Are you eager to enjoy fresh, juicy strawberries right from your own garden? Look no further! We have an exciting DIY project for you – a strawberry tower with a built-in reservoir. This innovative vertical planter is perfect for small spaces like patios or balconies. Plus, it’s made using recycled materials, making it a sustainable choice. Let’s dive into the details and explore how you can grow your own strawberries with this fun and practical project!
Key Takeaways
Materials and Tools Needed
Before we get started, let’s gather the materials and tools needed for this strawberry tower project:
- 5-gallon plastic nursery pots: Look for sturdy pots with drain holes at the bottom. If the holes are on the side, make a few holes at the bottom.
- Milwaukee 1.25″ Hole Saw and a drill
- 1-liter plastic water bottle and a sharp tool to punch holes
- Good potting soil mixed with worm castings and compost
- Strawberry seedlings
Step 1: Cutting Holes in the Strawberry Planter
To begin, mark 12 equally spaced holes on the sides of each pot. These holes will serve as the openings for the strawberry plants. Attach the Milwaukee 1.25″ Hole Saw to your drill and carefully drill the holes according to your markings.
Step 2: Adding a Reservoir to the Strawberry Planter
Now, let’s prepare the reservoir for the top pot of our strawberry tower. Cut off the bottom of the plastic water bottle and poke holes in the cap and sides, allowing water to seep through slowly. Screw the cap on tightly and place the reservoir in the center of the top pot. Remember, only the top pot in the stacked tower needs a reservoir.
Step 3: Adding Soil and Strawberry Seedlings
It’s time to fill our strawberry tower with soil and plants. Begin by adding soil and strawberry seedlings to the bottom pot. As you reach the top of the planter, add a layer of rocks or pebbles to prevent soil erosion when watering. Repeat this process with the remaining pots, excluding the reservoir and rocks. Once all the pots are stacked, you’ll have a fantastic vertical garden packed with up to 48 strawberry plants in less than 2 square feet!
Tips and Lessons Learned
Here are some valuable tips and lessons we learned from our previous DIY strawberry tower projects:
- Use a reservoir and rocks at the top of the planter to prevent rapid drying and soil erosion during watering.
- Make sure the holes in the pots are no larger than 1.25″ to avoid soil loss.
- Rotate the pots every 1-2 weeks to ensure all the plants receive adequate sunlight.
- Provide additional nutrients to your strawberry plants by filling the reservoir with diluted fish emulsion, compost tea, or worm tea every 1-2 weeks.
- If a seedling doesn’t survive, wait for the other plants to send out runners and tuck them into the empty spots. The runners will root easily.
By following these tips and applying what we’ve learned, you’ll set yourself up for a successful and bountiful strawberry harvest!
Conclusion
Isn’t it exciting to know that even with limited space, you can still enjoy a fruitful strawberry harvest? This DIY strawberry tower allows you to grow delicious strawberries right on your patio or balcony. With just a few simple materials and some creativity, you can create a vertical garden that not only saves space but also adds a touch of natural beauty to your surroundings.
For more gardening ideas and inspiration, visit Ames Farm Center. Happy growing!
