growing berries, herbs and some vegetables in a city apartment. In spring, plants will green up the place on the balcony, in winter on the windowsill. For example, strawberries on the balcony will bring both berries and decorate the place. Getting a harvest will require effort, the right conditions and care.

What varieties of strawberries are suitable for growing on the balcony?

The following varieties are suitable for growing on the balcony:

Supprim. Considered No. 1, both for open ground and for balconies. It pollinates itself and has high yields throughout the year at a stable temperature of at least 14°C. In winter and summer, up to 2 kg of berries are harvested.
Queen Elizabeth. The variety is perfect for an ordinary garden. Every gardener knows IT. At the same time, this is a great option for a room. For a large harvest, a capacity of at least 50 liters is required. Requires phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers. The taste is sour.
Homemade delicacy. Suitable for windowsill, does not require large capacity. 3 liters of soil is enough for one bush. In one harvest it produces 25-30 large berries. Since there is no wind or insects on the balcony, you need to pollinate by hand.
Kama. The berries are dense and sweet. Suitable for jam or transportation. Requires a lot of light and fertilizer.
Sarian. The best indoor plant. Not afraid of cold air, diseases, resistant to parasites. Low yield, used more as an ornamental bush with beautiful flowers.

Strawberry variety Supreme

Methods of growing crops

Due to the limited area of the balcony “vegetable garden,” you have to carefully consider how to grow strawberries. Gardeners have accumulated a lot of experience in planting; the choice depends on the location of the loggia windows and the size of the room.

Planting in pots and boxes

For strawberries, use containers that are not too deep, otherwise the soil will not dry out. Volume per plant - 3 liters. Each bush is planted in such pots. In boxes with a volume of 10-15 liters - 3-5 pieces.

The depth of the containers is 15-20 cm, no more. Be sure to add drainage to the bottom and make holes to drain excess moisture. Place pots and boxes in rows and use hanging flowerpots. Some gardeners grow strawberries in plastic bottles (5 liters) with the top cut off.

In pipes: convenient and simple

Another option is when strawberries are planted in pipes on the balcony. In this case, an improvised “bed” is placed vertically or horizontally. Mount plastic pipes on a free wall, like a rack.

One common or single holes (on top) are made in the pipe for bushes. Small holes are drilled from below for drainage and covered with mesh. They pour soil into the pipe and plant strawberries.

For a vertical structure, you will need two pipes of different diameters (for example, 50-60 cm and 4-6 cm). The smaller one will serve as a container for irrigation and fertilizing. A large pipe is filled with soil.

This method saves space and bushes get sick less often. Strawberry vertical “beds” look attractive, while the plants receive the necessary amount of moisture and are evenly illuminated.

On a note! In vertical pipes, the soil dries out quickly. It is recommended to monitor the humidity level and add water regularly.

Pyramids

Often pyramids of boxes, racks or pots are installed on balconies. The result is a multi-level design, which is especially convenient in small areas. It’s easy to make a pyramid yourself or purchase ready-made racks in specialized stores.

It is desirable that the strawberries receive a sufficient amount of light (at least 6-8 hours), so it is recommended to periodically rotate the structure. Growing in pyramids allows you to rationally use the balcony space and plant several bushes in a small area. In such multi-tiered compositions, ampel varieties of garden strawberries look especially attractive.

Growing strawberries on the balcony all year round

The experiment will be successful if you have a glassed-in balcony that receives sunshine for at least 6 hours a day. To improve the result, artificial lighting is used using energy-saving fluorescent lamps.

Benefits of growing:

bushes do not take up much space, for which even limited space is suitable;
sweet and juicy strawberries will always be at hand, which is very nice, especially for children;
easy to care for;
pests and diseases are quickly detected and neutralized;
you are confident in the safety of the fruits;
harvest at any time of the year;
a source of your pride.

Attention ventilation! Arrange it only in calm, warm weather, otherwise you will freeze sensitive bushes.

Ways to grow strawberries on the balcony

Several of the most convenient methods have been developed for growing fruits near an apartment.

Hanging pot. The plastic container is attached to a horizontal beam or hook using ropes. Garden stores sell special pots with holes, but they are more expensive. You can easily do it yourself: use a hot nail to make holes on the sides and in the market. Connect the parts with threads and hang.
Whatnot. Its meaning is like a pyramid. The lower tier is a large flowerpot where you can plant 5-6 plants. A cylinder is placed inside, onto which a smaller container is attached. The smallest top tier can accommodate one bush.
Solid rectangle. Soil is poured into an ordinary box with holes at the bottom and sprouts are planted. The disadvantage is that the seedlings are densely planted and will merge as they grow. This method is inconvenient because the berries ripen later due to their close proximity.

