Version 3.1 is under construction with a couple of key changes. Version 1.0 was made with 2″ PVC (too small in diameter but close to being tall enough). The slots for planting were drilled with a hole saw. I shredded my fingers while planting the crowns because I failed to sand the rough edges. The density was very good but it was a challenge to keep them properly watered. Check out the start of my strawberry tower experiments here.
https://bishopsbackyardfarm.com/2011/11/02/strawberry-towers-phase-one/
I toyed with, played around with…………poor choice of words…..I am always wanting to improve on the prior efforts so I have modified V 1.0 and V 2.0 and then V 3.0 ……. 3.0 was not well thought out and the added pockets on the short towers were not well spaced out. They were crowded, impinged upon the others and looked ugly….but the berries grew pretty well.
With V 3.1 I started with 3″ PVC drain pipe and I chose the version that created pockets rather than drilled holes. I spaced them a little closer and arranged them in a logical and orderly fashion. I should be able to get 28 plants in a space that would have held 2-3 plants in a matted row system and much easier for an old guy to harvest without bending over.
The photos below show the construction process. Some time soon I will fill the pockets!
I left a space of 12″ at the top for a water reservoir above the first pocket. I space the remaining slots at 9″ vertically between pockets. I snapped another snapped line at about 90 degrees left and right. The pockets were staggered to better spread out the plants.
I use a paint stripper to heat up the plastic above the cut slot in order to shape the pockets.

Paint stripper used to heat the PVC pipe to soften the plastic so I can shape it. Posed picture but it pretty much shows the process.
I keep a leather glove on the hand that I use to shape the softened plastic PVC.
There is a blank space at the bottom. I use a post hole digger and plant the tower about 12 inches deep for stability.

A pocket on a V 2.0 model with a Chandler plant, This is what the new tower will resemble once filled
TTFN
Bishop
Jan 18, 2014 @ 02:37:51
LOVELY PICTURES BISH, YOU SHOULD DO A VIDEO THAT WOULD BE SUPER.. LOOKING FORWARD TO STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE. XOOXOXO MOM
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Jan 18, 2014 @ 13:22:48
Look for a package in the mail….Monday or Tuesday
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Jan 18, 2014 @ 12:48:42
This version looks well thought out. It looks like a great way to grown strawberries.
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Jan 18, 2014 @ 12:50:01
Meant to say “to grow”. 🙂 By the way, will you need a step ladder for watering?
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Jan 18, 2014 @ 13:02:11
I have a long watering wand that will work well. I do want to install a drip system later this spring.
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Jan 20, 2014 @ 21:56:38
Fantastic design, and with the drip system it’ll be even better, no doubt. Suddenly I’m picturing a whole hanging-gardens-of-Babylon/TX setup with four of these as corner posts and some kind of horizontal ones joining them at the top and filled with tomatoes, beans, cukes and any number of other trailing and cascading goodies…. Your madness is contagious, Bishop! Great T-shirt, too!!
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Jan 20, 2014 @ 23:13:47
Thanks. I have a few more ideas to save space rolling around in my mind. Terraced and elevated rain gutter plantings may be on the horizon. My wife gave me a long sleeve and short sleeve version of the shirt. She loves me a little!
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