Grow berries in pots and control the conditions | Gardening Australia

Josh shows how growing berries in pots can yield healthy and delicious results.

Protecting Strawberries

Strawberries are perfect for pots because they’re shallow rooted, compact, and like rich soil. Josh plants Strawberry ‘Temptation’ as it produces loads of medium size, sweet fruit. Self-watering pots allow for some water to be held at the base of the pot and be pulled up by roots via capillary action. Josh plants strawberries into these using premium potting mix and pelletised chicken manure as strawberries are very hungry plants. Seedlings should be placed about 30cm apart with their roots very gently teased apart before planting. Finish off with a straw mulch to keep moisture in and keep the fruit off the soil.

Strawberries are prone to mildew and are loved by slaters, slugs, and snails, so having them in pots allows you to place them up off the ground where they will get plenty of sun and air flow, and be out of harm’s way.

Controlling Blueberries

Blueberries are well suited to pots but do need a large one. They are fussy about soil pH, so it’s best to use a potting mix designed for azaleas, which are also acid loving plants. Josh adds a little extra fertiliser every 3 months. Place blueberries in a sunny spot with some protection from afternoon sun in warmer months.

Pots allow you to take control of the specific soil and sun needs of the blueberry to ensure you get the best crop.

Containing Blackberries

Blackberries regularly throw out runners, so if you leave them be, they will quickly spread and grow everywhere. Pulling out and potting the runners can create whole new plants. They need a large pot and something to climb on. Josh uses a 32-litre plastic pot with a tall piece of weld mesh that the plants will be tied to as they grow. He also adds pelletised chicken manure to a premium potting mix. They need full sun and plenty of water, so add mulch on top and keep the water up.

Featured Plants

Strawberry ‘Temptation’ Fragaria x ananassa cv.

Blueberry Vaccinium cv.

Thornless Blackberry Rubus cv.

Josh Byrne

Filmed on Whadjuk Country


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[matthewfarrell]

I grow my strawberries in a flood and drain bed outside, with the rest of the hydroponics, other than birds it sends them nuts with growth, runners and fruit lol.

For blueberries, we have soil in the 6-6.5 range so we planted into the soil with some sulfur. 11 different varieties with Midyim berries.

The brambles (blackberry, raspberry etc) we planted them along the front to create a very fruitful front fence.

[sunflower]

Love this video- got heaps of ideas out of too, plus I can relate to the months/seasons, as I’m from Australia.... not the USA.

[jefferimperial]

using organic material nice and easy work good benefits of plant!😇

[AAHomeGardening]

Lovely
My berries are all in containers
Like my tayberry, raspberry, strawberries etc

[dastamericus]

I watched eventhough I already grow, strawberries, blueberries and gooseberries in pots. I am always surprised by how much we harvest. It's ridiculous easy.

[Monica.S]

Great video! Super helpful for a beginner

[blackbart]

There is a spot in my backyard that I cant keep green for grass...so it's time
for a berry run. I'm puttin' blackberries, rasberries, blueberries, and strawberries
in next spring, which will of course lead to canning adventures later.

[abhishekjha]

Hi,

I am novice when it comes to gardening however I have enjoyed doing it at my new place...loved the video as I plan to grow some berries myself...
Any suggestions for any particular brand of potting mix suitable for blackberry and blueberry that I can grab from Bunnings please??

[Quincy_V.T]

Can u pls do a vid on this on iview and also can u do a vid about veggies and herbs

[danielh]

I find it almost impossible to grow blueberries in the ground so pots are essential. Also I've started mulching with chopped up pine needles which are free. Has anyone had success with pine needle mulch?

[carolalderson]

Being from UK originally, I have loved blackberries from a child. Tried to grow a runner purchased ( not cheaply) from a garden centre but no joy. Can you advise where I might buy something more established to plant in a container. I am just down the coast to you.
Greatly appreciate any help.

[oneeyedphotographer]

Aren't blackberries declared noxious weeds?

[jaychaudhry]

What variety of blueberry are you growing mate? I’m having trouble with my sunshine blue, it produces flowers but no fruit and I don’t understand why. If anyone could help that would be much appreciated.

[katherynorchard]

I grow blueberries now at the new address I have to fight the birds of a morning to get them away & if that's not bad enough I now have a rogue rabbit that seems to have taken a liking to my berries so every night I tuck them in with netting & pegs. Im not going to start on my veg garden

[kimgrundy]

he should show more Australian Native Plants which is where he lives.