I posted this photo mid March, of the strawberries I transplanted from raised beds into some old gutters we had. I got the idea one even afternoon while looking on Pinterest.
I worried they may not be happy. I worried they might need too much hand watering than I would be willing to do.
I’m happy to report the strawberries in the gutter project has been successful.
If I had it to do over again, I wouldn’t drill quite so many holes in the bottom to let the water drain. I drilled a hole about every eight inches. If I were you, I’d only put one hole every three feet. That would cut down dramatically on hand watering, but still allow ample drainage.
Because I drilled so many holes, I am left hand watering them every other day when the temperatures reach the 80′s, and I bet I’ll be out there once a day when we get to the 90′s. I’m lucky that we pump water from our creek to water the garden.
Every afternoon the kids go down to the garden and pick a big bunch of strawberries.
Weeding and fence building may not be their thing, but berry picking and eating … they’re all over that.
~Caroline
what is the gutter connected to? a fence?
The Wanna Be Country Girl Reply:
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:17 PM
Hi Shirley,
The gutter is mounted on the top rail of the garden fence. I’ve actually loved having the strawberries in the gutter. I drilled holes in the bottom of the gutter at about 6 inch intervals. I’m planning on filling in at least half of the holds with caulk because they required a lot of watering in the heat if the summer.
Good luck and let me know if you decide to give the gutter strawberries a try.
~Caroline
Hi,
I’m doing the same thing with our strawbs. I’m curious as to what you used for soil in the gutters? Did you check pH at all?
Cheers, Dan
The Wanna Be Country Girl Reply:
August 4th, 2012 at 12:57 PM
Hi Dan,
The strawberries were growing in the garden in raised beds filled with a combination of Ga red clay and composted horse manure. I dug them up with a good amount of garden soil and put them in the gutters. I wish I could say I tested the soil, but I’m not that good. I am going to test this winter before spring planting. Let me know how your work for you.
~ Caroline