Strawberry beds - features of vertical beds, tips

Growing strawberries in vertical beds is a rather unusual but effective way. Vertical strawberry beds can be a real salvation for owners of small plots who have to save every square meter. As a rule, giving preference to more solid and necessary crops in the economy, many gardeners abandon strawberry beds in favor of planting potatoes or other vegetables. Vertical placement eliminates the need to save space in this way.

How to place strawberry beds

It is especially beneficial to grow strawberries vertically in areas with a slope or multi-level relief - the beds can be placed along the vertical part of the slope, effectively using the usually useless area. Experienced gardeners recommend creating multi-tiered structures, best of all - 7 tiers. Strawberries in tall, vertical beds are easy to care for as they are very easy to care for. no need to bend low in order to weed plantings and harvest. Wood, plastic, metal, old tires, and clay are used as materials for the manufacture of vertical structures.

Vertical beds for strawberries - cons of the method

Despite the obvious advantages of this method of growing strawberries, it also has a number of disadvantages. First of all, this is a lack of food and moisture due to the limited area. Vertical beds require more frequent watering and fertilization than traditional cultivation. For the winter, such beds must be carefully covered, since vertical structures may not be completely covered with snow, and the plants will suffer from frost. Another way out of the situation is the manufacture of portable beds that can be brought to a horizontal position for the winter. For beds with strawberries, a well-lit area, thoroughly protected from the wind, is traditionally chosen.

Strawberry bed material

Plastic beds
The easiest way to build a vertical bed is to dig in a plastic pipe with a diameter of 10 cm vertically. To erect a more extensive structure, you will need to connect several of these pipes together. The convenience of using this material lies in the fact that the necessary connecting elements can be purchased in the store along with the pipes. With the help of tees and elbows, you can build a bed of any shape and size.

To create a volumetric bed, you need to place two pipes in parallel on the ground, connecting them using tees with vertical posts inserted into them at an angle. From above, the pipes are connected by another longitudinal pipe using tees. In shape, such a bed will resemble an inverted letter V. Gravel must be poured inside the pipes - this will make the structure more stable and protect it from moisture. In order for the strawberry antennae to be better fixed on the racks, you can make small (about 10 cm in diameter) holes in them at a distance of 20 cm from each other. The lower part of the structure is covered with soil, in which strawberries will be planted, and on top you can place another horizontal pipe with holes - it will serve for watering.

Wooden boxes
For gardeners looking to build a garden with sustainable materials.Unlike plastic, wood is less durable, it can be damaged by pests and fungi, wooden structures are heavier than plastic ones and usually cost more. The principle of construction remains the same as in the case of plastic pipes.

The presence of an unnecessary wooden barrel on the farm will allow not only to save money, but also to create a very unusual in shape, albeit somewhat cumbersome bed. To do this, you just need to drill holes in the walls of the barrel for shoots and partially fill it with soil. The disadvantage of this design may be insufficient illumination due to its closed shape.

DIY strawberry beds

Vertical strawberry beds are a fairly effective way to save space on the site and even give it a decorative effect. A variety of materials for the manufacture of such beds allows you to choose an option that matches the wishes and financial capabilities of the site owner. The laborious process of erecting vertical structures subsequently pays off with a bountiful strawberry harvest.

How to make a bed for strawberries -photo