Practicle and space saving or a waste of time and money?

[Inky]

Hi I have just been finally allocated an allotment from my council, so Im now in the planning stages. I want to grow predominently fruit.
I was looking at these for growing strawberries
http://www.primrose-london.co.uk/strawberry-barrel-p-2952.html?source=googleads&gclid=CMj4yaCW5pcCFYwH3godOy8ADA
Thinking of growing about 60 plants in total in 2 or these (30 in each) Thought they would make great space savers, as weel as the nets keeping of birds and the planters easier to protect from slugs.
But I was reading in my fruit growing book today about how the tower type planaters for strawberries werent very good, as they dont allow for adequete root growth and dry them out to much etc resulting in weak plants with a far lower yeild.

So what do you think? Has anyone used them and what sort of results did you get?

[Inky]

[tonybloke]

can you water these towers twice or three times per day?

[manicscousers]

hiya, Inky...welcome to the site ,congrats on your allotment, we prefer to grow the strawberries in the ground, we found they needed too much care and watering in containers, I could be wrong  ;D

[tonybloke]

Sorry Inky, welcome to the mad mad world of allotments ;)

[Tee Gee]

I have never had any success in growing them in pots and as Tony says watering can be a problem.

I have often thought that root run is a problem as well, i.e. the root system of the lower plants has to push through compacted compost to develop and I guess they lack aerated soil.

So all in all this method wouldn't get my vote.

[saddad]

Welcome to the madhouse anyway Inky...  ;D

[Inky]

Thanks for the welcomes, I will be picking your collective brains throughout the upcoming weeks/months as I get planning.

Yes I thought they looked to good to be true. I will plant into the ground instead. Any recomendations on a suitable number of plants for a family of four?

[tonybloke]

hundreds!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[timnsal]

Hello Inky

Dunno how many plants you'll need, but if you're buying them then try to get several varieties that ripen at different times. Otherwise you'll have a great fortnight and nothing the rest of the year!

Sally

[Melbourne12]

Hello Inky

Dunno how many plants you'll need, but if you're buying them then try to get several varieties that ripen at different times. Otherwise you'll have a great fortnight and nothing the rest of the year!

Sally

I agree with this.  We have 30 plants, 15 each of two varieties, one early, one late.  In a good year that provides plenty for 5 people and some to give away.

[star]

Hello Inky and welcome ;D

I grow mine in window boxes and pots as I only have a garden to grow in. So i can water as often as is needed. Otherwise it would be a huge problem.

I also agree with growing a couple of varieties to spread the season:D

Here's wishing ya a fruitful 2009 ;D ;D

[Georgie]

Welcome from me too, Inky.

Like Star, I grow my edibles in my garden, mainly in pots. I give each plant an eight or 10 inch pot and they are fine.  But I see you have decided to grow in the ground and that is sensible if you have the space.  And just to add to the advice already given, try and squeeze in some Alpine varieties too.  These are small but strongly flavoured and mine are still flowering and fruiting despite the frost.   ;D

G x