Making a strawberry barrel is an old-fashioned way to grow strawberries. It is especially useful and convenient when space is limited. Beginning in the spring when the threat of frost is over, you will need to find a cedar, oak or redwood barrel. You can usually find these at your garden supply area. Stores such as Menards, Lowe’s Bomgarrs should some. You will also need hardwire cloth to help with drainage.
Begin to Cut Holes
Starting at least a foot above ground level, begin cutting a three to four inch hole in the side of the wood. You can use an electrical saw, or hand held one for this job. Some barrels are sold already predrilled with holes. Continue to cut holes every 10 inches or so. Cut holes toward the top of the barrel but leave at least 1 foot from the top free from holes. .chose some Everbearing strawberry plants.
On the bottom of your barrel, you need some drainage holes. You need to drill one good-sized hole or several smaller ones on the bottom of the barrel to allow for proper drainage. If you don’t, your plants will rot.
Now, find a platform with wheels underneath and place your barrel on top.Do this first, because moving them when filled with soil is almost impossible as the barrel is quite heavy. This will make it easier to move to a different location if you need to. It also allows you to turn your planter around so all the plants get ample sunshine.
The Hardwire Cloth Comes Next
Next, you need some hardwire cloth. From this cloth make it into a cylindrical collar about 4 to 6 inches in diameter and put it on the bottom and in the center of the barrel. Fill this collar with sand and gravel.
In a separate container mix, some soil or you can use a bag of premixed soil you bought at the store. For your own, mix equal parts of peat moss, cow manure and good topsoil. If cow manure is not available, use some fertilizer, but not as much as you would the cow manure. Read and follow label directions on how much to mix in with your soil.
Once the soil is mixed, begin to adding it, going around the collar. Pour only about 6 inches of soil around the collar at a time, then water it so the soil settles. Repeat this process of filling and watering until the barrel is filled with soil.
Now You Are Ready to Plant
Place one Everbearing strawberry plant in each of the holes you drilled. It is a little hard to do, but with a little care and patience, it can be done successfully. Now you wait. Water when the planter is dry. It won’t take too long and by late spring, you will be picking fresh and delicious strawberries.
***Fertilize every two to three weeks if it looks like your plants need it. Cut off any runners that form.
When wintertime comes or the season ends, either bring the barrel indoors or wrap it in 6 inches of straw or mulch to protect it from drying out or freezing.
Sources: Watching my friend who is an avid gardener make several through the years.
