Growing remontant strawberries on the balcony. We grow strawberries on the balcony with our own hands. Growing strawberries yourself

Strawberries are rich in vitamins, which are what we lack in winter. Many people, even living in high-rise buildings, grow strawberries on the balcony. There is nothing complicated about this, the most important thing is to know the rules and strictly follow them. Some varieties of strawberries and strawberries get along well in ordinary flower pots or in special containers. They can be grown all year round. Among the most common varieties that are grown on the balcony are the following: “Home Delicacy”, “Sarian”, “Alyuba”, “Elizabeth II”, “Alpine”. Strawberries are grown from seeds or seedlings.

Strawberries on the balcony: basic growing rules

How to grow strawberries? The most important thing is to choose the right place for growing. The ideal option is a glazed balcony, which is located on the south side. But if the balcony faces north, you can also grow strawberries, you just need to take care of additional insulation and lighting. Important - containers with plants should not be placed in drafts. Strawberries on the balcony do not like cold draft winds. At the same time, you need to ventilate the balcony every day for at least 20 minutes.

Flower pots (volume of at least 2.5 liters) can serve as containers for planting. Each bush will need a separate pot.

The plant also gets along well in balcony boxes. In this case, the distance between the bushes should not be less than 15 cm. It does not matter what the strawberries will grow in, it is important that the containers have holes at the bottom to remove excess moisture.

If preference is given to humus, sand and leaf turf, then the ratio should be 5:2:3. If peat, sand and humus are selected, then the components are mixed in equal quantities. Before planting, any soil should be steamed for 2-3 hours at 100°C to remove harmful microorganisms.

Planting can be done in the spring, the best time is the second ten days of March. If the balcony is not glazed, then the ideal time is mid-April. To help strawberries grow, the seeds should not be buried in the soil; they should be planted at an average level. In this case, the soil is moist (not wet or slightly moist). After planting, the soil is slightly compacted with your fingers.

Growing strawberries - care rules:

• Timely watering - after 12 noon every week 2 times (it is advisable to use a tray);
• Careful, shallow loosening of the soil (once a week) will help strawberries grow;
• Removing the first peduncles (if there is good lighting on the balcony, the tendrils do not need to be removed; during the growth process, peduncles and rosettes will form on them; no more than three side rosettes can bear fruit on one tendril; if the balcony is poorly lit, the tendrils are removed);
• Pollinating flowers with a watercolor brush.

It is imperative to protect strawberries from diseases and pests so that they can grow on the balcony. To do this, you need to treat the plant with special pesticides. You can use various decoctions. Hot peppers, horse sorrel, and red elderberry are suitable for this. The procedure is carried out every 8-9 days until the plant begins to bear fruit. If manifestations of the disease become noticeable, the affected areas are immediately removed.

As soon as the fifth leaf appears, you need to feed the strawberries once every 14 days. To do this, you should purchase any fertilizer and act according to the available instructions.

It is possible to make fertilizing with your own hands. A two-liter container is filled halfway with eggshell powder (it doesn’t matter boiled or raw egg), wood ash (150 g) and water are added. You need to add enough liquid to get a homogeneous mixture. It should be infused for 4 days. Then dilute with water in a ratio of 1:15 (15 parts of water).

When the thaw comes, the sawdust must be removed. There is no need to cover strawberries in a glazed balcony, provided that the temperature remains at least +5° C.

Strawberries, properly grown on the balcony, will bear fruit within three years; after this period, the bushes and soil need to be replaced.

A simple way to grow strawberries on the balcony (video)

Strawberries on the balcony - growing methods

It is not profitable to grow ordinary varieties of strawberries on the balcony because they bear fruit only once a year. An excellent alternative is remontant strawberries.

The time for planting is early February. At the same time, the plant will begin to bear fruit in August. Strawberries on the balcony can please you with berries for 3 years. The soil pattern can be of three types: a layer of high peat + a layer of turf soil + a layer of sand (6: 3: 1); layer of high peat + turf soil + layer of humus (1:1:1); layer of high peat + layer of sawdust (1:2). The soil will be more fertile and will help strawberries grow if you add vermicompost to it.

You need to grow strawberries using a surface method. Seeds are laid out on damp soil and insulated with polyethylene (glass can be used).

Do not worry if after two weeks the plant has not sprouted. The duration of its growth ranges from 2 to 31 days. As soon as the first shoots appear, there is no need to immediately open the protective film layer. For 3 days, open the container and ventilate for 30-40 minutes 2 times a day. When 3 leaves appear, picking is carried out. Here you need to be very careful, because when planting each bush in a separate container, the main thing is not to damage the strawberry rhizome. She tolerates deformation very poorly. The bush may die.

If transplanting into a box is planned, the distance between plants should not be less than 20 cm. Care should be taken to ensure good drainage. Strawberries do not tolerate too much moisture.

The plant does not like extreme heat or dry air. Cultivation is carried out in cool conditions. Therefore, in winter you don’t have to worry about its development, but in summer it is better to create conditions for its normal functioning. Strawberries need to be watered and fed in the same way as strawberries.

Strawberries on the balcony all year round

Strawberries can be grown on the balcony in bags all year round. To do this, a special substrate is placed in a bag, and holes are made around its perimeter for strawberry bushes. In this case, already grown seedlings are used. Ventilation of the room is carried out every day for 5-10 minutes 5-6 times.

This is very important, because if it is violated, the roots will rot and the plant will die.

You don’t have to do this on the south balcony. Cultivation requires a certain temperature regime - at least +5° C.

