Growing strawberries on the balcony is a fascinating and interesting activity that does not require specific materials and complex care. Ecologically clean, fresh and very tasty berries will become a reward for the labors. How to grow strawberries on the balcony? Let's talk about this further.
The best varieties
Growing strawberries on the balcony is fascinating, but requires careful preparation. First you need to find out which varieties are suitable for this purpose. In principle, you can plant any strawberry: early, middle, late or remont. The main thing is to select plants that are least susceptible to disease, have tasty, juicy fruits and give a rich harvest. The best varieties of strawberries for the balcony are remodeling. They differ in that they are able to bear fruit several times a year. Consider the most popular of them.
"Homemade delicacy"
This variety does not differ in large berries (diameter is a maximum of 5 cm), but their taste is simply excellent. Fruiting begins in early summer and lasts until the frost. Fruits have a saturated red color. Cultivation is carried out in seedling method. It is important that the condensate does not get on the sprouts that have sprouted. To do this, it is recommended to ventilate the strawberry box periodically. Strawberries on the balcony require timely top dressing and watering. The soil should not dry out, because otherwise you can lose a lot of yield.
Moscow Delicacy
This repair strawberry on the balcony ripens a little earlier than the rest of the varieties: you can start harvesting fruits after 4-6 months. after sowing. The ripened berries are large, juicy, dense and very tasty. The average seed germination is up to 80%.
In addition to excellent taste, the “Moscow delicacy” is distinguished by decorativeness. Plants produce long peduncles that look great in beautiful flower pots and flowerpots.
World Debut
This variety is a real find for experienced gardeners. The plant has not very long peduncles, but they are completely covered with flowers and fruits. The berries are large, reaching up to 35 grams.
Many strawberry growers on the balcony respect this variety not only for good yield. Gorgeous, soft pink flowers - that is what attracts attention especially. Planted in decorative flower pots or pots, they will create an unusual atmosphere in a "green oasis".
Prerequisites for growing strawberries
For strawberries, like any other plant, it is necessary to create the most favorable conditions for growing. Particular attention should be paid to:
- lighting;
- temperature condition;
- watering;
- pollination.
We consider each of these points separately.
Lighting
Strawberries need a lot of light for good fruiting. Artificially, it can be created using an ordinary daylight, but experienced gardeners recommend using a phytolamp. A plant grown under such lighting will have quite lush and green foliage, good flowering and a rich harvest.
Temperature mode
Seedlings should be grown at a temperature of at least +20 ° C. If you do not adhere to this rule, the bushes noticeably weaken, there is a risk, there is a risk of developing many diseases.
Watering
For strawberries, you need to select the most optimal watering regime. Water should not stagnate at the roots. But at the same time, it is important to ensure that the bush does not dry out, since this can lead to negative consequences.
Pollination
In order for the berry to be full and not deformed, it needs pollination. It is produced by wind and insects, but there simply cannot be such conditions on the balcony. In this case, you need to choose self-pollinating varieties or artificial pollination of flowers with a simple brush.
Top dressing
Strawberries on the balcony must be fed. In the open ground, the plant receives everything that it needs directly from the soil. In this case, suitable fertilizers should be purchased for fruiting plants, in particular for strawberries.
The first feeding is carried out during watering when the first buds appear, the second - after removing the first berries.
Growing such a wonderful berry as strawberries on the balcony is an amusing and time-consuming affair, but requiring attention. Well-created conditions, timely fertilizer and watering guarantee you an attractive plant, and most importantly - its juicy, aromatic and mouth-watering fruits.
Where to plant
It provides complete freedom of imagination, limited only by the area of the "garden" itself. When arranging such a "garden" it is very important to achieve good stability of the structure so that it does not fall during careless movement. The most popular are boxes, pots / flowerpots, variously shaped containers, plastic bags. More original ways - growing strawberries on the balcony in a plastic bottle or pipe. The pot should be at least 15x15 cm in size for one bush.
Plastic bottles are mounted on a pyramidal support, a wall in a vertical or horizontal position. With the vertical method, they are cut in half and seedlings are planted in both parts. If strawberries are grown on the balcony in a bottle horizontally, before planting, cut a hole in the body.
Quite an interesting option - planting strawberries in bags of breathable agrofibre. Above is a water tank. In the tank, water and feeding flows down the hoses. The bag is suspended at a small distance from the wall so that the walls do not become damp from moisture.
Vertical bed from a pipe
There is a wonderful and interesting way to save space, which is so valuable on the balcony. You can make a bed in the most ordinary plastic pipe.
For the construction device, it is necessary to prepare two water pipes having different diameters. One should be wide, with a diameter of 20-40 cm. Strawberry will be located in it. The other pipe is narrower (4-6 cm). It will be located inside the structure, and serve for irrigation.
The first thing to do is find the right height. The narrow pipe should be about 10 cm longer.
Further work is performed in the following sequence:
- Small holes (3-5 mm in diameter) in 3 rows are made in a narrow pipe with a drill. The step between them is 10 cm. You need not reach the bottom about 15 cm. This device is designed for irrigation. The more holes there are in it, the better the soil will be irrigated.
- A narrow pipe is wrapped in burlap and secured along the entire length of the rope. So the holes will not become clogged with earth.
- Holes with a diameter of 7–10 cm are also made in a large pipe from the side facing the sun. In increments of 20–25 cm. You must not reach the bottom also by 15 cm.
- Bottom caps are installed, and pipes are inserted one into one.
- The resulting space between the pipes is filled with a small layer of gravel for stability, then soil is poured. So, the design is ready. Before planting seedlings, the pipe must be firmly fixed.
The principle of operation of this design is as follows: water is poured into a narrow pipe, then a cap is put on top. Through the small holes made, moisture impregnates the burlap, then directly enters the soil. To check if the earth is dry, just try using your finger in the hole.
The benefits of growing strawberries on the balcony in the pipe are obvious:
- low material costs;
- compact location of such beds;
- getting an absolutely clean crop.
How to ensure an uninterrupted conveyor
Many people ask the question: "How to make strawberries throughout the year not only grow on the balcony, but also bear fruit well?" You can achieve such results if you follow some rules:
- grow plants only on a glazed, well-lit (at least 12 hours a day) and heated balcony;
- periodically replace the "spent" bushes with new ones, updating the planting;
- select varieties with different ripening periods. It is best to use a restorative strawberry.
You can harvest seedlings in the autumn at the cottage. It can be stored in the refrigerator or in the basement for up to 8-9 months.
How to prepare the ground?
Since the conditions in which this tasty and healthy berry will be grown are quite specific, it is very important to carefully consider the quality of the soil. In specialized stores, you can either buy a ready-made composition, or prepare it yourself. We offer two recipes for light fertile land.
1. It is necessary to take:
- 10 parts of chernozem;
- 10 parts of peat;
- 10 parts of humus;
- 3 parts of sawdust;
- 1 part coarse sand.
2. You will need:
- 1 part peat;
- 1 part of sand;
- 3 parts of chernozem;
- 1 part organic fertilizer.
Mix everything and pour it onto the drainage layer.
Conclusion
Strawberry is a magnificent plant that can delight its owners not only with excellent taste, but also with an attractive enough appearance. Growing it on your own balcony is not at all a problem. It is only important to adhere to the basic recommendations of specialists, and then it will be possible to create a truly unique strawberry paradise.
A balcony with such a garden looks very original and unusual, and its owners are known as cute eccentrics in the good sense of the word.
Due to the small size of the plantings, you can pay attention to all the bushes, which will positively affect the harvest.