Photo of growing strawberries on the balcony

Look at the photo of strawberries on the balcony. Appetizing, aromatic, it beckons. Many novice gardeners have appreciated the benefits of a mini-greenhouse.

Children love strawberries. Contains vitamins A, C, iron, potassium, folic acid. Quenches thirst in the summer heat and refreshes in spring and autumn. Increases resistance to colds. Has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system. Helps with sore throat.

Rules of care

The main care is regular watering. Plants absorb the most moisture during flowering and when the berries are set. Watering is carried out like this. You constantly need to add water to the saucer under the pot. If strawberries grow in boxes or containers, water directly to the bud. But this must be done very carefully so that the plant itself does not get wet.

Note. Fungal diseases may appear on wet stems, flowers and berries (due to improper watering).

You can’t go anywhere without fertilizer.
But watering alone is not enough. Plants should also be fed regularly. As a top dressing, choose liquid fertilizers for vegetables and plants that bear fruit. The best option is considered to be natural fertilizer, for example, vermicompost.

Watch carefully to ensure that no fungus or pests appear on the plants. If this happens, act with lightning speed! If gray mold has formed on the leaves, the affected parts of the plant should be removed and then treated with Zircon.

With proper care, the strawberries on your balcony will bear fruit for about three years. After this, the old bushes need to be updated, replacing them with new ones.

Strawberry varieties for growing on the balcony

Garden strawberry “Tarpan”

Let's look at four species that are easy to grow in an apartment:

Tuscany. Low plants, cone-shaped, red-pink berries. The length of the unusual pink peduncles is 30-40 cm. It produces many mustaches and the bushes are curly. Looks decorative in baskets.
Tarpan. The variety was bred for hanging flowerpots. An excellent choice for those who have little space. A distinctive feature is the bright red flowers that appear 85 days after sowing. Berries are formed every 4-5 weeks. The ripening period lasts up to two weeks.
Tristan. The pride of a balcony greenhouse. Has large crimson flowers. The berries grow downwards and have a sweet taste. Fruits all summer: from late May to early October. Practically not susceptible to infection by viruses and fungi.
Other species that bear fruit 2 or 3 times in the first year. Queen Elizabeth is popular. Festival grapes ripen in May and September. Desnyanka is a sweet berry for jam.

Growing remontant strawberries - harvesting berries on the balcony and windowsill

The advantages of remontant strawberries are obvious: continuous flowering, long-term fruiting and high yield. Its peculiarity is that the buds are laid in the spring, and then develop throughout the year.

There are two types:

small-fruited - tastes like forest fruit;
large-fruited - similar in appearance to strawberries.

Large-fruited strawberry

Many species do not produce whiskers, so propagation is carried out mainly using seeds. In February-March they are planted in containers with fertile soil. And then, when the sprouts get stronger, they are transplanted into a large container.

Variety of varieties

Today there is a great variety of sweet berry varieties. Among them it is easy to find those that will grow even in balcony conditions. True, varieties for balconies must meet certain requirements.

So, firstly, strawberries need to be tested for disease resistance. Secondly, study the data on the periods in which the plant begins to bear fruit: it is better to have both early and late varieties - this will make it possible to enjoy the harvest much longer.

Field strawberries do not grow well on the balcony

An equally important point is wintering strawberries on a balcony. If your loggia is not glazed, plant only frost-resistant plants.

The most suitable option for balcony cultivation are varieties that bear fruit repeatedly and form long shoots. Such plants are very beautiful, and their fruits are incredibly tasty. With proper cultivation and care of these varieties of strawberries, they will delight you with a harvest until frost. Among the varieties are “Albion” and “Temptation”

It is very convenient to grow strawberries bought in hanging pots on the balcony. If the pots are industrial, the plants are replanted.

Do you dream of getting more berries? An excellent solution would be the Frigo type. It is represented by frozen seedlings. If they are planted in the ground, fruiting will begin literally after a couple of months.

Frigo variety seedlings

Field strawberries are the most unsuitable for growing in balcony conditions. Of course, the price is inexpensive. But you will be able to collect the first harvests from it no earlier than a year after planting.

Tuscany decorative strawberries may be a good choice. Its sprouts are low (no more than 15 cm), the leaves are dense and dark green in color. The flowers are dark pink, and the berries are cone-shaped and bright. This variety blooms almost continuously. Therefore, your balcony will always delight the eye with its beauty and diversity of colors. This hybrid produces many tendrils - they are easy to root. The variety is frost-resistant, yields are high.

What do you need to know about growing strawberries on the balcony?

Let's consider the conditions for growing strawberries on the balcony:

To preserve seedlings you need a lot of light. If it is not enough, lamps are installed.
The optimal temperature for plants is from +18°C to +21°C. In the evening, +14°C is permissible.