How to grow strawberries on the balcony (video)

Remontant strawberries on the balcony

Remontant strawberries are distinguished from ordinary varieties by the ability, after the first fruiting, to lay buds and set new fruits. It is grown in the standard way. But such varieties should be watered more often than regular strawberries. But there will be fewer fruits, but they can be eaten all year round. Strawberries live for 3 years.

Strawberries are planted in the same way as described above. The only rule is that watering is carried out 3 times a week in the afternoon.

Is it possible to grow strawberries on the balcony?

You can and should grow strawberries on the balcony in order to eat vitamins all year round. To do this, you must follow the planting rules and care for the plant properly.

Until recently, strawberries could only grow in the garden. Today, thanks to breeders and new varieties, strawberries grow well on the balcony, winter well and bring a good harvest.

September 8, 2016
Specialization: philological education. Work experience as a builder - 20 years. Of these, for the last 15 years he led a team as a foreman. I know everything about construction - from design and zero cycle to interior design. Hobbies: Vocals, psychology, quail breeding.

Greetings, my dear readers!

If you want to set up a mini-garden in your apartment for growing healthy and tasty crops, pay attention to strawberries. It is a storehouse of minerals and vitamins we need. It is desirable that the strawberries on the balcony and windowsill be remontant.

The berries on this plant ripen all year round and do so quickly. In addition, from an aesthetic point of view, during flowering and then fruiting, remontant strawberries are in no way inferior to decorative flowers.

About varieties of remontant strawberries that can be grown all year round

At the moment, breeders have developed a huge number of different varieties of cultivated strawberries. However, not all of them are suitable for growing indoors.

To cultivate berries on the balcony, it is optimal to choose remontant strawberries, both hanging and bush ones. It grows well and looks beautiful on the windowsills of rooms or loggias.

Optimal types

Such strawberries will bear fruit all year round. In addition, it has an impressive variety of shapes and colors of flowers, sizes and colors of berries.

Various varieties of year-round garden strawberries have white, pink or cream flowers, large, medium and small berries. The fruits of the crop are red, yellow and cream in color.

Therefore, strawberries can be a true decoration of the home. Especially if you cultivate several of its varieties, different in size and color.

Traditionally, the following varieties of berries are considered the most suitable for growing on loggias and balconies:

• "Queen Elizabeth";
• "Regina";
• "Alexandria";
• "Baron Solemacher";
• "Lord";
• "Zenga-Zengana".

Large-fruited hybrids (marked F-1), which are suitable for growing in pots, are especially valued by amateur gardeners:

• "Alyuba";
• "Home Delicacy";
• "Elan";
• "Florence";
• "Moscow Delicacy"
• "Elizabeth II" etc.

In the photo - strawberries "Yellow Miracle".

Also take a closer look at high-yielding varieties and hybrids with pink flowers of different tones and smaller but fragrant berries:

• "Sakhalinskaya";
• "Floriana";
• "Sakhalin seedling";
• "Worldwide Debut"
• "Yellow Miracle"
• "Novel";
• "Lizonka" etc.

Before growing this crop, please note that three new hybrid varieties of remontant strawberries have now appeared. They were bred by German breeders. They are already directly intended for cultivation at home. This:

• "Balcony flow";
• "Balcony Charm"
• "Balcony Cloud"

Which crop to choose for the balcony

Now I will tell you about the best, in my opinion, varieties of strawberries for growing on a loggia/balcony.

1. "Queen Elizabeth" is the record holder for yield. It has large berries, their sweet and sour taste is very pleasant. This variety is a bush variety and really needs truly royal care. The container for this crop must have a volume of at least 45 liters, and you will have to fertilize the strawberries themselves in a variety of ways and often.

If you own a small balcony, you will have to abandon the Queen Elizabeth cultivation. However, on a medium and large loggia you can perfectly combine large containers with bushes of a given crop and small hanging baskets (pots) with small-fruited berries of a different variety.

1. "Homemade delicacy." The name speaks volumes about the taste of this berry. Regarding agricultural technology, the main advantages of the variety are easy cross-pollination and a relatively compact root system.
   It is not difficult to choose a container for such a bush; it grows well in small pots. The variety has small fruits, but you can harvest a high yield of berries.
2. “Sarian” is, not without reason, considered by gardeners to be the best choice in terms of agrotechnical characteristics for do-it-yourself propagation. This plant rarely gets sick and is resistant to heat and cold. Thanks to these features, it is suitable for growing both on open balconies/loggias and on glazed ones.
   The berries on the bush ripen large and taste very good. The only negative is that Sarian’s harvest volume is small. You will only get about two kilograms of berries from each plant.

Strawberry variety "Sarian" - the royal choice

1. "Kama" is perfect for cultivation on balconies and loggias. The variety bears fruit abundantly and several times a year. The large berries are brightly colored, look very beautiful and are great for canning.
   The fruits are stored for a long time and do not lose their presentation during transportation.

1. "Supprim" is a high-yielding and parthenocarpic (self-pollinating) agricultural crop. The main advantage of the variety is its ability to bear fruit all year round and even in winter. The fruits of "Supprim" taste very sweet and are medium in size.
   This type of strawberry needs to maintain a stable temperature regime throughout the cold season of the year. As a result, this crop should be grown only on an insulated and glazed balcony or loggia.

The best potted variety for winter growing

If we mention growing strawberries all year round, then in my personal opinion the first generation hybrid F-1 “C-141” would be the best choice for this. This culture grows well in the garden, delighting others with large dark pink flowers.

However, it also develops well in pots. They can be transferred to indoor window sills at the end of the spring-summer season, when it gets cold.

In winter, these strawberries will continue to delight you with their beautiful color and fragrant, gradually ripening berries. The relative disadvantages of winter “S-141” are that the fruits in the cold season are smaller and not very sweet.

