Growing Soft Fruit in Planters
A Sweet Solution for Small Spaces
There’s nothing quite like stepping outside and picking fresh, sun-warmed berries straight from your own garden. Soft fruit plants – like strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, and blueberries – offer a rewarding way to grow your own food, even if you don’t have a large garden. But what about pots and planters? Can soft fruit really thrive in containers?
At Woven Wood, we believe planters aren’t just for flowers. In fact, with the right setup, many soft fruit varieties can do brilliantly in pots – and even outperform ground-grown crops in smaller spaces.
Why Grow Soft Fruit in Planters?
- Perfect for Patios, Balconies & Small Gardens: Not everyone has a large garden with flowerbeds or an allotment. Planters open the door to growing fruit just about anywhere – from a sunny patio to a modest balcony.
- Control Over Soil Conditions: Blueberries, for instance, love acidic soil – which can be difficult to manage in the ground. In a pot, you can tailor the compost to exactly what your plant needs, boosting health and productivity.
- Reduced Risk of Weeds & Pests: Containers tend to stay cleaner than open flowerbeds, helping minimise slug damage, weed growth, and soil-borne diseases. Ideal for strawberries and other vulnerable fruits.
- Mobility: Pots can be moved to catch the best of the sun, protected from late frosts, or shifted to sheltered spots in harsh weather – giving you more control throughout the growing season.
Which Soft Fruits Grow Well in Planters?
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Strawberries – Possibly the best fruit for pots. They thrive in troughs, hanging baskets, and shallow containers. Woven Wood offers larger planters with inserts to accommodate plants like strawberries while having them a bit higher up.
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Blueberries – Need ericaceous compost and good drainage. Great in a large planter, especially when paired with rainwater for best results.
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Raspberries – Look for compact or dwarf varieties like 'Ruby Beauty' which are bred specifically for containers.
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Blackberries – Trailing or compact types can be grown in large planters, trained on supports, obelisks or trellises.
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Currants (Red, White, Black) – Bush-forming and productive, they do well in pots 40cm wide and deep.
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Gooseberries – Hardy and fruitful in containers, especially when pruned well to maintain airflow.
Tips for Growing Soft Fruit in Planters
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Choose a large enough planter – Aim for at least 30–40cm depth for most varieties.
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Use quality compost – Add slow-release feed or compost with good drainage to encourage strong root growth.
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Water regularly – Pots dry out faster than the ground, so check moisture levels frequently.
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Feed throughout the season – Especially once fruit begins forming.
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Provide support – Canes, trellises, or obelisks help with taller varieties like raspberries and blackberries.
Plant and Harvest with Woven Wood Planters
At Woven Wood, we design our planters to be more than just containers – they’re part of the growing experience. Whether you’re setting up a strawberry trough, a potted blueberry bush, or a patio raspberry patch, our durable and attractive planters give your soft fruit the perfect home.
