Almost everyone looks forward to the first strawberries in spring. Many people ask themselves whether you can grow strawberries in a flower pot in normal potting soil on the windowsill. You should know which special nutrients the strawberries need to make them particularly tasty.
Can you grow strawberries in potting soil?
Answer: Strawberries can grow in potting soil, but the crop may become less tasty. Ideally, you should use self-mixed “strawberry soil” made from garden soil with humus, sand, compost, clay and trace elements to achieve better results.
The right soil for strawberries
Strawberries like normal garden soil with humus and sand. It should be permeable and loose. Deposited compost, sand, clay, fine gravel or bark humus provide nutrients and loosen the soil. Horn shavings or primary rock powder provide the necessary trace elements. All of these ingredients can also be mixed yourself, as retailers often offer expensive special products that do not really support the growth of strawberries.
You should also consider that strawberry plants do not like freshly worked soil. If you are planning to plant strawberries, the soil should be prepared a few weeks before the planting date. The strawberries will thrive if the bed meets the following requirements:
- the soil is full of nutrients, deep and humus (humus content between 10 and 30%)
- the soil contains up to 30% green compost
- the earth is moist, but there is no risk of waterlogging
- the pH value is between 6 and 7
- Some clay powder is incorporated, increases the water storage capacity
If the earth does not correspond to the ideal state,
- Sand can be incorporated to loosen it up
- horn shavings provide an additional portion of nitrogen
- Primitive rock flour supplies the plants with trace elements
- Silicon is added to lime-rich soil
- Is lime added to acidic soil
The components of potting soil
This soil is specially designed for indoor, potted, balcony and patio plants, as plants in narrow pots place different demands on their soil.
Potting soil contains more nitrogen, more phosphates, less potassium, but more sulfur than normal garden soil. An important component is peat or humus, as well as fiber and clay granules for water storage. The stable structure of the potting soil allows the potted plants to grow well.
Strawberries will certainly also grow in potting soil, as there is usually a long-term fertilizer available. However, whether the berries taste good depends on a trial. However, if you have the opportunity to plant strawberries in the garden bed or in the balcony box with self-mixed “strawberry soil”, you should use this to get a delicious harvest.