Let me introduce you to this variety in more detail.

1. The bushes of the plant are medium in size and have very large shiny leaves of a dark green color.

1. In summer, the crop grows widely due to the formation of horns. Umbrella peduncles extend above the bush, 7-10 flowers appear on them.
2. The first color is very large, comparable in size to the color of a rose hip. It has a nice dark pink tone. The berries are dark red in color and have superficial seeds.
   The shape of the berries is similar to wild strawberries: round-conical and elongated, up to 2 centimeters long. The beautiful fruits smell strong and pleasant.
3. This variety grows few tendrils. They immediately begin to bloom and are “clones” of the parent bush. As a result, these tiny copies grow into adult plants by autumn.
4. From mid-July until autumn, plantings of strawberries “S-141” are very beautiful. Above their dark green leaves, large dark pink flowers rise in real bouquets.
   At the same time, the plants, like a necklace, are constantly decorated with dark red fruits. On top of that, this beauty exudes the most pleasant strawberry aroma.

The taste qualities of the berries of this varietal hybrid are not the highest, although they are aromatic and sweet. Based on this, in the summer season it is better to choose other, more tasty types of garden strawberries for planting. And leave the S-141 for the winter.

Growing berries at home

Remontant types of strawberries on the loggia/balcony are grown from seeds. You can purchase them at any specialty store for gardeners or order them for delivery in an online store.

How to choose soil composition

The success of any event primarily depends on the correct provision of the required conditions for its implementation. Since strawberries are not a common crop for growing in an apartment, you must approach the matter in a special way. For example, carefully select the soil for the berries.

Special soil for cultivating remontant strawberries must necessarily contain equal shares (the first 4 points) of such components.

1. Peat.
2. Biologically active humus. Its role can be played by manure and poultry humus (compost).
3. Vermiculite or perlite.
4. Quartz sand. It is best if it is river. This material, unlike its quarry counterpart, contains a higher percentage of nutrients.
5. Mineral and organic fertilizers. Please note that the most environmentally friendly food for plants is wood ash.

The soil substrate for strawberries should not contain excess nitrogen compounds. Otherwise, its bushes will grow a lush crown of leaves, and few berries will be produced.

It may turn out that you have never gardened before. Then I recommend that you buy a ready-made soil substrate for it in a special store along with strawberry seeds.

Location for berry cultivation

Strawberries need the light of the sun. Based on this, it must be grown where it will receive the maximum required heat.

1. The best option for cultivating berries is a balcony on the south side of the house. The worst choice is a northern room, where the plants will have to be provided with lighting using phyto-lamps.
   On the western and eastern balconies it is necessary to additionally illuminate the bushes in the first and second half of the day.
2. If you take these conditions into account, then strawberries will delight you with berries until late autumn.

It is best to hang pots with strawberry bushes or place them not outside, but inside the loggia/balcony. These delicate plants do not like wind and excessive drafts.

Plant the seeds in the prepared substrate

Having decided on the varieties of strawberries that you will cultivate and having purchased seeds, as well as soil substrate, begin the planting work yourself.

1. Seed material for seedlings, if it is possible to provide it with additional lighting, can be sown from January to early March.
2. When there is no artificial lighting, take your time with planting. Plant in April, then there will be enough sunlight. Otherwise, the seedlings will grow rapidly and develop poorly.

Before planting, mix the seeds with disinfected sand in advance (for example, baked in the oven). It is also advisable to stratify the seeds. You can do it like this:

1. A few days before sowing, place the seeds in the refrigerator for three days.
2. Maintain a stable temperature range from -3 degrees to -5.
3. Moisten the soil before planting. Plant the seeds shallowly, only slightly covering them with soil on top.
4. To create a favorable microclimate, namely the greenhouse effect, cover the plantings with polyethylene film. A mini-greenhouse is also perfect for this purpose.

I'll tell you about another way to grow seedlings.

1. To sow strawberry seeds on seedlings, take low (8-10 centimeters) bowls or containers. They should have drainage holes and a layer of drainage itself at the bottom. Fill the containers with soil substrate consisting of a fertilized mixture of sand (one share) and light leaf soil (one and a half shares). Moisten the soil with water.
2. Please note that strawberry seeds are very small. Therefore, they need to be sown superficially and rarely. Lightly press the seeds into the moistened soil or sprinkle them with a thin layer (1-2 millimeters) of sifted substrate.

1. Next, cover the bowls with the plantings with film or glass. Periodically shake off or wipe off accumulated condensation and ventilate containers. When it dries, spray the soil with a spray bottle.
2. Until the seedlings hatch, keep the containers in the dark.
3. The desired temperature regime for seed germination is approximately +18˚. At higher temperatures, the seeds will germinate more slowly. Stratification of seed material will increase germination. To do this, it must be kept for at least 10 days at low temperatures above zero (+3/+7˚).

1. Strawberry seedlings do not germinate evenly. The first sprouts sprout after 14 days; they appear en masse after about three to four weeks.
2. When this happens, remove the film from the bowls and place the sprouts in a cool and bright area (+15-17˚).
3. When germinating seedlings, carefully moisten the soil between the tender strawberry shoots. At the same time, do not allow the soil to dry out or become excessively waterlogged. Otherwise, the seedlings will die.
4. You will have to thin out seedlings that grow too densely. Otherwise, plant development will be slowed down.

We arrange seedlings for a permanent habitat

1. Strawberry seedlings are transplanted into light nutrient soil when they grow two or three true leaves.
2. In this case, it is important to root the sprouts to the same depth level at which they sprouted before. In other words, you should not deepen or raise the core of the bush above the ground level.
3. When the sprouts take root after replanting and begin to grow actively, begin to harden them. Place the pots on the open balcony and accustom them to the sun and fresh air.
4. Plants are planted in a permanent place when the spring frosts end. As a rule, by this period of time the bushes already grow 6-7 true leaves.

