Growing Strawberries in a Tower Garden: Sweet, Simple, and Oh-So-Satisfying
So, you’re wondering if you can grow strawberries in a Tower Garden? Heck yes, you can! 🙌 And it’s not just possible—it’s downright awesome. These juicy little gems aren’t just delicious; they’re nutritional powerhouses packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. 💪 In fact, strawberries are one of the top 20 fruits for antioxidant capacity and are a great source of manganese and potassium. Talk about a superfruit! 🌟
But there’s a catch…
Strawberries also have a dirty little secret—they’re regular offenders on the Dirty Dozen 🍓🚨, the EWG’s list of fruits and veggies with the most pesticide residue. If keeping your food chemical-free is important, growing your own strawberries in a Tower Garden is a no-brainer. 🙅♀️🌱
Now, if you’re a newbie gardener 🌱, the idea of growing strawberries might feel a bit intimidating. Don’t worry! 😌 While they’re a little more hands-on than, say, parsley, it’s much easier than you think. In this guide, we’ll break it all down so you can enjoy fresh, pesticide-free strawberries right from your Tower Garden. 🍓✨
🍓 Choosing Your Strawberry Type
When it comes to growing strawberries, not all varieties are created equal. Let’s take a quick look at your options! 👀
1. June-Bearing Strawberries 🌞
These give you one BIG harvest each year during early summer. 🍓 While perfect for northern gardeners, there’s a catch—you won’t see a full harvest until the second year. Most Tower Gardeners skip growing these from seed because waiting two years is… well, a long time. 😅 (The Chandler seedlings we offer are June-bearing!)
2. Everbearing Strawberries 🌼
Unlike June-bearers, these beauties keep producing throughout the season as long as temps stay between 35–85°F. 🌡️ They’re also called day-neutral because they bloom regardless of daylight hours. While the overall yield is a bit lower, the consistent harvests make them a favorite. (The Albion seedlings we offer in the spring and/or fall are everbearing!)
🌟 Pro Tip: Not sure which type to grow? Check with your local extension office for recommendations based on your area.
🌱 How to Plant Your Strawberry Seedlings
Good news—strawberries are hardy little plants. 💪 If your temps stay above 35°F, you’re good to grow! While you can start from seed, it takes about three years to get a full harvest. Ain’t nobody got time for that! 😂 Save yourself the wait and grab some seedlings or bare-root plants.
🌞 Growing Tower Garden Strawberries: The Essentials
Before you get growing, here are a few key things to keep in mind:
1. pH Levels 📏
There’s a common misconception that strawberries need a different pH than other Tower Garden crops. Nope! Keep your pH between 5.5 and 6.5—just like everything else—and you’re good to go. ✅
2. Sunlight ☀️
Strawberries LOVE the sun! 🌞 Give them at least 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Indoors? If you’re using Tower Garden LED lights, keep them on for at least 14 hours a day. 💡 While Tower Garden doesn’t officially recommend growing fruiting plants indoors, some growers have made it work! 👏
3. Pollination 🐝
For strawberries to fruit, they need pollination. Outside, bees and wind will handle this for you. 🐝 Inside? You’ll need to hand-pollinate. Don’t worry—it’s easy! Just grab a small paintbrush, Q-tip, or even an electric toothbrush (not the one you use, obviously! 😂) and gently brush the inside of each flower to transfer pollen. You’ll see berries forming in just a few days! 🍓
4. Watering 💦
Strawberries are picky about water—they hate being overwatered. 😤 Make sure your Tower Garden’s pump is on a timer. If you’re growing only strawberries, set your timer to the outdoor setting or 15 minutes on/30 minutes off.
5. Runners 🌿
Strawberries love to send out runners (little off-shoots that help them reproduce). If you want bigger harvests, snip those runners and replant them in Rockwool cubes. ✂️ More flowers = more fruit! 🍓 If your plant is making too many runners and not enough flowers, it might be too hot or your nutrients might be too strong. Drain the reservoir and start fresh with a new batch of nutrients.
🐛 Watch Out for These Common Pests and Diseases
Tower Garden greatly reduces the risk of pests and diseases, but you should still keep an eye out for these troublemakers:
- Aphids 🦠: Tiny insects that cause new plant growth to look puckered or deformed.
- Mites 🕷️: Sap-sucking pests that can stunt plant growth (or worse, kill it).
- Japanese Beetles 🪲: These guys munch on plant leaves and flowers.
- Powdery Mildew ❄️: Looks like a white-gray powder on the tops of leaves.
If you spot a problem, check out this guide on how to naturally deal with pests. 🌿
🍓 Ready to Get Growing?
Growing strawberries in your Tower Garden is totally worth the effort! There’s nothing quite like picking a fresh, juicy berry right off the vine—especially when you know exactly where it came from. 😍 For more tips, check out [Tower Garden Success in 6 Easy Steps].