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Fruit & Orchards

Gutter Strawberries

10 years ago

My three strawberry beds are filled with 'Mara des Bois' strawberries and new weeds, that started last fall. Will they transplant easily into the new 'gutter' system of growing strawberries? They are established plants with strong root systems. I am wondering if the transplanting will put them back a year? I also added 'Honeoye' strawberries that will be arriving this spring. Many thanks, Mrs. G

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Comments (9)

Charlie
10 years ago
Strawberries transplant very easily. I expand my strawberry patch every year by moving a few. That also provides a rejuvination of the patch. Can you post a picture of your gutters? I am considering building a tiered straeberry gutter system with four levels using 1X3 boards and 10 foot gutters. When I complied the material list it came to more than $200, so I am a bit hesitant.
mrsg47
Original Author
10 years ago
Charlie, I am building the the type of 'gutter' garden with gutters on either side of railings around a small deck. I will use large U-shaped hooks to hold up the gutters. I'll give you an estimate of costs and post a pic when the project is completed this spring. Mrs. G
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It is probably some fungus. Use Captan first, but it's probably too late for any current fruit. When mixing use rainwater or distilled water, not alkaline tap water. What I do is spray them before they start fruiting. Once they fruit I stop. They should stop during the summer heat, spray at that time. if you want to remain organic, well i can't help. Nothing else I tried worked. Captan might not work for this either. It works well for gray mold.
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At least in my zone, 5, these plants would not survive the winter well just hanging on the fence. The problem is the roots. I grow lots of fruits in pots. Depending on the size of the plant, I either pile leaves around the pot a couple of inches taller than the pot, or I drag it into an UNheated building. (Plants need "chilling hours" to produce fruit.) Keep in mind, plants WILL need water even in the winter, although not much. So don't stuff them in the garage and forget them. I'm trying strawberries in gutters this year. I will take them down, place them on the ground and cover them with leaves. I expect that to be sufficient as far as the winter is concerned. But there are other issues. My biggest concern is that the small volume of dirt will dry out too fast. Keep in mind, I haven't done the gutter thing before. Just drawing on general experience growing in larger pots.
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This is a creative idea, and is one version of the common one of putting holes in tubes, either horizontal or vertical towers, for strawberries. But it's not clear what the value of this is compared to a hanging open planter bed -- one in which the whole surface of the bed is exposed to the air. That is, without holes, like a gutter. In that kind of a design, the strawberry runners can root, and the bed can develop. With holes in a tube, runners won't get to root. Nowhere to go. Also, with an open bed, I would think it could be watered and fertilized more confidently. That being said, I guess the holes-in-tubes idea minimizes soil contact for the berries, which could be considered a benefit.
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Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
10 years ago
We have a gazillion wrought iron fences around decks. I would love to try this on our big deck. It's in the back yard over a lower driveway, so not visible from the street, but if we sprayed the gutter black, it would work. Imagine having wine on the deck with your gal pals, and just picking fresh strawberries to dip in brown sugar and sour cream........... Ahhhh

I need to know how you plug the ends of the gutters. I hope you address that. I'm subscribing to this topic for sure!

Suzi
mrsg47
Original Author
10 years ago
Dessertdance, I think I will find 'end caps' for the gutters, as they do exist. If not I'll have them made. If that becomes prohibitive in cost, I will use coconut lining fiber, drill holes on the end sides of the the gutters and wire the ends, holding the coconut fiber in place.. That should work. I have until April to figure it out. Will take pics as I go. Mrs. G
mrsg47
Original Author
10 years ago
Found the end caps on line at home depot. They will match the shape of my gutters that I will have purchased at Home Depot and cut to size there as well. Phew. Mrs. G
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
10 years ago
I am a subscriber to this thread and can't wait to see how your plan works. We do have HD here, so that part is good. Soil, water? Next part!

Suzi
mrsg47
Original Author
10 years ago
Desertdance, this is the original post, I am just a follow up on the original thread. Type this in the search section and the post with photos and tons of info will come up. It is excellent. Mrs. G

An Interesting Way to Grow Strawberries
Charlie
10 years ago
Someone post this plan on a previous thread. This is the plan I am considering building. Material from home depot comes to about $220.
drew51 SE MI Z5b/6a
10 years ago
I think i will also build that A-Frame. It looks super easy to do.
I was at Home Depot and noticed this giant gutter. Seems bigger than house gutters. Maybe not? Perfect for this project.

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