1. When transplanting several sprouts into one pot or container, keep in mind that the step between them should be at least 10-30 centimeters. The specific distance between strawberry bushes depends on their variety.
2. Choose a sunny area on the balcony for pots of strawberries. Water the sprouts regularly, especially during the rooting process after planting.
3. You can achieve good fruiting only when the seedlings receive all the necessary nutrients from the ground.

Therefore, seedlings should be planted in containers that will have plenty of space for the root system to grow. My instructions are as follows: usually these are boxes, flowerpots, containers with a volume of at least 3 liters.

• The specific volume of the vessel must correspond to the selected strawberry variety.
• Ensure containers are drained. For this purpose, make holes in their bottoms so that excess water does not accumulate in the soil. Place gravel, expanded clay or small pebbles on the bottom of the vessels. This layer will help excess moisture drain out without problems when watering.
• Place soil substrate on the drainage layer. Please note that the soil for seedlings must be at room temperature. This will help the sprouts adapt and promote the growth of the root system.

I warn you that when transplanting strawberry seedlings, shaking off the soil from the roots is extremely undesirable. Even a very small damage can cause the death of the sprout.

When you are unable to replant a sprout with a soil lump, slightly trim the roots before planting. Please note that when interacting with air, the tips of the roots quickly die.

Trim the roots with sharp garden shears. When diving, make sure that the root collar is not damaged. It should not remain under the ground.

How to care for a plant

Growing strawberries on the balcony before they bloom requires close monitoring of the plants and timely care. They will be the key to a good harvest.

If the vessel size is insufficient and the balcony/loggia is poorly ventilated, the growth and development of the bushes slows down. As a result, periodically spray the plants with nutrient solutions. Fertilizing is also good as a preventative measure.

This way the sprouts will receive the additional nutritional and mineral compounds they need for health. Feed your strawberries about once every 10 days.

Pinch growing antennae regularly and promptly. This way you will help the plant to form correctly (according to agricultural technology). Then all the vital energy of the bush will begin to go into leaves, fruit set and growth, and not into expanding in breadth.

Growing and caring for remontant strawberries on the balcony also involves creating conditions for high fruiting. Here are my recommendations regarding this.

1. To improve fruiting of strawberries, remove the inflorescences that grow first. When new leaves appear on the bush in a safe quantity, do not touch the next color.

1. The formation of ovaries and the appearance of fruits can be accelerated if you periodically spray the leaves with a growth stimulator. It is also necessary to feed the roots of plants with mineral and organic fertilizers.
   At the same time, do not overdo it and strictly follow the instructions of the formulation manufacturers. Otherwise, you may get the opposite effect or completely destroy the berry plant.
2. In order for the root system and ovaries to form correctly, strawberries need replenishment with iron ions. In this case, you don’t have to buy store-bought products.
   Bury small pieces of corrosive iron into the soil. During oxidative processes, plants will receive the necessary substances.

1. You will have to pollinate the female flower yourself. A soft small brush or a wad of cotton wool is suitable for this purpose.

Strawberries will produce their first harvest 4-5 months after sowing the seeds. 2-3 years after planting, strawberry bushes grow very much. To rejuvenate them, dig up the plants, divide them and plant them in a new container.

What is necessary for culture in winter

The main advantage of strawberries is that they are a perennial crop.. Its bushes will delight you with their color and fruits for several years. Based on this, provide a comfortable winter for the plants (if they are not remontant):

1. In the second ten days of October, cut off all the inflorescences and leaves from the bushes. Divide the plants and replant as needed. At the same time, cut off the roots and disinfect them with a pink solution of potassium permanganate.
2. It is best for bushes to overwinter in a place with moderately cool temperatures. The best option is a glazed and insulated loggia or balcony.
3. During the cold season, water strawberries very sparingly. There is no need to feed it at all during this period. The air temperature should not fall below 0˚. Watch this carefully.

With the arrival of spring, strawberries will sprout fresh shoots, turn green and bloom, and then give you delicious fruits.

About climbing strawberries

You can also plant climbing strawberries on your balcony. This agricultural crop will give you tasty and aromatic fruits from the beginning of June until the onset of frost.

In addition, for example, the remontant variety Garland will decorate the balcony with waves of thin stems dotted with white flowers, green leaves, yellow ripening and red, already ripe berries.

Amateur gardeners usually cultivate climbing berries on trellis supports. They allow the “vines” to look great and reach a significant height. Now manufacturers have begun to produce special plastic support nets in various colors for climbing crops.

Having presented a modest harvest in early June, the climbing berry plant begins to actively grow shoots with tendrils until the second ten days of August. Additional rosettes soon form on the shoots (several on each antenna).

If you do not arrange trellises for the plants, these rosettes will take root in the soil and a new bush will develop from them. On a support, young shoots form in the air, receiving nourishment from the mother berry. In the first ten days of August, the shoots give color and begin to bear fruit.

The trellis support not only allows climbing strawberries to fully express their decorative abilities, but also protects them from diseases that can appear from contact with the ground.

During the autumn cold period, wrap the trellis on the open balcony with covering material. Then you will be able to collect fruits until late autumn. Over the entire season, one plant can produce about half a kilo of fragrant berries.

Conclusion

I told you about how to grow strawberries on the balcony. The agricultural technology of this process is not very complicated, the main thing is to do everything correctly and in a timely manner. The price of pleasure is also insignificant.