If it is too cold on the balcony in winter, the strawberries need to be taken indoors. Trim off all leaves, tendrils and shoots. Take a large box, pour sawdust into it and place a container with sprouts. Everything is wrapped in rags and foam.

Growing strawberries on the balcony and windowsill: the secrets of a good harvest

In addition to the mandatory conditions, you need to know some secrets that will help you grow a rich harvest:

all mustaches must be removed in a timely manner so that they do not take away the juice and strength of the main bush;
the very first flower stalks are removed, stimulating the release of new ones;
water moderately without drying out the soil;
once a week the leaves are sprayed with a spray bottle;
Once every fourteen days, feed the bushes with mineral fertilizers;
take care of pollination with brushes.

Homemade delicacy. Strawberry variety for the balcony

Looks great in vertical beds. Plants up to 20 cm in length, produce few tendrils. In order to plant climbing strawberries, use: vertical pipes with holes; vertical flowerpots, trellises with niches for the ground.

Strawberry Homemade delicacy

The berry is sweet, children like it and is suitable for preserves and jams.

The container volume for one bush is at least 1.5 liters. The soil is fertile. Water for irrigation – 27-30°C.

Strawberries on the balcony. The best varieties and technologies

Let's look at the detailed instructions:

We prepare the soil for planting. Water it with a nutrient solution and leave it for a day. We make holes at a distance of 20 cm.
The seedlings must be healthy. Inspect the roots for midges and aphids.
You need to plant the bush so that it is completely in the ground, but the rosette is above the surface.
Drainage must be placed at the bottom of the pot: pebbles, brick chips, egg shells.
After planting, be sure to water with the addition of growth stimulants - Heteroauxin, Kornevin.

Growing strawberries on a windowsill from seedlings

When choosing bushes for seedlings, carefully examine them. They should be dense, hard, and have 5-6 leaves. Do not buy plants at spontaneous markets, they can easily give you the wrong variety. It is preferable to buy plants at garden centers.

Sequence of planting strawberry seedlings:

plants with light roots are prepared;
Place the seedlings in a small container and cover with soil;
put it in the basement, in a dark place for half a month;
after a period of dormancy, you need to inspect the bushes again to see if the roots have rotted;
treat the roots with a stimulating solution;
plant it in a flowerpot on the balcony.

The process is completed successfully if the first leaves appear after ten days. In a month the buds will form.

Growing strawberries on a windowsill from seeds

The main advantage of growing strawberries from seeds is the purity of the variety. When you plant seedlings, you can't be sure what species they are. Even in their own area, they can mix. Seedlings often carry pests and diseases, which will ruin the entire balcony garden.

Tip: Never collect seeds from hybrid strawberry varieties!

Overripe berries are suitable for collecting seeds. The top layer is cut off with a knife. Then it is washed and laid out on a napkin to dry. When the pulp is completely dry, it is easily separated from the seeds.

The next stage is hardening. The seeds must be wrapped in cloth and placed in the refrigerator for a month.

For the first shoots to appear, you need:

Fill a shallow container with non-nutritious, loose soil.
Place the seeds without burying them. Spray with a spray bottle.
Cover with film and place where there is a lot of light.
Watch out for condensation. If it is not there, moisten the soil with a pipette.
When 4 leaves appear, each bush is planted in a glass with soil.

You need to start planting seeds in March. Seedlings are prepared in September.

Video of growing strawberries from seeds

We invite you to see how gardeners grow fragrant berries.

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.

Moscow delicacy: strawberry variety on the balcony

The variety is interesting because the buds form regardless of the time of day. If you provide the plant with warmth and moisture, the harvest can be harvested twice: in May and August. The balcony variety differs from the garden variety in the size of the berries.

Peculiarities:

practically does not produce whiskers, reproduces by seeds;
leaf color is deep green;
the fruits are large;
does not like excess moisture during the growth period;
sweet berries of bright red color with pronounced yellow seeds;
for the winter it requires shelter, even on the balcony.

Strawberry variety Moscow delicacy

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are used as fertilizer. To enrich the soil, irrigation once every 7-8 days is sufficient.

Differences between remontant strawberries

This strawberry differs from ordinary varieties in that after the first harvest it lays new buds and sets berries. Due to its ability to bear fruit several times a year, this plant requires more frequent watering and high-quality fertile soil. On average, you can still get fewer berries from one bush than from a strawberry bush grown in the garden.

But gardeners who want to enjoy the unforgettable taste of this berry at any time of the year cannot be stopped by such troubles. A full harvest from one bush of such a plant can be obtained from mid-spring until late autumn. Remontant strawberries, unlike their garden counterparts, have poorly developed foliage, small fruits and are very short-lived. The reason for this is the constant overload of the plant with yield.

