Strawberry Bed or Tubs ?

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by ricky101, Aug 2, 2025.

  1. ricky101

    ricky101 Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2016
    Messages:
    3,691
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Sheffield
    Ratings:
    +4,596
    Hi,

    Starting off a new Strawberry patch and have usually grown them direct into the ground but now thinking they might be better in large tubs so the fruit can fall over the sides of the tubs and so avoid resting on the ground which means the slugs can readily get at them.
    Have used Barley straw around them in the past but it does not stop all the slugs and snails ruining the fruits.
    Only talking about 12-20 plants.
     
  2. Philippa

    Philippa Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2019
    Messages:
    1,227
    Location:
    West Somerset
    Ratings:
    +2,516
    I usually do both depending on space/spare containers. Even in containers, the fruit doesn't always just "fall" in 1 direction. I've had a good crop in both beds and containers. Not just slugs/snails but birds are also pretty quick at spotting ripening fruit too.
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
    • Adam I

      Adam I Super Gardener

      Joined:
      Nov 22, 2023
      Messages:
      617
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Hijinks
      Location:
      Hampshire
      Ratings:
      +962
      Just not those holey strawberry pots! they need irrigation or theyre useless :mute:

      I do mine in pots and they do rest on the leaves or over the side.
      Maybe consider ridges? ofc that needs control of where the suckers go.
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • Agree Agree x 1
      • Philippa

        Philippa Gardener

        Joined:
        Aug 3, 2019
        Messages:
        1,227
        Location:
        West Somerset
        Ratings:
        +2,516
        Agree about those Strawberry Planters. I'd never use those.
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • Agree Agree x 1
        • fairygirl

          fairygirl Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Oct 3, 2020
          Messages:
          4,027
          Occupation:
          retired
          Location:
          west central Scotland
          Ratings:
          +9,202
          Yeh- those 'so called' strawberry planters are worse than useless. You'd get one at the top growing quite well - as long as you blocked up all the other holes!
          I grow some in a wall basket now which helps enormously with the slug problem, and I've always grown them in pots because of the slugs. I think that Strulch stuff can be quite good for keeping the soil clear, but I've never tried it. I tend to use small branches to keep the stems lifted off the soil, which is quite useful, because, as @Philippa says, they don't just conveniently fall in one direction.
          I have lots in the ground in various places which the birds etc eat, and they provide some ground cover.
          I'm not that keen on strawberries - but I don't want to just get rid of them. Silly really. :biggrin:
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Fat Controller

            Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

            Joined:
            May 5, 2012
            Messages:
            29,787
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Public Transport
            Location:
            At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
            Ratings:
            +57,156
            I must give strawberries a shot again at some point - Having taken a thumping a couple of times round with vine weevil, I gave up.
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • ricky101

              ricky101 Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Jun 15, 2016
              Messages:
              3,691
              Gender:
              Male
              Location:
              Sheffield
              Ratings:
              +4,596
              Pegged down a load of runners last week, cannot remember their names without going out to check the labels, but early,mid and late varieties, could give you a shout in a few months if we have more than we need ?
               
              • Like Like x 1
              • Fat Controller

                Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

                Joined:
                May 5, 2012
                Messages:
                29,787
                Gender:
                Male
                Occupation:
                Public Transport
                Location:
                At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
                Ratings:
                +57,156
                Aye, that would be appreciated if you do. If not, I think I saw our local garden centre selling trays of them earlier this year. I must get some nematodes too (and some for our plum tree too)
                 
                • Like Like x 1
                • fairygirl

                  fairygirl Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Oct 3, 2020
                  Messages:
                  4,027
                  Occupation:
                  retired
                  Location:
                  west central Scotland
                  Ratings:
                  +9,202
                  That's a pity @Fat Controller . Not something I've had a problem with. The ones I have are Elsanta, which were a present from my sister when I moved into my house round the corner from here - over 30 years ago. They've come with me to each house since!
                  I've just taken runners off them, and they all seem to be fine, so -like @ricky101 , if you wanted a few, I can send some, as I won't have room for them all and they'll mainly just fill gaps in the front garden for wildlife. They're a very reliable type.
                   
                • Fat Controller

                  Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

                  Joined:
                  May 5, 2012
                  Messages:
                  29,787
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Occupation:
                  Public Transport
                  Location:
                  At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
                  Ratings:
                  +57,156
                  I wonder sometimes if it is where I am in the country as much as anything else - I had four barrels of strawberries at one point and the whole lot got devastated by vine weevil, yet when I lived in Dumfries, we never had anything like that. Similar can be said of our plums - a friend who still lives just outside Dumfries sent me photos of his haul a few weeks ago (had to be getting on for 20lb) of lovely looking plums, yet mine are only just starting to ripen now and I know before I pick any that they will all be utterly riddled with moth larvae - had the tree for years and yet to have an edible plum off it. Yet, we had rows of Damsons when I lived near Sanquhar and I could eat those straight off the tree.

                  If you've got any going spare at some point, I'd appreciate it - let me know how to send you the postage costs etc?
                   
                • fairygirl

                  fairygirl Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Oct 3, 2020
                  Messages:
                  4,027
                  Occupation:
                  retired
                  Location:
                  west central Scotland
                  Ratings:
                  +9,202
                  No worries @Fat Controller - and don't worry about postage. If you want some now, just message me and I'll get them off to you while they're small!
                  I don't think v. weevil's as bad here as in some places, but I've never really thought about it. I accidentally brought them into this garden, courtesy of a plant I bought, which was annoying. They haven't been a massive problem, apart from a bit of aesthetic damage to a few shrubs. Even the Heucheras haven't struggled too badly - I had one in a pot that needed totally cleaned up a few years back, but that's about it. I never got any real damage in any other garden I've had either.
                   
                  • Friendly Friendly x 1
                  • burnie

                    burnie Total Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Jun 2, 2016
                    Messages:
                    1,734
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Occupation:
                    Retired engineer
                    Location:
                    Angus, NE Scotland
                    Ratings:
                    +9,254
                    I have grown Strawbs for years in pots/containers and they were ok, this year I have moved some into the border in my greenhouse and we are struggling to eat them all, will not be growing them in pots again. I grow "Flamenco" a perpetual type, which here in North East Scotland do better under glass, it also cuts out the netting/bird problem too. Still picking them, though one or two are a bit "Jam" straws and a bit lumpy to look at but fab to eat.
                     
                    • Like Like x 2
                    Loading...

                    Share This Page

                    1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                      By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                      Dismiss Notice