The video in this article will show you many more interesting things. Ask questions in the comments if something is unclear to you.

So I say goodbye, and good luck to you in your endeavors!

September 8, 2016

If you want to express gratitude, add a clarification or objection, or ask the author something - add a comment or say thank you!

In order to enjoy strawberries not only in the summer, they can be grown on the balcony of a multi-story building. The option is also suitable for those who do not have a summer house, or there is no room for this crop. Strawberries are sold in supermarkets at any time of the year, but their own berries are tastier, more aromatic and much cheaper. In addition, growing strawberries on the balcony is not difficult. You just need to know some features and rules of how to grow strawberries on the balcony.

Cultural information

The real name of strawberries is nutmeg strawberry or garden strawberry. This is a perennial. Compact size bush. It reaches a height of 10-35 cm. In addition to leaves with petioles, the bush has creeping branches-shoots (mustache), strong annual stems (horns), and flower stalks. To find out how productive a given variety is, you need to pay attention to the horns. If there are enough of them, then the variety is productive. Reproduction occurs by tendrils, division of roots, and seeds.

Strawberries on the balcony

Thanks to breeders, a large number of different varieties of strawberries have been developed:

• Albion. This is a remontant new variety that surprises with its taste. The berries are sweet. Fruiting begins in late spring and continues throughout the summer. Resistant to diseases. The berries are large. The average weight of each is 50 grams. Closed ground is suitable for the variety.
• Queen Elizabeth 2. Self-pollinating variety. Also applies to remontant ones. The fruits are large. Each weight is about 30-50 grams. At comfortable air temperatures (about +20 degrees), berries can grow up to 70-100 grams.
• Tristan F1. This is an unusual hybrid. Purple, deep pink flowers bloom on the bush. There are practically no mustaches. Can be grown as an ornamental plant. After the strawberries fade, sweet, slightly elongated berries appear on them. The hybrid can bear fruit all summer. Not afraid of temperature changes, has strong immunity.

Strawberry varieties for the loggia

Today there are no specific varieties that are intended only for growing in an apartment. All varieties of garden strawberries that are suitable for a balcony can also be grown on a personal plot.

Ampel strawberry

Varieties that will bear fruit well and develop at home include self-pollinating remontant varieties. They can produce crops with proper care all year round. To save space, it is best to take hanging varieties. They produce a large number of tendrils, directly on which berries grow. Caring for and growing ampelous strawberries on the balcony is exactly the same as regular strawberries. However, it looks the most advantageous. If you plant the plant in pots hanging on the wall, the bushes will produce many hanging tendrils with flower stalks. The mustache will curl, forming a green, lush curtain.

Varieties suitable for home:

• Florina;
• Pink flamingo;
• Homemade delicacy;
• Tuscany;
• Festival;
• World debut, etc.

Florina

A new variety of remontant strawberries. The berries are large. The average weight of one is 40 grams. The taste is sweet. Throughout the entire fruiting period, the berries do not become smaller. Flor has a strong immune system. The variety can grow both in an open garden bed and on a balcony. A greenhouse is also suitable for him.

Pink flamingo

Ideal for growing at home. Pink flamingo strawberries in a flower pot look very impressive. The mustache with peduncles stretches up to a meter in length. The variety resembles a liana. One of the advantages of this strawberry is its huge red berries. The weight of each can reach 70-90 grams.

Homemade delicacy

This is a climbing variety. The plant should be planted in a hanging pot. Its greenery will curl beautifully and go down to the floor. This variety is easy to grow. Medium sized berries. The taste is sour-sweet.

Homemade delicacy

Tuscany

An ampelous remontant variety. It continuously bears fruit and blooms in the garden throughout the summer and part of autumn. If strawberries are grown in pots at home, the berries are collected before winter. The peculiarity of the variety is its fragrant lilac-violet flowers. The berries are medium-sized, red.

Festival

The variety is productive and self-fertile. 0.5-1 kg of berries are collected from the bush. The berries have an average weight of 25-50 grams. The taste is sweetish with sourness.

Festival

World debut

This variety will decorate a green corner in the apartment with its rich pink flowers. They exude a fruity-floral aroma. Experienced gardeners recommend planting World Debut in flowerpots. This way the variety will look decorative and unusual. Fruiting is long lasting. The berries are large - about 30-45 grams.

How to grow strawberries on the balcony

Cultivating garden strawberries is possible if the apartment has an insulated, glazed balcony. If the balcony is very ordinary, then this is also not a problem for planting juicy berries. An insulated loggia is suitable for producing berries all year round. You can plant strawberries on an unglazed balcony in the spring and enjoy them all summer long. Thus, a vegetable garden will appear right in the high-rise building, and you will not need to leave the house to harvest the crop.

Important! The very first thing before turning your balcony into a strawberry corner is to decide on the appropriate varieties.

Culture containers

Garden strawberries on the loggia can be grown in a variety of containers. For hanging varieties, it is best if the strawberries are in a pot; in this case, growing them will bring aesthetic pleasure to the owner of the apartment.

Also, seedlings are placed in large bags, flower pots, and boxes. A five-liter plastic bottle and a plastic container will do. It is recommended to use a plastic box. The main thing is that there are drainage holes at the bottom of the container. This is the only way to prevent the strawberry roots from rotting.

Note! In addition, craftsmen fix a pot or several directly on the walls of the loggia. The main thing is to place the containers not too close to each other. It is recommended to maintain a distance between pots of about 20-40 cm.

You can use the vertical growing method. Vertical beds are built for it. They are made from wide, large bags. The bags are divided into several tiers. Holes are cut out on each tier. Bushes are planted there. The stores sell special structures, which are also divided into tiers for planting plants. Such designs save space.

