These planting will require close care in watering, fertilizing, and other cultural requirements. You may find fruit production in hanging baskets disappointing. Everbearing or day-neutral types are best suited for container production. The containers you choose should be well-drained. You can replace the peat moss with well-rotted manure or compost.
Fruit harvested in the morning usually has a longer shelf life.
You can refrigerate fruit for several days. Avoid washing fruit until just before you use it, to prevent softening and decay. The incidence and spread of fruit rot may be decreased by preventing a matted row planting from becoming too dense and by picking and discarding infected fruit. For varieties best suited for the home gardener see Home Varieties. For varieties best suited for the commercial grower see Commercial Varieties.