The first harvest is usually poorer than the second. The ratio of the first two harvests is approximately 30% to 70%. It is not surprising that some bushes of the plant, unable to withstand the load, die after the first fruiting. The strongest remontant strawberry bush can live up to three years.

Is it possible to grow strawberries on the balcony and harvest all year round?

The secret to a year-round harvest is in the soil. Strawberries need fertile soil. The more air gets in, the more moisture the root will receive. Specialized ones are bought in garden stores.

To prepare the mixture yourself, you need:

turf soil - 1 part;
peat - 1 part;
humus - 1 part;
sawdust - 1/3 part;
river sand - 1/5 part.

Preparation of nutrient solution:

1 tsp copper sulfate;
6 liters of water;
350-400 grams of mullein.

Strawberries in tubes

PVC pipes are great for growing strawberries. In order to plant strawberries in them, you need to cut a pipe with a length suitable for installation on the balcony. It is also additionally painted and fixed at a low height to make it look beautiful.

You also need to cut round holes in the top of the pipe for the tops of the strawberries. The plant will have enough space in the pipe to accommodate the root system. The crops can be planted close to each other; there is nothing wrong with intertwining the root system - this way the plant will continue to grow and will not get sick. It is important to remember to make small round holes at the bottom of the pipe for drainage.

You can also learn how to grow cucumbers and tomatoes on the balcony

Fruitful windowsill: how to grow strawberries in the room and on the balcony

Strawberries are unpretentious. Gardeners claim that they plant any variety in a flowerpot that bears fruit in the ground.

For the loggia, young shoots with light green leaves are chosen. Reviews from housewives indicate that it is enough to buy universal soil in the store and a larger pot for the first fruits to appear within a month.

You should try planting seedlings for the first time in May, when the weather on the balcony is warm, day and night. If your climate does not allow exposing the plant to the air, hide it on a glassed-in loggia. You can use a windowsill that receives a lot of light. For example, on the east or south side.

Windows on the north side are additionally equipped with fluorescent lamps.

During the period of active growth, strawberries need moist soil. It's damp, not wet. Excess water will cause the roots to rot. Keep air humidity at 80-85%. At this rate, watering is carried out once every three days. At lower humidity - daily.

How to plant strawberries correctly

The ideal soil for planting strawberries would be neutralized high peat, mixed in equal proportions with vermicompost. This soil has a red tint. Do not root seedlings in pots very deeply, otherwise you will prevent the appearance of new leaves. But if it is not deepened well, the roots may dry out. When planting seedlings, you need to cover half of the rhizome with soil so that all the buds and leaves remain on the surface. Good seedlings should have at least 5 leaves.

To ensure better rooting, the plant can be treated with a heteroauxin solution. Dissolve 1 tablet in 5 liters of water and upon completion of planting, water the seedling with this liquid and pour a little into the hole. The surface of the earth must be mulched.

The soil should be moist at all times, but the tray should remain dry. Under no circumstances should the soil dry out completely. It is necessary to plant seedlings in mid-spring or early autumn. Strawberry seedlings cannot be planted in soil that has been used to grow other plants. It is extremely susceptible to disease and needs clean, fresh, pre-fertilized soil.

Preparing the soil and planting seedlings

The first thing you need to take care of when you decide to grow such exotic plants for your room is quality soil. Simply adding fertile soil will do very little. You will need to do the following:

Install drainage. With its help, you can remove excess water from the vessel in which the soil for the plant will be located. To do this, you need to take a container and drill several holes in it through which water will seep into the plate. It is important that at the bottom of the vessel there is crushed stone, gravel, round stones or other objects with a diameter of at least 20 mm. They are poured to the very bottom.
Make fertile soil. To do this you will need: 1 hour of peat, 1 part of sand, 3 parts of black soil, 1 part of fertilizer (mullein) and loam. Mix all this and pour it on top of the drainage layer.
Fertilize with active elements that will act immediately. In order for the bush to take root well, it needs to be given a quick start. To do this, you can use any growth stimulants. This is only the first 2 weeks, then you can not use stimulants and get by with neutral fertilizer so that the stems do not grow too large.
Find a convenient location in a bright and warm place so that the plant can carry out photosynthesis and form organic substances throughout the day.

Seedlings are planted only in previously prepared soil, mainly in warm soil, so that the roots take root better. Before doing this, you need to trim the roots a little, as they begin to die from the tips while they are in the air. Cutting off 3-4 centimeters will be enough. This must be done with a sharp pruner or knife.

When planting in a pot, it is necessary to thoroughly fluff up all the soil, even that which is out of reach of the root system, so that the roots can grow freely to the sides. After planting, fill with water and place in a ventilated place with a temperature of at least 20 degrees, then the temperature can be reduced to 14 degrees.