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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: dtw on February 22, 2007, 23:38:30

Title: Strawberry plants
Post by: dtw on February 22, 2007, 23:38:30
I grew them in pots last year and produced loads of extra plants from the runners.
I want to plant some of these on my lottie this year.
I'm not sure what variety they are, but they could be Cambridge Vigour.
They fruit in June.

How far apart should they be?

I am going to put netting over to stop the birds, but what's the best way of deterring
the pesky slugs?
Title: Re: Strawberry plants
Post by: Curryandchips on February 22, 2007, 23:41:08
Quote from: dtw on February 22, 2007, 23:38:30
I am going to put netting over to stop the birds, but what's the best way of deterring
the pesky slugs?

Does straw work?
Title: Re: Strawberry plants
Post by: jennym on February 22, 2007, 23:47:28
I plant mine a foot apart each way. I don't net, and don't seem to lose many to birds. Mine grow upright, and this keeps the fruit away from the soil, but sometimes have grown them through pieces of chicken wire, the fruit and leaves lay on top and keep clean. Straw is fine if you use a lot of it as the top layer keeps dryish, but I don't use straw.
Someone posted about growing them in raised troughs not so long ago, this helps keep slugs at bay but then you've got the irrigation problem. The PYO farms near here grow like this, tabletop they call it, and basically they use something like polystyrene troughs raised on framework made from old polytunnel frames adapted, or scaffold poles or somesuch. They don't net either.
Title: Re: Strawberry plants
Post by: Chris Graham on February 23, 2007, 08:16:05
I read 18" apart, but on my wee plot i put them 8" apart (read wrong)  ;)
Title: Re: Strawberry plants
Post by: manicscousers on February 23, 2007, 16:17:15
about 12 to 15" apart, planted through weed control, straw under when they get  berries on, likewise netting  ;D
Title: Re: Strawberry plants
Post by: dtw on February 23, 2007, 19:22:24
It looks like I'll be able to space them out a bit, as my new lottie is a double plot.  :D
Title: Re: Strawberry plants
Post by: powerspade on February 23, 2007, 19:56:23
I have a lot of new plants to go in I`ll be placing then about a foot apart, I will not let them fruit this year so that the crown will have Chance to grow stronger
Title: Re: Strawberry plants
Post by: Tee Gee on February 24, 2007, 11:40:08
12"-15 apart ;


(http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Strawberries/Strawb%202.jpg)
Title: Re: Strawberry plants
Post by: dtw on February 24, 2007, 14:11:57
They look healthy, mine have only got a few smallish leaves on.
They are still in pots in waterlogged trays though. I just tipped the water out.
My new lottie isn't ready for planting yet, so I am going to put them in the greenhouse to dry out a bit.
Title: Re: Strawberry plants
Post by: kt. on February 24, 2007, 14:12:45
Blo*dy he*l Tee Gee. Mine are not as green as yours though they started green. Some leaves are brown as if the plant has died. but I am leaving them to see if they regenerate.

I planted my first batch in autumn. They are in a raised bed, surrounded by straw with a net over the top. This picture is one I took in December of some plants. They are planted 7-8inches apart. Until harvest time I wont know if they are too close or if they survive the spring/summer pests.
Title: Re: Strawberry plants
Post by: hazelize_uk on February 26, 2007, 21:31:24
i've been given a large trough which is used at royal mail for moving letters about that would be ideal know as a coffin!  but what soil mixture would you guys suggest using in it?