Feasibility of growing strawberries inside west window

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Tigerlily09 Atlanta, GA(Zone 7b) Mar 25, 2009

Hello,

There are all kinds of wonderful yummy things I'd love to grow this summer but I'm limited because I live in an apartment. I'm going to need all the sunny space on my balcony for other things. Besides, I just know the birds will eat any strawberries I put out there, right? I have a spare room with a 4'x4' window that faces due west with unobstructed afternoon sun. So I was thinking... shelves full of strawberry plants! I asked the guy at Lowe's how big a pot one strawberry plant would need and he guessed about 8", what do the rest of you think? I just know they will suck up water so I'm sure I can devise a wick or capillary system.

If that won't work, I can try windowboxes on the balcony but I forsee water issues as it is so sunny and hot. Again, how would I keep the birds off? My apt manager might complain if I drape my entire balcony with ugly bird netting, too. =)

TL

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XMelissaX Indianapolis, IN(Zone 5b) Mar 25, 2009

I'm not familar with growing strawberries, but I would say go ahead and try it. I did try to start some seeds one year but didn't have much luck with that (completely different situation though). Regardless of how much light the room may get, it is still significantly less then outside. There are a lot of plants that will do just fine though. Maybe plant a couple strawberries this year and see how they do before you invest a lot into shelving, and next year if it's successful-go all out.

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Dorkasaurus Albuquerque, NM(Zone 7a) Mar 25, 2009

From what I've read they will grow indoors but need at least six hours of (direct) sunlight. I'm guessing they'll need to be fertilized frequently, especially when/if they're setting fruit. I wouldn't expect buckets of fresh berries but it can't hurt to try.

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Mar 25, 2009

If you can't get enough sunlight you could try setting up some fluorescent lights to help them as well--you can get a cheap shop light at Lowes/Home Depot and get a plain old fluorescent bulb for it (no need to buy the fancy expensive plant lights).

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cathy4 St. Louis County, MO(Zone 5a) Mar 25, 2009

I'd get one of those mylar emergency blankets to put behind the shelves to reflect the sun back on to the plants. They are light weight and cheap, about $3.

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Apr 02, 2009

How will you get strawberries without bees to fertilize the flowers to grow fruit?.

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dipsydoodle Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom Apr 02, 2009

You can try and polinate the flowers yourself using a paint brush. I grew strawberries outside for the first time last year and I bought a few from a garden centre - you don't need to buy many I actually bought 6. You can buy the plants quite cheaply because they self propagate so easily. As I say I started with 6 and I now have around 25.

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Apr 02, 2009

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