Great setup! Growing strawberries in a 3-gallon grow bag inside a 5-gallon bucket is smart—it helps with insulation, drainage, and portability. To make the most of this container setup, here’s a DIY food/fertilizer strategy specifically tailored to your situation:
Mix this before planting or use as a top-up:
60% potting mix or coco coir
30% compost (homemade or bagged)
10% perlite or vermiculite (for drainage)
Optional: Mix in 1 tbsp bone meal and 1 tbsp blood meal per bag
Since grow bags drain fast and lose nutrients more quickly, feed more lightly and frequently.
Make this simple DIY "tea":
1 cup compost or worm castings
4 cups warm water
1 tsp molasses (optional but boosts microbes)
Steep 1–2 days, strain, and water your grow bag with it.
🔁 Alternate with a potassium boost during flowering/fruiting:
Banana Peel Tea
1 chopped banana peel + 2 cups water
Soak for 24–48 hours, then use to water the plant
Once a month, scratch this into the top inch of the grow bag:
1 tbsp bone meal (phosphorus for root/fruit)
1 tbsp wood ash or kelp meal (potassium)
1 crushed eggshell (calcium)
Drainage: Ensure your bucket has holes at the bottom or sides so water can escape—strawberries hate soggy roots.
Mulch the top with straw or pine needles to conserve moisture and keep berries clean.
Sunlight: Aim for 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.