The problem is, some homes just don't have the right aspect, space, or even a garden, to plant any food crops. So when faced with this dilemma I opted to make something to suit my client's tight space using common everyday materials. You will need:
3m 100mm PVC drainage pipe
50mm hole saw
Power drill
10mm drill bit
6 stainless steel 60mm wood screw
3 pipe brackets
2 pipe ends
Strawberry mix
12 Strawberry plants
I began by fitting an end cap to one end of the pipe. Do not glue it in place as you will want to replace the mix at the end of the season. The easiest way to fill the pipe is to get the pipe in a vertical position and then just pour the mix into the open end and let gravity do the work! I used my truck roof to do this. Be careful as the filled pipe will be heavy, so get some help to lower it back to a horizontal position.
Once full, I fitted the pipe to the fence using the fence rail to fix into. Space the pipe clips evenly across the entire length of the pipe to evenly distribute the weight, and get some help to hold the pipe in place as you close the brackets over the pipe.
Next, mark the spaces for the plants about 150mm to 180mm apart, and using the hole saw and power drill, make the holes for the plants along the top edge of the pipe. Now make some drainage holes about 500mm apart on the underside of the pipe at the lowest point possible.
Using a garden knife or scraper, empty out some of the mix to allow space to insert the plant, and plant out the entire pipe. Done!
Helpful Hints
To get a great crop you will need to buy some strawberry food and feed about every 2-3 weeks while they are fruiting. Position the planter in full, all day sun. Attach some shelf brackets above the planter, fix some gardening wire along the perimeter and drape some bird proof netting to prevent theft! Leave the strawberries to sweeten on the plant before harvesting...red does not always mean sweet! Buy a moisture meter to test when the plants will need water, and keep them just moist, not wet.
