Photograph by Shari Kaplan

Strawberry plants may be planted in pots or in the ground, by themselves or with other perennials or annuals. They propagate easily by runners.




Container-grown plants, trees have their own special needs

By Tony Tomeo

For various reasons, many gardens include plants grown in containers. Pots and tubs are portable, so frost-sensitive species that grow in full exposure from spring to autumn may be moved to sheltered locations before cold winter weather.

Some plants that are showy in particular seasons may also be moved out of the way when not as ornamental, or if hard pruning is required. Some garden enthusiasts enjoy gardening in containers because they have the option of changing the plants in the landscape as one might move furniture around inside the home.

Containers may be used to give height to low growing plant species, annual flowers or even small specimen plants. Species with specific soil requirements are often grown in containers so that the soil will not be affected by the surrounding soil.

Growing plants in containers is completely different from growing the same plants in the ground. Plants are more likely to experience problems with confined roots, drying soil, poor drainage and even increased soil temperature.

In most situations, soil is only used in large containers or tubs, because they don't drain well when the only outlets are drainage holes at the bottom of a pot. Potting "soil" is actually composed of various nonsoil components, such as fir bark, sand, perlite or vermiculite. Not only does it drain very quickly, but it retains sufficient moisture between watering. The light weight of potting soil is also desirable if containers are to be moved.

To prevent roots from being cooked, containers should be well insulated. Black vinyl cans used by nurseries are not suitable for garden use because black absorbs heat from the sun and the vinyl is so thin that the heat is transferred directly into the soil. Nursery cans may only be used if contained within larger containers or baskets.

Wood pots and barrels are well-insulated and stay as moist as the potting soil within them, so roots will not desiccate as they come into contact with the inner surface. Unglazed clay is probably the best material for containers. It is very well-insulated and has good moisture retention. Roots that come into contact with clay cannot distinguish it from rocks or other material they may encounter if they were growing in the ground. Although glazed pots are not as appealing to roots, they are well-insulated and usually reflect sunlight.

Because thorough drainage is necessary, it is important that dishes used to catch water are not allowed to hold it between watering. Standing water breeds pathogenic organisms, such as those that cause root rot and may breed mosquitoes. What plants need most from containers are conditions that closely resemble those they would find in the ground.

Perennial of the Week: Strawberries

Here in the Santa Clara Valley, only a few of the many varieties of strawberries are available. Most are ever-bearing or day-neutral varieties, which bloom and bear fruit sporadically from early summer through autumn. These are the most desirable for those who want fresh fruit available through the growing season. June-bearing varieties produce their fruit in late spring or early summer. Although they are not as commonly available, June-bearers produce the best quality fruit and are ideal for those who grow fruit for canning or freezing.

Strawberries perform best if planted with full sun exposure and in rich, well-drained soil. If drainage is a problem, they may be planted in mounds. If they are planted bare root in winter, they usually spend their first growing season getting established and sending out runners, with berries only appearing after late summer. Plants develop at about the same rate if planted from six packs or "cell packs" during the growing season.

Most garden enthusiasts allow runners to develop into new plants to maximize berry production the following year. If no additional new plants are desired, the runners may be pruned off to promote earlier development of fruit. Runners are normally less profuse after the first year, or as space is filled by new plants. The growth of too many runners may cause strawberry fields forever and possible problems with Beatles.

When planting, be careful to keep the crown above soil level, otherwise, it will likely rot. Spacing should be about 12 to 18 inches, but strawberries may be planted randomly with other perennials or annuals. The "straw" in strawberries refers to the preferred mulch used to prevent the growth of weeds, insulate the soil, keep the soil moist and the fruit clean. Because strawberries are susceptible to many diseases, they should be replaced every few years.

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Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408.358.2574.

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