To save space, experienced gardeners grow strawberries in a structure based on a PVC pipe. Holes are made in the pipe for strawberry bushes. Drainage holes are drilled on the bottom. Plugs are put on the ends of the pipe. But you can do without them. Then the ends of the pipes are simply wrapped with bags and tape. The pipe can stand either horizontally or vertically. According to reviews, most often there are strawberries in pots on balconies; growing them is almost the same as growing flowers.

Note! Despite the fact that strawberries can be planted in any container, one main condition must be observed: one plant should not be in a container whose volume is less than 3 liters. Otherwise, the roots will not be able to develop normally.

Land for planting

Strawberries love fertile, loose, light soil that allows air to pass through. Soil mixture for containers for garden strawberries is sold in specialized stores. Its price is low. However, if you need to plant more than ten bushes, it will be cheaper to prepare the mixture yourself. For this you will need turf soil, peat, humus, sawdust, and river sand. The first three ingredients should be in equal proportions. Sawdust should make up only 10-15% of the total soil mixture, sand - 5-8%. Everything is mixed and poured into prepared containers.

Next, a nutrient solution is prepared. It is made from 1 teaspoon of copper sulfate and 6 liters of plain water. It is also recommended to add 350-400 grams of mullein. This cocktail is used to spill containers with soil. With the help of this solution the land will become more fertile. It will contain enough potassium, phosphorus, and organic nitrogen for good crop growth.

Additional Information. Strawberries should not be planted in soil in which flowers previously grew. Garden strawberry seedlings are too capricious and may not take root in such soil. Planting should take place in fresh soil mixture.

Suitable timing

It is preferable to plant strawberries in the spring months or September. If the balcony is closed and insulated, then planting takes place in March and April. You can plant garden strawberries in September. If the balcony is ordinary, then all work on arranging a home mini-vegetable garden is carried out after warm weather sets in.

Step-by-step landing instructions

1. Before planting, the soil mixture, spilled with a nutrient solution, should stand for several days. Only then are holes made in each pot or container. It is important not to thicken the plantings. If the bushes are planted in a potted container designed for several plants, then the distance between the strawberries should be 20 cm from each other.
2. The seedlings must be of high quality and healthy. It is best to buy it not at the market, but at specialized retail outlets. Plants take root faster if each bush has 4-6 strong leaves.
3. The holes are made shallow. The main thing is that the position of the roots is straightened, and they have enough free space. They should not be allowed to peek out of the ground or be too deep.
4. Drainage is placed at the bottom. They can be pebbles or brick particles.
5. It is recommended not to fill the containers completely with soil. You need to leave 2-3 cm of space to the edge.
6. After planting, the plants are watered with water with the addition of growth stimulants. You can use Heteroauxin or Kornevin. This way the strawberries will take root faster.

Kornevin

Basic Rules

The owner of the apartment should provide warmth to the plants. The optimal temperature on the balcony is +18...+21 degrees in the daytime and +14 in the evening.

When winter comes, plants located on an uninsulated balcony need to be stored. Wintering takes place in boxes in which containers with strawberries are placed. Take several boxes, they should be of different sizes. A layer of sawdust is poured into a large box. A smaller box is placed on them. Containers with strawberries are placed in it. Strawberry containers are lined with rags and foam. Before the balcony strawberry plot is sent to winter, the bushes and branches on which the fruits are ripening are cut off.

Important! Be sure to ventilate the room 2-3 times a day. But it is better to do this in a calm time, since young bushes are very sensitive to drafts.

Care

The main measures for caring for a balcony garden are:

• Pollination;
• Watering;
• Removing mustaches;
• Feeding.

Pollination

Self-pollinating varieties still need help with pollination. Even if the street on which the house is located is surrounded by greenery, you should not wait for pollinating insects. Pollination is carried out by the owner of the apartment. During flowering, install a fan on the balcony. It is taken out in the morning for several hours and in the evening. This way, air currents will help the pollen get to the right place for fruit to set.

Pollination

Watering

In order for your family to be able to constantly eat juicy berries, it is important to properly water the soil. This is done every other day. However, water stagnation should not be allowed. In addition, you need to spray the leaves of the plant with water.

Removing a mustache

Whiskers are removed as needed. These shoots should be removed so that the plant spends nutrition on the formation of fruits.

Removing a mustache

Top dressing

A crop that is grown at home needs more feeding than its garden brothers. Experienced summer residents advise fertilizing garden strawberries on the balcony once every 15-20 days. For this purpose, nutritious complex mineral mixtures are used, which contain phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. They are alternated with humus and fly ash.

Problems with balcony strawberries

Often people who are just starting to grow strawberries encounter problems. For example, the bushes did not take root. This happens due to improper landing. The soil mixture was too clayey and infertile. And the bushes turned out to be too deep into the ground. It is important that the roots are completely hidden underground, and the foliage and buds are on the surface.

Note! The dissatisfaction of the apartment owner can be caused by a meager harvest of berries, which was produced by an ordinary variety of garden strawberries. In this case, the gardener is advised to grow remontant varieties. Then the household will be able to eat the bushes an unlimited number of times.

Another problem may be a delay in plant development. This situation usually occurs in low light conditions. It is best for the balcony to be on the south side of the house. The loggia is also equipped with additional light sources.

Strawberries on the balcony will be an excellent decorative element of the apartment, and will also provide the owners with a sweet dessert. However, people who are just starting to grow berries on a loggia are advised to start small. It's best to buy a few bushes and try to grow them. If everything works out, then in a small area using different designs you can create a whole strawberry mini-garden.

