Do you like strawberries? Only here: Growing strawberries requires a lot of floor space, but you only have a small space! You should like the ‘strawberry fountain’, also called ‘strawberry pyramid’ or ‘strawberry tower’. This original cultivation method allows you to grow a maximum of strawberries in a minimum of space and thus have a big harvest even in a small garden or on a small balcony!
A clever method for a miraculous harvest!
On the same principle as the potato tower, this growing method utilizes vertical space and allows to significantly increase yields even in a very small space. Indeed, whether your strawberry fountain is built with wooden planks, recycled pallets or even a plastic barrel… the surface area used will be a maximum of one square meter for a significant harvest. In good growing conditions, a strawberry plant produces a yield of about 400 to 700 g of strawberries (see more). Knowing that you can plant up to 48 seedlings on a strawberry fountain, you can easily get more than 30 pounds of strawberries in a year.
Examples of homemade strawberry fountains – Photos: Chesapeakecrafts.com & Mapssionduverger.fr
A few tips for a rich harvest!
-Choose the right types: In order to obtain a bountiful harvest during the beautiful season, it is advisable to plant different varieties, early, late and so-called remontant varieties, which ensure a spread of the harvests from May to the first frost.
-Bring a quality substrate: Although they can be grown in most soils, strawberries prefer cool, permeable and rich in organic matter. To do this, prepare a mixture that ideally consists of 30% garden soil (non-calcareous), 30% good horticultural soil, 30% blond peat and 10% river sand.
-Don’t forget to water the strawberries: Strawberries are water intensive and should be watered regularly, especially in hot weather. Watering is a determining factor in the formation and development of future fruits. But beware, strawberries also do not like excess water. In the summer, it is best to water in the evening or very early in the morning to prevent the water from evaporating quickly under the sun.
To discover more creative ideas to make your own beautiful strawberry fountain, I invite you to visit our Pinterest page: DIY Strawberry Fountains. Finally, I also invite you to discover our other horticultural ideas to make easy yourself!
As a landscape architect and geographer by training, I am passionate about the plant world and its countless curiosities. Founder of the Rexania blog and activist for gardening in harmony with nature, I am also an Alsatian gardener, ardent defender of ancient, free and reproducible varieties.
