Strawberrys for the first time

[new gardener 1052]

Hi, lm looking for a bit of advice I'm thinking of having a go at growing some strawberrys. I'm thinking of growing them in a pot in the garden.

I have a sunny spot but not sure on the type of compost to use. Also a good variety of plant to buy? I'm in north east scotland. Is it too late for this year?

Any help will be greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance Steve.

[bario1]

Hi Steve.

Any multi-purpose compost from a supermarket will do the job, though you might want to mix in some garden soil just to give it a bit more weight and stop it drying out too quickly. I always find growing in pots requires too much attention with watering, is there anywhere you could put them in the ground?

It is getting a bit late to start stawberries, but your local garden centre might still have plants. As for variety, I've no idea what mine are, but Marshmellow seems to be everyone's choice on this forum.

[MarkPelican]

I agree with Bario, any multi-purpose compost will do with added soil for weight. You won't need tall pots as strawberries don't have deep roots. What about a strawberry planter with the holes in the side as well as the top.

I grow mainly Alice but this year I've bought some Sonata and Korona from Lidl. Strong looking plants they are.

[MarkPelican]

I agree with Bario, any multi-purpose compost will do with added soil for weight. You won't need tall pots as strawberries don't have deep roots. What about a strawberry planter with the holes in the side as well as the top.

I grow mainly Alice but this year I've bought some Sonata and Korona from Lidl. Strong looking plants they are.

[Muddy_Boots]

B & Q near me had some Strawberry plants in the garden centre I noticed on Sunday you might want to try there, they are in a tray with 6 in but not sure of variety or price as I wasn't after them when I was wandering around.

[Jungle Jane]

Alice is mentioned on this rhs agm list. The symphony & rhapsody varieties on the list were bred in Scotland.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/a...and-vegetables

[NatalieCooke]

I agree with Bario, any multi-purpose compost will do with added soil for weight. You won't need tall pots as strawberries don't have deep roots. What about a strawberry planter with the holes in the side as well as the top.

I grow mainly Alice but this year I've bought some Sonata and Korona from Lidl. Strong looking plants they are.

Think my husband bought the same ones. They sure do look healthy plants.

[Rapscallion]

Oops wrong thread....

[skeggijon]

When growing Strawberries in pots, I prefer to use John Innes number 2. It holds moisture better than MPC, plus if it does get a bit dry it's much easier to rehydrate. When trying to water dried out MPC the water tends to run straight through.
The Strawberry plants on sale at most BnQs are Elsanta, which are OK for a first foray into Strawberry growing, though I prefer Honeoye and I've been very impressed with Fenella, which were still producing large, sweet berries in November for me last year.