Strawberries in a narrow window box

[Lpeek]

Hi All! First time poster & first time planter!

I've made a very narrow planter (photo attached) to put outside a window, and I know it's very very narrow (it's as much space as I have available), but I was hoping it would still be suitable for Strawberries to grow. If not, can anyone recommend something better to grow in it? The size is just over a meter in length and the width of the actual space to plant in is about 2-3 inches.

If it is suitable I have a few of questions if anyone can help!

Firstly, has anyone had any experience companion planing with Borage? I've heard a lot about it but not sure if it's worth it or not, considering the small size of the planter, should I just fill it with 3-4 strawberry plants?

My second question is whether manure will help? it is worth mixing some in with the soil, and how much should I use in ratio to the soil?

Finally, on the soil subject again, I've heard some places suggest mixing a little sand with the soil as apparently strawberries benefit from slightly sandy soil. Is this true?

Thanks!

[FB.]

I don't see a problem with your planter - but the plants may need extra water and nutrients to compensate for being cramped.

I have no idea what Borage does as a companion plant.

Strawberries will appreciate a fairly rich soil (or plenty of feeding), but also appreciate soil which is neither too dry nor too wet.
Pure manure or pure compost can set rock hard into a sieve-like structure if it dries and it simply lets water run right through it and can be difficult to re-hydrate (it usually requires several waterings in one day to rehydrate dry compost).
So I'd suggest about one-half ordinary soil in order to give better structure than compost or manure alone.
The soil/compost/manure will need changing every couple of years otherwise the plants will run out of nutrients and vine weevil larvae might start eating away their roots.

I wouldn't bother with the sand - it's advised because strawberries don't like to be waterlogged (and sand allows good drainage). In a pot or container the water should drain away no matter what the soil, and not puddle on the surface as it would in your garden.

[Bren In Pots]

If they can grow strawberries in guttering there's no reason why your box wouldn't work, that's so long as you've got drainage and can keep them well watered.

[Lpeek]

Thanks FB and Bren!

All makes sense thanks! Although I'm now thinking it's far too late to plant strawberries and I can't find any local garden centres that currently stock them. (B&Q have a few very unhealthy looking ones)

[Dorothy rouse]

I'd check B&Q again in a day or so, I was in my local one today, Strood, Kent, and they had loads of healthy looking plants including white ones, ( white strawberries just don't seem right to me tho!)

[BUFFS]

i would put in alpine strawbs as they dont need all the cosseting, give great tasting fruit from july to the frosts and dont require a rich soil,i put some into really poor soil 6 years ago and they are still going strong,from 30 plants in a 8ft x 3ft patch,we get at least one large yoghurt tubful a week,and with the better weather this year ,that amount has doubled,all i have ever done is pull any weeds out,the fruit are small but the flavour is so good,never needed any sugar at all..

[FB.]

As Buffs says: Alpines are tougher than regular strawberries, and produce smaller amounts of fruit at any one time, but crop a few fruits per plant, per day, from July until the first frosts.

Alpines are also better able to produce good fruit in cooler seasons, in sunless years and also when grown in up to three-quarter shade (they only need a few hours of direct sun each week in summer- - and don't need any after they die-down for winter).

My alpines have been ripening recently.

Alpines are not usually interesting to birds, and the more erect habit and more numerous fruits tend to mean less losses to slugs and snails.

Alpines don't usually produce runners (which makes them quite tidy plants). They usually form slowly-spreading clumps which can be divided in winter.

Or if you don't like the idea of alpines, I'd recommend the regular strawberries Christine (early-ripening) and Pegasus (mid-late-ripening).

[rustylady]

My strawberry plants are producing runners at the moment. Do you have any friends nearby who grow strawberries? (Plants for free)