Ordering Strawberry Plants

[mhj75]

I want to order some strawberry plants and have been looking around the net at the online stores. Most say they will despatch end-October to beginning of November. Why is this? I thought you were supposed to get strawberry plants in now. If I were to get them Oct-Nov would that be OK? Thanks for any help.

[mhj75]

[Fork]

September is the time for plating but if yours dont arrive until November,save them to plant in April.

[mhj75]

Thanks - that's what all the books say. I don't understand why the online stores are despatching them so late...

[Fork]

You dont live in Derby or Notts do you?.......cos I have loads of runners you could have if you did!

[Fork]

Just looked at your profile so I got my answer........pity,I went past Bristol on my way to Cornwall 2 weeks ago  :)

[mhj75]

Thanks for the offer. I actually have loads of plants myself in my current bed, but they're all of a June variety. I wanted to get some mid and late-season plants, and replant the bed to freshen it up because yields have been getting steadily worse over the last few years.

[pigeonseed]

I think that if a reputable supplier arranges to send them in Oct-Nov then there will be a reason for that and you should plant them as they direct and don't need to keep them till spring. I ordered two varieties, and one was delivered in summer, soon after purchase, but the other type won't be delivered till Oct-Nov either. I have trusted that they know what they're talking about! (fingers crossed!)

This is a description of the different sorts which Ken Muir sell, I don't know if it helps:
"Fresh dug plants are usually available during October. These will fruit in the first summer following planting.

Frozen plants are available from March/April to mid July. These will fruit within 60 days, provided they are planted outdoors between May and July. If planted before May they will crop within 90 days. Pot-grown plants are available from early August to mid September. These plants are supplied in 8cm peat pots and will establish very rapidly to make very strong plants capable of producing a very heavy crop the following summer."
http://www.kenmuir.co.uk/index.php/soft-fruits-vegetables/strawberries.html

[mhj75]

Interesting, thanks pigeonseed. I think I will have to ask the supplier what to do. Incidentally, the cheapest i found were these people, J Parkers: http://is.gd/ftzFu. I have quite a big allotment and a family who all love strawberries so I want to plant a big bed - hence getting a lot of plants quite cheaply is pretty important.

[pigeonseed]

That's useful to know - I think I bought mine from T&M and they did Cambridge Favourite something like 15 for £2.99 but that will be no good for you, as they're a June fruiting one, I think.

Which varieties have you gone for, to extend the season?

[Deb P]

Hmm, you are inclined to get what you pay for from Parker's...I have had ferns and herbaceous plants from them before and they were extremely small and only a few established themselves, but to be fair they did eventually get to flowering size a few years later! ::)

I'm replacing my strawberry bed this year too, and have ordered from Marshalls and Ken Muir. I know I will get good plants that will fruit next year and are sturdy enough to propgate from...although I have recently had an email from Ken Muir telling me they have had a crop failure on one of the varieties I ordered, 'Chelsea Pensioner', so I am having to wait until next year for those...... ::)

[mhj75]

Hmmm... food for thought. Not sure about varieties. I usually find it quite difficult to match varieties from the catalogue to what actually happens in the garden. i.e. something completely different happens. (e.g. no one uses the term 'pointlessly bland' to describe Moneymaker tomatoes). So I  will probably take pot luck. Whatever mid, late or perpetual varieties they have on offer.

[Deb P]

I have ordered a mix of tried and tested favourites (Gariguette, Marshmello), some recommended varieties from peeps on this site (Cambridge Late Pine ) new varieites that are similar but fruit at a different time from my established faves (Marshmarvel, Amelia) and some varietes I just liked the sound of...(Chelsea Pensioner )...see there is amethod in my madness.... ::) ;D

Marshmello has an outstanding sweet flavour, Gariguette is also fab but a bit sparse on the fruiting front and more prone to drought.

[SMP1704]

I too would be wary of Parkers, for reasons already stated.  I noticed that my branch of Wyevales are selling of their strawberry plants 50% off, so 75p each.  Do you have one near you?

Marshmello was new for me last year, fab first year crop and masses of runners - I cut off most but a few escaped and rooted, so I have spare already ;D

Another addition to my patch last year was Mara des Bois, still fruiting on some plants - also masses of runners.

[sawfish]

I bought 25 Cambridge Favourite from J. Parker. I reckon I should just plant them when they arrive. It says October. Is that reasonable?

[PurpleHeather]

We are all cursed with the desire to get fast results. Growing fruit is a bit of a long term project .

Strawberries are not difficult to grow, even after a terrible winter when they all look dead, they come back.

The first year, is often a bit low on fruit volume but the second year, is better.

Whilst I am certain the experts who write the books are much more knowledgable than myself.  For a hobby gardener,  I would say if you have to buy them. Buy half what you need, plant them when you get them and in September of year the following year take the best runners made after fruiting and  plant these in between the first ones.

That way, when you notice that the ones you bought have started to expire, you can plant runners in their place.