[Clampit]

I have planted two strawberry planters with strawberrys (what a shock!)
I filled them with John Innes number 2. When i water them a lot of the compost is washed out of the holes, does anyone have any ideas on how to stop this from happening please?

[WhippetMaster]

Fill the holes with stones!!!!!

[gobs]

Or don't use strawberry planters unless you have a gardener, them a pain to look after.
All your plants are likely to die, more so if it's terracotta,  I should risk saying, unless you have plenty of time to devote to looking after them.

[jazzbyrd]

I agree with gobs !!~ and I had a plastic one. Watering is a pain in the A too when its hot. I am not sure what to do with my old one. Any ideas ?

Jazzbyrd

[vegmandan]

I just grow Strawbs in a 12" normal pot,2-3 plants to a pot.

I get great results as alot of them still hang over the edge and you just water normally without the washing soil out probs.

[mashauk]

I agree with gobs !!~ and I had a plastic one. Watering is a pain in the A too when its hot. I am not sure what to do with my old one. Any ideas ?

Jazzbyrd

I've got mint in mine, keeps it from spreading, and as it's virtually indestructible (along with my lemon balm) I've always got some.

[Elaine G]

Another downside - I lost all my plants to vine weevil last year.
This year the plants seem to have survived but it is a risk.
Fortunately once you have strawberries there are always spare plants from runners, its just the expense of new compost.
I covered the top and all the holes with gravel in the hope that this would deter the bugs.

Elaine

[corndolly]

When the soil has settled it wont wash out so easily, I have six planters ,a piece of plastic tube which has holes in it is placed in the middle from the top surface to the bottom of the pot,when filling with compost.I put the hose in this and turn the water on and leave for 15 mins or so ,it ensures the soil is well soaked .I do not water the outside because it dislodges the soil.
I agree though in the hot weather this needs to be done daily and is a nuisance.I am thinking of change of use for the pots.

Mint is a good idea,I suppose other herbs such as creeping Thyme etc but dont mix mint with other herbs, as the mint is so strong it will take over the pot.

[Clampit]

Thanks for your replies, i feel a bit silly now, my good lady was going to plant the strawberries in pots, but me, being the expert :roll:  said ' Why don't I get some proper planters, they'll look a lot nicer and the plants will be able to dangle to their hearts content keeping the fruit off the soil.' :oops:
Please don't tell her that her idea was better, i'll never hear the end of it. :oops:
I shall certainly try some gravel, i'm off to sweep the drive once again.

[Bombers]

I just threw some various herbs in it last year and most seem quite happy.  Sage/Tyme/Parsley/Chives. ( No mint though!) LOL

[GrannieAnnie]

I also got fed up with the plants at the bottom not getting watered properly, so I've got alpines in mine.  You could put a pipe or something down through the middle and water into that?  Not tried it yet, but keep thinking about it!   :thumright:

[chrissie B]

i also got alpines but i converted an old linen basket , its a plastic one with a diamond pattern , got 6 in there at the mo with room for another 4 regular strawberries and flowers on the top if i invert the lid .
Chrissie b
PS  i bet the wicker linen would look good with plants hanging from it.

[sclarke624]

I put mine in troughs (think thats how you spell troff), that way should be easier to plant the babies/runners into a free trough alongside.  Had a lot of trouble last year, my first, as I had strwb in pots.  Right puzzle trying to find pot same size, or balance pot on bricks, to reach runner to plant before severing.  Also difficult with round pot to put lots of pots around mother plant for rotting runners.  If you see what I mean.

So as said have 6 troughs all same size, troughs about 3 foot long 1 foot high.  Got them cheapish from Ford Market £2.99 each.