"Growing Strawberries"
  Our passion for strawberries is well grounded. Strawberries are a good source of complex carbohydrates, and are packed with vitamin C.Commercial strawberry growers are slightly limited with their varieties, as many types will not store well. 'Pick them and eat them' types are perfect for the home grower.
Choose a spot that hasn't been used for growing strawberries or potatoes within the previous 3 years. Strawberries like full sun and won't do well in a 'cold' spot. Remove all weeds and dig in as much organic compost as you can. This will almost guarantee a huge crop! Hoe and rake over the ground. Later on, you will need some straw or black plastic sheets.
Growing strawberries from seed is possible - Thompson & Morgan have a couple of varieties here Growing strawberries from seed in the UK Type 'strawberries' into search box for their full range. Or browse your local garden centre or nursery.
Growing strawberries is a piece of cake when you follow the right steps! Strawberry plants should be spaced to about 35cm-45cm (14-16ins) in a row, in rows about 75cm (30ins) apart. Dig holes for your plants. Not too deep though, strawberries have a shallow rooting system. Make sure the 'crown' of the plant ( the chunky part above the roots ) is above the soil. Firm down plants with your hands and water well.
Place slug pellets around the plants. If you can't find an organic variety try using broken egg shells or dry sand. Keep plants well watered. Because they are shallow rooting plants, strawberries will dry out very quickly in hot weather, and your crop will be affected. In early summer or late spring, when the small fruits start to appear, cover the ground around your plants with a fairly thick layer of straw. Try and get 'weed free' straw. Barley is the best. If no straw can be found, use black plastic.
Growing strawberries in your garden will encourage just about every garden bird you can imagine. The trouble is, they will ALL eat your strawberries ...... if you let them! Make a small wooden frame to stand over your strawberry bed, and cover in fine netting. Don't use heavy materials, as you will want to move the cover every day during cropping season. Use light wood, and perhaps tent pegs or the equivalent to secure it against being blown over by the wind or stray cats and dogs. NB: Always use wildlife friendly fine netting so birds don't get their wings tangled. Remove the 'runners' - little plants coming off the main plant, before they root. This will encourage your 'mother' plant to produce more fruit. Pick your strawberries every day in season. With good weather and a fairly long growing season, strawberries can produce up to 3 crops a year. Growing Strawberries - long term:After the third year, your strawberry plants will produce less fruit, and so on every year afterwards. It is widely advised to replace your whole strawberry bed every 3-5 years.Don't use the same plot for your new plants though. Choose a new spot in the garden and prepare your bed well.....:-) Pop over to this page to find out more about different berries you can grow at home...Berries Happy Gardening! Grow Your Own Winter Food: A good diet incorporating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is a must if you want to stay fit and healthy and keep the bugs at bay during the cold winter months. Growing your own winter food is just one way of ensuring you get the freshest, tastiest produce packed with goodness straight from the garden to the kitchen table. This easy-to-follow self-sufficiency book shows you how to grow your own fruit and vegetables for winter use and includes facts on each fruit, vegetable or herb as well as nutritional value, recipe ideas and storage suggestions.  Grow Your Own Winter Food is perfect for those with limited gardening experience, with gardens big or small who are looking to become more self-sufficient. Order it now direct from the publisher... Grow Your Own Winter Food Grow It, Cook It!: Many crops, including herbs, can be produced in a relatively small space with a little pre-planning and organizing: in containers, on a balcony, and indoors. Herbs are perfect for enhancing the flavour of cooking, treating minor ailments, and preventing colds and flu. Your own back garden will not only produce the best food on the planet for you and your loved ones, it is also economical, environmentally friendly and more fun than shopping. Gardening is more than a hobby; it's a way of life. .  This book provides all the information you need to keep your family and friends healthy, fit and enjoying life to the full. Order it now direct from the publisher... Grow It, Cook It! Grow Your Own Pharmacy: If, like me, you want to be able to eat the best food on the planet, grow your own!  • Clear instructions on planning, planting, growing and harvesting the fruits, vegetables and herbs required for a healthy vitamin intake. • Recipes and menus to help incorporate the fruit and vegetables into your daily diet. Grow Your Own Pharmacy Herbs and Spices: Some herbs grow vigorously, some are tender and need special growing conditions, some are annuals, some perennials, some you can grow indoors, all can be grown in pots or directly into the ground. There are also certain spices, such as chillies, that can be grown in temperate climates.  This clear and concise directory of herbs and spices provides all the essential information to help you grow a selection of these flavour-enhancing foods in small or large spaces. Ideas for which herbs and spices go best with which foods also accompany each description, so that you can really enliven your repertoire of recipes. Order it now direct from the publisher... Herbs and Spices Granny's Book Of Good Old Fashioned Common Sense is packed full of great ideas and tips. Granny brings traditional home-making up to date with cooking, gardening, needlecrafts and even games to play with the kids...Click on the link below to order your copy.  Cooking doesn’t have to be a chore and preparing nourishing home cooked meals for the family will certainly keep them away from the goodie shelf. Gardening encourages physical exercise and a good healthy dollop of fresh air. And you can get the kids involved too. Before the days of computer games and electronic pets, children used to have fun without rummaging about in the fridge every five minutes. Enjoy a few rainy-day games and crafts of yesteryear with today’s kids. They’ll love it and so will you! Granny's Book Of Good Old Fashioned Common Sense Back to Fruit Page Back To Flower and Garden Tips Homepage Click Here To Subscribe to "Creative Gardening" - Your FREE monthly ezine! www.flower-and-garden-tips.com/growingstrawberries.html |