But also strawberries. At first it may seem that this is a finicky plant that is difficult to grow on the balcony, but this is not so. If you plant and care for strawberries correctly, you can pick strawberries all year round on your own balcony!

Strawberry varieties for growing on the balcony

In principle, you can grow any variety of strawberries on your balcony. But for growing on the balcony, remontant strawberries are more often used - they bear fruit throughout the growing season and the harvest appears immediately. But strawberries of other varieties can bear fruit either twice a year - in spring and autumn, or once - in spring.

In addition, such varieties often do not bear fruit in the first year, often only after the first wintering. But remontant strawberries can bear fruit even in winter if you move them indoors and provide them with sufficient lighting.

The best variety is “Queen Elizabeth”. Strawberries of this variety produce large fruits and in large quantities, especially in the second year. This variety produces mustaches.

But the “Bolero” variety does not produce them, but bears fruit from May to November - this is also a good option for strawberries on the balcony.

Fruit of the “Bolero” variety

You need to buy seedlings and seeds in specialized stores; also be sure to consult with specialists in order to have a wonderful harvest and not spend all your time and energy caring for strawberries.

Fruit of the Queen Elizabeth variety

Selection of pots

If you decide to grow strawberries on the balcony, then you need to start by choosing containers. They must meet the following requirements:

• One plant requires a container of three liters (it needs a lot of space to grow).
• If you plan to place several seedlings in one large container, then its volume should be about 15 liters for 3-4 plants.
• Strawberry seedlings should be placed at a distance of at least 20 centimeters from each other, so large containers should be chosen with an elongated shape.
• There must be holes at the bottom of the pot to drain excess liquid.
• It is best to use vertical structures (for example, bookcases) or hanging containers to save space, since they can be placed one above the other, while elongated pots take up a lot of space, and there can be no more than 10 seedlings in it. You can place such elongated pots pots on top of each other are also an acceptable option.

Design for growing strawberries on the balcony

Planting strawberries

The next stage is choosing a planting method. There are two options: purchase strawberry sprouts already or grow them yourself from seeds. The second option will take more time and effort, but is less expensive in a material sense. But the first option is very convenient, but costs more.

If you want to grow strawberries from seeds yourself, then you need to do this sometime in May, so that by April you already have sprouts ready to be transplanted into the soil. You can plant ready-made strawberry sprouts either in late spring (late April and May) or early autumn (September).

The main requirement for a balcony is good natural light (the sun should be on the balcony at least 6 hours a day).

Video:

Here are some basic requirements for planting strawberries:

• the seedling must be placed not too deep (then new leaves will not grow), and not too on the surface (the rhizome will dry out);
• when planting, the seedling must already have at least 5 leaves;
• for better rooting, experts advise treating seedlings with heteroauxin (dilute one tablet of heteroauxin in five liters of water and pour this solution over the seedlings);
• it is necessary to mulch the soil with the onset of hot weather (mulching means covering the soil with special artificial or natural materials such as sawdust and straw, this helps preserve moisture in the soil and prevent overheating and drying out of the soil);
• the soil should be fresh and no other plants should grow in it;
• The soil itself can be prepared as follows: mix neutralized high-moor peat and vermicompost in a 1 to 1 ratio.

Strawberry care

The main thing is to make sure that the soil is moist, but there is no water in the pan. There should be just enough moisture so as not to dry out the plant or flood it.

Twice a month, strawberries need to be fertilized, preferably with minerals. Further, as the plants take root and grow, you can fertilize less frequently.

Strawberries should be sprayed with plain water two or three times a week; this will refresh the leaves of the plant and allow the strawberry fruits to acquire the correct beautiful shape.

As soon as “antennae” appear, they need to be removed. Otherwise, they will fill the entire space, which will not allow each seedling to take root well. You can also pick off the first (only the first!) flowers that appear - then the seedlings will begin to produce twice as many of them.

A– Removal of antennae.
B– Cutting height of old leaves.

With the onset of winter, strawberries need to be removed from the containers and placed in the soil and watered thoroughly, and then the soil around the plants must be compacted.

There is also an additional measure - shelter. After the soil has completely frozen, it must be covered with sawdust. During the thaw period, it will be necessary to ensure the soil is ventilated to avoid heating.

Pros of growing strawberries on the balcony

Undoubtedly, the first plus is that the plant will always be in your field of vision. You won’t need to go anywhere to water and look at the condition of the strawberries. Thus, you can always notice in time any deterioration in the development of the plant.

In addition, you can grow strawberries on the balcony all year round (if, of course, the balcony is glazed and insulated).

It is also convenient that the harvest will arrive on your table in the freshest form.

There is only one small disadvantage of growing strawberries at home - restrictions on planting them. Of course, the balcony area is unlikely to allow you to plant as many strawberries as. You can read how to make glazing with extension to increase space.

Growing strawberries on the balcony is not such a rare occurrence; very often the aromatic berry is cultivated for decorative purposes and as an environmentally friendly product for one’s own children.

Strawberries on the balcony: varieties and cultivation techniques

Even on your own balcony you can get an excellent strawberry harvest

Strawberries on the balcony (or strawberries) can be grown in boxes, hanging flowerpots, cascading hangings and floor barrels. Each method has its pros and cons, but one thing can be said with complete confidence - in urban conditions, berry bushes produce a good harvest.

The high decorative qualities of strawberries make it possible to create amazingly beautiful balcony compositions from different varieties of berries.

Ornamental strawberries (Duchenneya) do not have edible berries, but their overgrown bushes ideally decorate walls, and red berries and yellow flowers increase the attractiveness of the plant.

