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Hi

I am very new to this growing your own malarky and was wondering if I could have some advice on the following please?   :)

1 - I have got some strawberry plants that are currently in pots, I am going to put them in grow bags, but have heard that you have got to be careful with slugs, birds etc. What is the best way to keep pests away?

2- When is it okay to put tomato plants and celery plants outside?

3- Herbs - I have got Rosemary & mint (which are in a raised bed) and have also got basil and coriander, when are these okay to go in the bed?

Apologies for all the questions, any advice appreciated please.

THANK YOU very much.

star10 x

My strawbs are in a large raised bed.  I put down straw around them to keep the fruit off the ground and don't have too much of a problem with slugs.  Got to net though to keep the birds off.  With growbags, you could stand the growbag on shingle or gravel to keep the slugs away and you'lll have to net them.

My toms are just starting to go out now - I'm in London and the weather forecast is set fair so they should be OK.  Check the forecast for you area.  I don't grow celery so can't help there.

Are your basil and coriander in pots and have they been hardened off?  If so, they should be OK.  I grow coriander from seed direct into the ground and it's popping up now.  I'll be putting pot-grown basil out next week.

Hi ceres

Thank you for the advice.

Will get on with getting my tomatoes out this week then, do they need to be hardened off? and also do you have to protect them from any particular pests?

My coriander and basil are both in pots, will prob wait until next week to get the basil out as it was only bought this week, how long does it need to be hardened off for? The coriander has been going outside in the day for about  a week and then goes in to a mini growhouse at night.

You should harden off the toms first.  Theoretically it takes a couple of weeks.  In practice I find a few days is enough if the weather forecast is good and they're not going in an exposed spot.

The worst problem with toms is blight.  Most outdoor toms will get it, how bad depends on the weather conditions.  Last year (lots of rain) it was terrible.  Year before (baking hot and dry) it was minimal.  As soon as I plant the toms out, I start spraying with bordeaux mix.  It doesn't stop the blight completely but it keeps it in check enough not to lose the whole crop.  The other thing to be careful with is rotation.  Don't plant toms in the same place each year or where potatoes or other nightshades were last year.

Hi there

My strawberries are in a bed with netting over them to stop the birds getting near. Rough straw around them helps with keeping the fruit clean and the slugs are not too keen on it.

All the herbs can be planted out in a bed as soon as you like. I keep mine in big tubs. rather than beds now. The plants last either one season or three years before they get woody and have to be replaced. Mint has to be kept in a tub or it will take over I find this easier than digging up weeding etc.

I have never known any one grow wonderful celery so I do not bother to try. Tomatoes can go out now judging by the weather forecasts.

Brilliant - thank you for your help.

I have put my tomatoes out in growbags now. The weather so far is glorious sunshine for the next few days (yippee)  ;D

I was thinking about keeping my strawberry's in the pots, they seem to like it in there and have got lots of flowers etc. I have got 2 plants to a pot, so maybe they need some more room?  I will plant them somewhere more permanant next year.

My celery is looking quite good, I bought them as baby plants from a garden centre and they seem to be growing okay, will prob give it a couple of weeks and then put them in the raised bed and then keep my fingers crossed  :)

With tomatoes do they need  much feed, was hoping to buy an organic liquid feed?

hiya, star10, if you've any nettles or/and comfrey, you can make your own feed, put them in a bucket with some water, cover and leave for a couple of weeks, you can then dilute it 10 to 1 and feed your toms and things, they love it  ;D