How to Grow Strawberry in Plastic Bottles – 7 Steps Included

Urban gardener lacks enough space to grow bunch of plants. For them growing strawberries in plastic bottles can be space saving and innovative method to cultivate this sweet gems.

With right growing tips you can grow staggering amount of strawberries with few plants.

Important tips to grow strawberries at home

• Strawberry plant need full sunlight to produce maximum yield.
• Provide adequate watering, depending on the climatic conditions in your region.
• Add old compost while planting and during the growing season to increase plant’s growth.
• Remove weeds, as strawberry plants are poor competitors.
• Protect strawberry plants from frost by covering them with plastic cover.
• After harvest, you can preserve strawberries for future use.

How to Grow Strawberries in Plastic Bottles?

Reusing plastic bottles to grow plants isn’t excellent way to reduce wastage and pollution.

You can just hang these bottles in your balcony and enjoy fresh, delicious and vibrant fruits.

What do you need to start?

• 2 (2 liter) plastic bottles
• Potting soil mix
• Sharp knife
• Drill to make drainage hole
• Source of water
• String to hang plastic bottles

How to Grow?

1. Prepare plastic bottles

Wash bottles

Wash plastic bottles to remove residue and then dry them under sunlight. This ensures bottles are free from harmful ingredients.

Cut plastic bottles

With a sharp knife or scissors, meticulously create large rectangular openings on the side of each bottle. These openings will function as the designated planting areas for the strawberries.

Be sure to maintain adequate space between the top and bottom of the cutouts to preserve the structural stability of the bottle.

Drill drainage hole

Use a nail or drill to make small holes at the bottom of the bottle to allow excess water to drain. Drainage avoids excess water logging and overwatering issues.

2. Prepare Potting Soil for Strawberry

Strawberries prefer well-drained soil that can retain moisture. Mix garden soil, peat moss, perlite and vermiculite to increase aeration, moisture retention and root support.

Fill the bottles with potting soil mix.

3. Plant Strawberry Plants

You can plant runners or strawberry seeds in the potting soil.

I prefer planting runners, as it fastens the harvesting process.

After planting, water the strawberry plant generously.

4. Watering Strawberry Plant

After initial watering, provide consistent moisture to strawberries.

Watering generously once in a week will be enough. However, depending on climatic conditions in your region, water the plant if top 1 inch of the soil is dry.

Avoid overwatering and underwatering the strawberry plant.

Choosing wrong potting soil is one of the reasons why most urban gardeners experience overwatering issue.

5. Sunlight

Hang your bottle or place them in a position where it gets 6-8 hours of full sunlight.

Sunlight is essential for food production and lack of light can lead to yellowing of strawberry leaves.

Use wire to hang plastic bottles. Ensure the bottles are tied stable and protected from winds.

6. Fertilizing Strawberry Plants

Before planting mix old compost or apply slow-releasing fertilizer to the potting soil.

Fertilizer with NPK 20-20-20 ratio is preferred to strawberries.

Alternatively, you can use organic fertilizers like bone meal to increase nitrogen in the soil.

Fertilizing strawberries during their growing season requires careful consideration, particularly when they are cultivated in matted rows.

Timing the addition of nutrients incorrectly can lead to pH levels that are unsuitable for strawberries.

Beginning with nutrient-rich soil prior to planting minimizes the necessity for additional fertilization and mitigates issues stemming from nutrient imbalances.

7. Strawberry Plant Care

Start fertilizing your strawberries before the growing season.

Regularly check soil moisture to avoid underwatering issues.

Inspect the plant to avoid pests and insects. Use organic pesticides to fight infestation.

When to harvest Strawberries?

To enjoy the best flavor and texture, it is important to harvest strawberries at right time.

Below mentioned is the guide to determine when to harvest strawberries.

Identify the right color

Keep an eye on the color of the strawberries. When they have reached full maturity, they will display vibrant, uniform hues. Depending on the variety, this may be a rich red, deep pink, or even a bright yellow color.

Check the texture and firmness

Gently touch the strawberries to assess their firmness. Ripe strawberries should feel plump and firm to the touch, with a slight give when pressed. Avoid picking strawberries that feel mushy or overly soft.

Size

Pay attention to the size of the strawberries. While individual varieties may vary in size, ripe strawberries typically have reached their maximum size for that particular variety. Harvest strawberries that have reached a desirable size and shape.

Aroma

Take a moment to smell the strawberries. Ripe strawberries emit a sweet, fragrant aroma that intensifies as they ripen. If the strawberries have a strong, sweet scent, they are likely ready for harvest.

Taste Test

The most reliable method to determine ripeness is by tasting a strawberry. Pick a ripe-looking strawberry and sample it to assess its flavor and sweetness. If it tastes delicious and sweet, it’s ready to be harvested.

Harvesting Frequency

Harvest strawberries as they ripen, typically every two to three days during peak season. This ensures that you gather the fruit at its optimal ripeness and prevents over ripening or spoilage on the plant.

By considering these factors and monitoring the development of your strawberries, you can harvest them at the peak of ripeness for the most enjoyable eating experience.

Conclusion

Growing strawberries in plastic bottles require utmost attention and adequate amount of sunlight, water and well-drained soil.

Fertilize the plant before planting and also prior to growing season.

A well-balanced fertilizer ensures the strawberry plant gets required amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to thrive.