Growing Fruit in the Home Garden:
Container Gardening

Container gardening is a practical way to enjoy the fruit we love in small spaces.Containers allow you to enjoy plants in areas where a traditional garden is awkward or impossible. Even the smallest patio or porch can provide you with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and even apples. In addition, depending on the portability of the container, tropical and subtropical fruits can be grown. While the possibilities are endless, there are a few guidelines that should be considered when putting together your container garden.

Container Selection

Almost any type of container can be used for growing fruit. The size of the container will vary according to the plant and space available. Clay pots may be the most commonly used container, however, keep in mind that clay is porous and water is lost from the sides of the container.Glazed ceramic pots are choices but require several drainage holes. Wooden containers are susceptible to rot, but redwood and cedar are relatively rot resistant and can be used without staining or painting. It is important to avoid wood that has been treated with creosote, penta or other toxic compounds since they can damage the plants. One advantage of wooden containers is that they can be built to sizes and shapes that suit the location.

The size of the container largely depends on the size of the plant, but a good rule of thumb is to use containers between 15 and 120 quarts capacity. Small pots restrict the root area and dry out very quickly.

Most importantly, make certain that the container has adequate drainage, with holes approximately 1/2 inch across. To improve drainage, consider setting the containe on bricks or blocks to allow free drainage.

Growing Media

Using a fairly lightweight mix is necessary for container gardening. Make sure your planting medium drains rapidly but retains enough moisture to keep the roots evenly moist. Most of our garden soil is too heavy for container gardening (unless your garden has sandy loam or sandy soil). Partially fill the container with soil, so that the soil surface is approximately 1-4 inches below the rim of the container, to allow for watering.

General Care

Watering & Fertilizing

It is important to monitor the water usage of your container plants. Because the volumes of soil are relatively small, containers can dry out very quickly, especially on a concrete patio in full sun. Daily or even twice daily watering may be necessary. Apply water until it runs out the drainage holes.

Make sure to provide your container garden with the proper fertilizer. Too little, and the plant will not thrive, too much and you will be faced with excessive overgrowth. In addition, too much fertilizer can cause salt accumulation, which can result in poor fruit set and even dieback. See the references at the end of this fact sheet for more information.

Pest Management

Plants grown in containers can be attacked by the various types of insects and diseases that are common to any garden. Plants should be periodically inspected for the presence of foliage and fruit-feeding insects as well as the occurrence of diseases.

Examples of Container Gardens

Below are examples of different types of containers used for growing strawberries.

For more information on container gardening, consult the following resources:

Fruit Trees in Containers (National Gardening Association)

Soil Common Sense (National Gardening Association)

Container Gardening (West Virginia Extension)

Blueberries in Containers (Dave Wilson Nursery, Reedley, California)