Strawberry planter

[southlondongardener]

I have a plastic strawberry planter
like this one.
Strawberry Barrel £16.45

I filled in with plants a few years ago and they need replacing and I have lost the instructions. Any ideas on how to do this?

[AkionTotocha]

I think maybe empty the soil and replace it completely? I think strawberries can get pest and disease build-up if new ones are planted in old soil.

put in drainage stones over the holes so they don't get blocked with soil, then pour new compost up to the first level of planting holes, poke your plants through the holes, then fill to the second level of holes and repeat? That's how I'd tackle it, but I wouldn't know if I should put water retention beads in the compost or not?

[Chomerly]

How cool is that?

I might just buy myself one of those for next season.
Currently, i have some strawberries growing in a regular patio/deck pot and they are doing brilliantly.
I think there are around six plants in it at the moment and though the crop will be modest, i think they will be large and healthy.

I would have thought the only option to replace the plants would be to empty out the soil, remove as much of the plants by hand as possible, mix the existing soil with some kind of soil improver and fresh compost and add back to the pot.

[FB.]

I think maybe empty the soil and replace it completely? I think strawberries can get pest and disease build-up if new ones are planted in old soil.

Yes, containerised strawberries are prone to vine weevil larvae eating their roots. The larvae look quite like large maggots and curl up to some extent when disturbed.
Strawberries are also very hungry plants and quickly deplete the nutrients from soil near them which then affects vigour and cropping. Ideally new compost every year, or every second year, unless the plants are fed to keep up the nutrient content of the compost.

[AkionTotocha]

Yes, containerised strawberries are prone to vine weevil larvae eating their roots. The larvae look quite like large maggots and curl up to some extent when disturbed.

It seems like something that would happen. Makes me worried for my own pot of strawberries.

[Bren In Pots]

I have a plastic strawberry planter
like this one.
Strawberry Barrel £16.45

I filled in with plants a few years ago and they need replacing and I have lost the instructions. Any ideas on how to do this?

This thread has the instructions on filling one of those towers :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...els_63902.html

[southlondongardener]

Thank you all.

[Polytastic]

Just a quick thought ... my mum used to plant strawberry plants in old tyres

I am trying the wellington planter technique with my runner this year (runners in wellies huh) :P Just drill a few small extra holes in your leaky wellingtons and bob's your uncle!!