How to Grow Strawberries in an Old Trash Can

Clean the trash can thoroughly with 1 gallon warm water, 1 tsp. dish soap and 1/4 cup chlorine bleach to kill any pathogens that might cause disease. Rinse the trash can in clean water.

Drill or cut small holes in the bottom and sides of the trash can so water drains properly. Without drainage holes, the roots will rot, causing the strawberries to die.

Fill the trash can with a lightweight potting soil that contains compost and vermiculite. The compost adds texture and improves drainage, while the vermiculite holds moisture.

Plant strawberry plants in the potting soil, placing them 6 to 8 inches apart. Select healthy, compact plants adapted to your region. Everbearing or day-neutral types work well for containers because they produce fewer runners than June-bearing types. Try Ozark Beauty, Fort Laramie or Quinalult.

Remove all the berries and flowers until July 1. Removing berries initially allows the plants to develop strong roots, which will promote heavier bearing later.

Water the strawberries several times per week to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy. Strawberries need at least 1 inch of water weekly to produce high-quality, juicy fruit. Containers dry out more quickly than strawberries grown in ground, so monitor moisture levels frequently, especially during dry, hot weather.

Fertilize the berries every four weeks with a water-soluble balanced fertilizer. Strawberries in containers need more frequent fertilizing than those grown in-ground. Give a final fertilizer treatment after the last harvest to promote strong root growth for next year.

Remove runners throughout the growing season and remove all the small plants from the trash can in early fall, leaving only the large plants. These plants will produce a larger harvest the following year than small, immature plants.