Are Strawberries Best Grown In The Garden Or In A Pot?

When flexing your green thumb, don't forget the fruits. Branching out from veggies isn't as intimidating as you might think — and no need for a whole orchard or a large yard, you can start by growing a crop of juicy strawberries, which are some of the easiest fruits to grow. 

Some more forgiving crops are happy as can be in a pot or virtually any container. Others need room and won't thrive when confined. While there are some ironclad vegetable gardening tips that apply to berries as well, strawberries fall in the forgiving camp when it comes to where you plant them. Some swear by the potting method, which lets you place berry plants in optimal areas for ample sunlight, or nearby where you can easily tend to them and keep pests away. Others opt for a garden, where you can plant much larger crops — and where plants will need slightly less watering. 

The truth is, strawberries can thrive in either setting, and the best method depends more on your specific growing circumstances. That's according to Sunshine Chapman, the President of Garden Works, who told Chowhound to consider your soil, sun, and space when making the call. Have rich, fertile soil and plenty of space, in an area that gets sunlight most of the day? Plant 'em in the garden. If you either lack the garden space or have concerns with the soil quality, shade versus sun levels, or live in particularly hot or cold climates that limit growing seasons, pots may be your best bet. "You may want the control over growing conditions that containers provide," Chapman says.

In a perfect world, growing berries in the garden where they can spread out and develop deep, robust root systems is ideal for the most fruitful crop. But we don't always garden in perfect worlds; so make it work for yours. 

Growing strawberries for the first time? Start with potted plants, Sunshine Chapman suggests, explaining, "Strawberries are easiest to grow in pots, and by experimenting with containers, you'll learn quickly how well strawberries respond to your climate." Once you've found a good spot for the pot, "then you can decide if you want to expand to a garden bed," she says. Another plus: Potted berries stay where you plant them, unlike when in the garden, where they send out runners that can spread throughout your garden. As for what sort of pot to plant them in, Chapman says that no matter which you chose, "make sure they have drainage holes and are at least 12–14 inches deep." This will give roots room to spread. 

Regardless of where you plant the strawberries, make sure soil nutrients are balanced, the soil is well-drained so plants stay hydrated but not soggy, and the berries get at least six to eight hours of sunlight. Chapman also says to keep in mind that potted strawberries will need both more water and regular applications of fertilizer, whereas garden ones will need more dedicated weeding and mulching. Last but not least, one strawberry hack to remember is these fruits earn their name for a reason — they love straw, which helps keep them healthy and thriving. Plan to mulch with several inches of straw underneath each plant to keep the berries dry and disease-free, whether growing in a pot or in the garden.