Growing berries vertically

The vertical method for growing strawberry bushes seems to be the most rational than the classical one, because it is possible to sharply increase the number of berry bushes on the planting area, and at the same time, as a rule, the yield increases. Anyone can prepare vertical beds.

Pipe columns

Using a pipe makes the process of growing berries easier

To construct vertical columns, sections of plastic pipes with a diameter of 110 mm are used. The height of the column for planting strawberries is set in accordance with personal desires, but very long sections must be further strengthened, since the vertical column is unstable.

For ease of watering, you should not prepare planting columns for strawberries higher than 1.5 meters. A piece of pipe is cut off, on one side of which a plug is placed (the bottom of the column). Holes with a diameter of 50 mm are drilled along the surface of the pipe, and it is important to comply with the following requirements:

• The holes are drilled in a staggered pattern.
• Adjacent holes should not be located at a distance of less than 30 cm.
• In a horizontal section, there should not be more than 2 holes at the same level.

Then a piece of pipe with a diameter of 40 to 50 mm is cut, the length is 20 cm longer than the first piece. This is a pipe for drip irrigation. One end of the plastic pipe is closed with a plug, small holes are drilled along all walls, sufficient for liquid to leak out (hole diameter no more than 3 mm).

A perforated pipe is inserted into a larger diameter pipe, filling the space between the walls with nutrient soil.

Plants are planted in holes drilled along the outer surface of the column; they are watered through small holes in the inner pipe, into which irrigation water and dissolved fertilizers are periodically poured.

Growing berries in plastic containers

A bag filled with nutrient soil is an excellent option for growing strawberries.

The original method of growing strawberries in plastic bags is simple and original.

Durable white plastic bags (black ones get very hot from the sun in summer) are filled with nutritious soil. A small amount of expanded clay gravel is poured down.

The upper part of the bag is tightly tied, a piece of perforated plastic pipe is inserted inside, which will act as a funnel for irrigation, then the bag is hung on hooks on special metal crossbars.

Plants are planted in a checkerboard pattern in holes made on the outer surfaces of the bag.

This option allows you to get a rich harvest of strawberries at the lowest cost, but this method does have one drawback - the bags quickly lose their strength, so adult bushes need to be replanted frequently, which has a negative effect on the health of the plants.

Strawberries in tires

The method of growing strawberries on the balcony in used car tires is attractive in its simplicity. Two or three tires are laid on top of each other, the inside is covered with earth, and plants are planted in holes cut in a checkerboard pattern along the outer surface of the rubber. For this method, it is very important to have a significant free area.

Classic way

Balcony boxes are great for growing strawberries

How to grow strawberries on the balcony in the classic way? It is very simple - for planting berry bushes, ordinary balcony boxes, hanging flowerpots and flower pots of suitable size made of plastic or ceramic are used.

Wooden boxes can be used for planting strawberry or strawberry bushes, but they are short-lived; water quickly warps the tree, rots, and the box becomes unusable.

The soil should be fertile, permeable, rich in humus. Before planting, you can add long-acting fertilizers to the soil, which will be gradually absorbed by the roots of the plants over a long time. Heavy soils must be diluted with sand, adding perlite or vermiculite.

The next important point: boxes with strawberries must be installed on a well-lit balcony; south or west sides are ideal for growing berries. Thanks to the sun's rays, the strawberry harvest will be plentiful, the berries themselves will be evenly colored, thick in color with shiny skin.

Watch the video on how to care for balcony strawberries with your own hands.

Boxes with berry bushes should be protected from the wind, which can break shoots and leaves, which is why, when hanging boxes, they should be strengthened on the inside of the balcony. You can grow strawberries on your balcony all year round if the balcony is glazed and insulated. At a temperature of +18 C the bushes bloom and bear fruit beautifully.

Varieties

When choosing strawberry varieties for a balcony, preference should be given to hanging varieties; such plants look especially decorative when planted in vertical columns. The remontant variety is much more productive than the usual one, so when selecting varietal plants, it is worth choosing those that bear fruit several times a season.

Strawberries on the balcony can be planted by seedlings or seeds. If possible, varietal plants are purchased from specialized nurseries. But sometimes it becomes necessary to grow strawberry seedlings yourself from seeds. This method is used when breeding new and rare varieties.

Strawberries of the “Home Delicacy” variety will give you a wonderful harvest of large berries

There are no special varieties for planting on the balcony; the most suitable varieties of strawberries and wild strawberries are selected, among which the following should be noted:

• “Moscow Delicacy” - the variety is distinguished by its early flowering and large fruits, their weight reaches 35 grams. This variety has proven itself well when grown in pots. Later fruiting occurs in the “Homemade Delicacy” variety.
• “Tuscany” - the berry has gained popularity due to its unusual bright pink flowers, ease of care and compact bush. The berries are small, but the variety's yield is high due to the abundance of fruits.
• Strawberry "Baron Solemacher" - the bushes do not have mustaches, the remontant variety is distinguished by an abundant harvest and high taste. On a closed balcony, strawberries bear fruit well in winter, as the variety is highly frost-resistant.
• Strawberry "Alexandria" - a variety of remontant strawberries that does not form tendrils and is characterized by high yield. "Alexandria" is resistant to adverse conditions: drought, frost, diseases and pests. The height of the bush reaches 20 cm, the weight of the berries is 8 g. The aromatic sweet berries ripen until frost. The bush remains productive for 3-4 years.

Winter content

In winter, strawberries on the balcony can freeze for a number of reasons; this can happen on an unheated open balcony. To preserve the mother bushes, boxes with strawberries are carefully insulated using classic insulation or old blankets. The bushes can also overwinter in a basement or insulated garage; the main thing is not to forget to take them out into the sun in time in the spring.