A lidded storage tote is the easiest way to grow several strawberry plants in one Kratky container. It holds plenty of solution, the lid is simple to cut and the whole thing can be built in under an hour.
What to Buy
- An opaque tote with a firm lid, somewhere between 10 and 27 gallons. Avoid clear bins.
- 3 inch net cups, one for each plant.
- Clay pebbles to fill the cups.
- A hole saw a little smaller than the rim of your net cups, plus a drill.
Marking and Cutting the Lid
- Plan for one plant for every 3 to 4 gallons of tote, spaced 8 to 12 inches apart.
- Mark the hole centers, keeping them away from the lid edges and any raised ribs.
- Drill each hole with the hole saw, running the drill slowly so the plastic does not crack.
- Smooth the cut edges and test that each net cup hangs from its rim.
Stopping the Lid From Sagging
Tote lids are thin, and a lid loaded with fruiting plants bows in the middle. That lowers the net cups toward the solution and closes the air gap. Lay a strip of wood or rigid plastic across the tote under the lid, or choose a tote with a reinforced lid to begin with.
Filling and Planting
Put the tote where it will live before you fill it, because a full tote is heavy. Fill with water, add nutrients, set the pH between 5.5 and 6.5, and bring the level up to just touch the bottom of the net cups. Plant with each crown above the pebbles.
Running It
A tote needs topping up far less often than a jar or bucket, which is its main advantage. Check the level weekly at first, keep an air gap of a few inches, and replace the whole solution every few weeks.
Related guide: Choosing a Kratky strawberry container.
