Don't Throw Away Old Water Pipes - Stand Them Up and Grow a Whole Strawberry Patch

Many people know that strawberries can be grown in hanging baskets, but do you think growing them in water pipes is feasible? Well, the gardening enthusiast below actually grew a whole big patch, and I can only be envious.

These PVC pipes can be found everywhere, and home renovations will definitely leave plenty of them behind. If you have decent hands-on skills, making one yourself is no problem at all.

1. Materials Needed

An electric drill with a 5-7 cm hole-cutting bit (plus a small 3-5 mm drill bit)

Two pipes, one large and one small (the large one for planting, the small one for channeling water)

A saw, a cork, tape, hemp rope, potting soil (slightly acidic, fertile soil) and coarse sand.

You will also need a pressurized irrigation water pump.

Step 1: Drilling the Holes

Leave proper spacing between each drilled hole, generally around 8-10 cm, and plan out the arrangement of the holes. Which side gets more sunlight is something you need to consider too.

Step 2: Drilling Holes in the Small Pipe

Only drill holes in the upper 2/3 of the small pipe, because water will be channeled up there and will drip down from the upper part.

You can add more holes as air vents, which will also improve the soil's drainage.

Step 3: Completing the Watering Pipe

Thoughtful gardening enthusiasts will realize that if the small pipe is fitted directly inside the large pipe, soil will seep in through the holes of the small pipe. So you need to prepare burlap or non-woven fabric to wrap around the small pipe, preventing the soil from clogging the small holes, then tie it securely with hemp rope.

Seal off the small pipe first, otherwise soil will accidentally get inside when you add it. After that, add soil and plant the strawberries. With each layer of soil added, add a layer of gravel to prevent the soil from clogging - this is a little trick too.

Step 4: Planting the Strawberry Seedlings

You can add soil and gravel to the pipe while planting the strawberry seedlings. It is best to plant them with the soil ball attached, for faster recovery and a higher survival rate.

Generally, plant only on the side that gets plenty of sunlight. It is impossible to plant on all sides, as they definitely would not get enough light that way.

Step 5: Placement

There is some know-how in where to place this pipe. You can put it against a wall or at an angle, either is fine. What matters is adjusting the direction so it gets plenty of light.

Of course, the bottom of the pipe needs to have the small pipe inserted - this is a great tool for watering the strawberries, very convenient. The bottom of the pipe should also be filled with about 10 cm of gravel as a base layer, not only for drainage but also to make the bottom heavier so it does not tip over easily.

Step 6: Benefits of Growing in Pipes

Growing in pipes not only saves space but also prevents pests from crawling up. Everyone knows what the most troublesome pest for growing strawberries is - that's right, slugs. Grown in pipes, they have a hard time crawling up. Spreading a layer of crushed eggshells under the pipe gives double protection.

When picking strawberries, you will need to bring a ladder over!

Step 7: A Pipe Strawberry Patch in a Greenhouse

Don't think growing in pipes is just for fun - it can really achieve large-scale cultivation! Look at this big patch. I bet none of you have ever visited a strawberry patch like this!

Of course, you can also grow other vegetables, such as herbs, bok choy, lettuce, cilantro, and so on - all are possible.

Some gardening enthusiasts also use it to grow small varieties of tomatoes, and they grow quite well too!