This DIY strawberry planter is an easy project for you to get growing your strawberries vertically. Just make sure to let the soil compact after the first watering… before you put the strawberries in! Otherwise half of them might end up disappearing into the planter.
Strawberries are perfect for growing in a small space and, depending on the variety you get, they can be fairly hardy, surviving the cold winters for next summer. We’ve planted Cambridge Favourite. As long as they are kept well-watered with lots of sun they should provide you with loads of fruit throughout the summer, perfect for crafting some refreshing cocktails!
For more on caring for your strawberries check out the video below.
Why Grow Strawberries Vertically?
Strawberries take up a lot of space! In order to produce a lot of fruit you’ll have to plant many plants. This is because the plants are small and each one will only produce a small amount of fruit.
If you decide to grow them horizontally they end up taking up a lot of space. So, it is best to grow strawberry plants vertically!
Strawberry Planter Finished Dimensions
The finished strawberry planter ended up being 50cm wide and 170cm tall. We fit 14 plants on each of the three sides for a total of 42. We didn’t put strawberries at the back as they wouldn’t get any sun.
How to Make a Vertical DIY Strawberry Planter
Materials
2 X dog helpers, or animal of your choice!
4 X 9×1 inch (225mmx22mm) boards cut to 160cm in length
2 X 9×1 inch (225mmx22mm) boards cut to 50cm in length
Raised bed liner (170cmx 100 cm)
4 X 3×1 inch (75mmx44mm) lengths cut to 15cm for the feet
50 X 3.5x40mm screws
Staples
Tools
Drill
Impact driver
Measuring tape
Square / jig
48mm drill bit (a drill bit from 45-55mm will work)
10mm drill bit
2mm drill bit
Staple gun
Plunge saw if you are cutting the boards yourself, otherwise ask in your local hardware if they will cut the boards to size.
Making the Strawberry Planter
First cut the 9×1 boards to length, or pick them up pre-cut.
Draw two lines down the three boards that will get the sun. These lines should be 3 inches (7.6cm) in from the edge and will give you even holes all the way down the boards.
Next measure the 20cm intervals for drilling the holes down the two lines on the board. Stagger one side by measuring the first hole 10cm down the board, then 20cm gaps for the reminder on this side. Leave about 30cm from the last mark to the base of the board so that your strawberries don’t end up on the ground.
Drill all the holes for your strawberries. If you are using a boring bit try not to drill all the way through and flip the board over to finish drilling on the other side! This will make it far easier for you to remove the cut of wood you’ve just drilled out.
Once you’ve drilled all the holes on each of the three boards, it’s time to put the box together.
Align two of the sides and screw together with the 3.5x40mm screws, using about 10 all the way down the board. Drill pilot holes first to ensure your wood doesn’t split with a 2mm drill bit.
After the first board is screwed you can begin to attach the lining, stapling it into place. Don’t worry about the holes. You can add those after the strawberry planter is filled with compost.
Once the lining is tacked on to the first two boards screw onto the next board, then staple the lining to this one too.
After you have attached the final board you will need to reach in to staple the final bit of lining.
Tip the planter upside down so you can screw in the base. Centre the 2 X 9×1 inch (225mmx22mm) boards that have been cut to 50cm in length. Drill pilot holes and screw them into the base of the planter.
Line up the 4 X 3×1 inch (75mmx44mm) lengths for the feet on each corner and screw to the base.
Fill the DIY strawberry planter with a compost, farm manure and ericaceous soil mix. Water heavily and leave for a day or two.
Top up with more soil and cut the liner through the holes in a +. Use a stick or dibber to poke a hole in the soil then carefully use it to feed your strawberries into the hole. Repeat until all 42 of your strawberries are planted!
Sit back, take in what you’ve accomplished, and enjoy a whiskey on the rocks. You’ll be waiting a little while until there are any strawberries…
Get some fine mesh netting to cover the strawberries and protect them from the birds. You could cover them with a greenhouse covering when the fruit begins to appear as this will help them ripen faster.
If you want to read more about growing different types of fruit you can check out our grow your own cocktail guide.
