Growing your own fruit can be fun and rewarding, but you might have reservations if you are limited on space. After all, fruit trees require a great deal of space and care. But the good news is even if space is an issue you can still grow your own fresh fruit. Berries are perfect for growing in pots because they do not require a great deal of space and can easily be contained and managed this way. Take a look at this list of five berries you can grow in pots, and see how simple it can be to have fresh berries at your fingertips all season long.
5 Berries You Can Grow In Pots
First, let’s take a look at a few questions people have when growing berries in pots. These can help you get started on growing your own crop.
What kind of pot should I use?
When choosing a pot for your berries, you want to choose something that is twice the width and twice the depth of the root system. This way, the roots have plenty of room to spread out. In most cases, you will use a planter that is at least 18 inches wide and 18 inches deep.
The planter should have proper drainage holes so that water doesn’t get backed up and drown the plant. If your planter doesn’t have drainage holes, you can always make your own using a drill.
What type of soil should I use when planting berries in pots?
Ordinary topsoil may not give your plant what it needs to thrive. Try mixing some compost and organic matter into the soil to give it a boost. The soil should be loose and not compacted. This will also allow the roots to grow with ease.
Now, here are five berries that you can grow in pots. These are plants that you can find at most home and gardening centers. You can also buy plants online or from a trusted grower. It is best to plant berries from seedlings as opposed to seeds. This will give you a strong head start and help you achieve results faster.
1. Strawberries
Strawberries are one of the easiest berries to grow in pots! You can grow strawberries in planters, window boxes, hanging baskets, and raised beds. They do enjoy full sun, so be sure to choose a warm and sunny spot for your container. Because strawberries are perennials, you can cover your plant and bring it indoors during the winter months. It will thrive again come spring.
My SIL and I bought a few strawberry baskets last year. They are beautiful, grow well, and yield sweet and delicious strawberries. Yum!
How To Grow Your Very Own Strawberry Patch
2. Acai Berries
Acai berries are one of the healthiest fruits you can eat, but have you ever noticed how expensive they are in stores? That is reason enough to try growing your own. Acai berries are a slow grower, so don’t expect quick results. If you are patient, you can enjoy them bearing fruit in about 3 years. While the acai berry plant doesn’t get very wide, it does get tall. Expect for it to reach heights of over 10 feet.
3. Blueberries
Blueberries are high in antioxidants and are healthy, as well as tasty, fruit. You can easily grow certain blueberry varieties (dwarf is ideal) in pots and have amazing results. Blueberries like sunshine and lots of heat, so choose a full sun space to place your container. Since blueberry plants like acidic soil, they are actually easier to grow in pots since you can control the acidity level with ease.
4. Mulberries
Most people think that mulberries only grow on trees, but the truth is they will do well in pots too! There are dwarf varieties that do well in containers, and because the plants are everbearing you can enjoy them year after year. Mulberry plants can be hard to find since they are only recently becoming popular again, but you can still find seedlings online via reputable growers. Just remember to give them a lot of sun, as the more heat they have the sweeter the berries will be.
Potting Soil Mixtures for Container Gardening
5. Raspberries
Raspberries do love their room, and raspberries can grow out of control quickly, however, you can still plant them in pots if you keep these tips in mind. It will be essential that you choose a thorn free variety, and be prepared to divide and repot every 3 years or so. Otherwise, the plant will run out of room and die. Raspberries need full sun, so keep this in mind when choosing an area for your pot. One more bonus? Weeds are less likely to grow in containers so you won’t spend as much time making sure your raspberries are in a weed-free environment.
10 Tips for Growing Raspberries
As you can see, you do have quite a few options when it comes to growing berries in containers. Consider this list of five berries you can grow in pots and choose the ones that may be best for you and your family!
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