Strawberries?

[Plot69]

Greetings all, long while since I've been on here for one reason and another, mainly due to finding my HF radio under the stairs and hooking it up to an aerial again after about 5 years. I just got so engrossed in the oldest digital mode known to man to the detriment of my two plots.

Anyway back to the subject. My strawberries, Cambridge something or other, are coming up to four years old now and to be honest they look a mess. I had over 60lb off them this year, and they still have fruit on now although they're all green. I was toying with the idea of digging them all up and replanting them but after three seasons I think they're passed their best so I'm going to replace them all.

My question is what types do you all grow. What do you recommend. What types wouldn't you grow?

I've researched plenty but they all claim to be the biggest and sweetest variety, so much so I'm totally confused.


Many thanks.

[Plot69]

[Digitalis]

Try and get a perpetual fruiting variety if you can.

[Squash64]

I recently asked about strawberry varieties and got lots of very helpful answers.  If you search 'What is your favourite strawberry' you should find it.  (sorry, don't know how to post a link)

[Plot69]

If you search 'What is your favourite strawberry' you should find it.  (sorry, don't know how to post a link)

Duh! Why didn't I think of that? Thanks Squash.

Looks like it's Marshmello then, they seem to be favourite.

[Squash64]

Glad you found it  :)

Yes, Marshmello was recommended by quite a few people.  A very kind forum member sent me some plants and I'm looking forward to trying them next year.

[Robert_Brenchley]

If they're cropping well, why replace them? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Let them grow on, and meanwhile take some rooted runners (you should have loads) and plant them out. They'll grow on and become your new bed the year after next.

[Plot69]

If they're cropping well, why replace them?

Basically I want a fresh bed full of known varieties that go well with full fat double Devon clotted cream. (First ever cholesterol test after 52 years... 3.3  ;D )

Seriously, I am going to keep the existing bed for another season or two, at least until the new one is established. Trouble is I remember initially buying three different varieties, two I know are Cambridge whatevers, the other I can't remember and they have all intermingled into one mass bed.

I know, I know. I should have kept them labelled but they've gradually migrated along the plot as I've planted new runners. As anyone who grows strawberries will tell you, a dozen new plants will multiply exponentially into 12 dozen after a few years and it's not easy to keep track.

In a nutshell, they were the first thing I planted into the first cleared bit of ground when I first got my plots. Excitement, enthusiasm and naivety  played a big part in mixing them all up. I know better now.

I shall definitely be getting some Marshmellows to try.

Thanks again.

[tombrew]

Hi, last year I had marshmello,Hapil,maras de bois and Gariguette. For flavour Gariguette was in a different class to the others (miles better ) maras de bois was very good ,hapil was good and the biggest and marshmello was very ordinary and bland .
Tom

[kt.]

I too am looking to replace all mine, but after next season.  I was looking for something that gives a long harvesting period.   Florence for harvesting Jun-Jul.  Flamenco from end of July through to as late as November apparently.  Both are from T&M but Dobies also do similar varieties to cover a long cropping period with one claiming to be able to harvest from late May.  (Obviously all due to the right weather of course)