Strawberries !!

enrich100

its very difficult to say how many plants you need per person, I think the question is more how much space are you willing to use to grow them, personally I use flower pouches against a wall (12 pouches so far), they don't take up much space, the only downside is they need feeding and watering regularly, if its just a couple bags you can combine watering and feeding (use tomato feed) by dunking the pouches into a bucket every few days (every other in weather like this) the other way is us a drip irigation system so they stay watered

as mentioned Fothergils have Cambridge favourites on offer
http://www.mr-fothergills.co.uk/catalogue/product/strawberry-cambridge-favourite/80938/ £2.95 + 3.95 p&p

Thompson & morgan have a couple of offers on strawberries if you go via the Gardeners world link (usually free P&P)
if they are still in stock, The Sonata and iresistible are as far as I can see

http://www.thompson-morgan.com/affx/plants1/gwm.html

try to mix early Mid and late strawberries along with perpetials to extend the season

ALIBOBSY

We started with 6 plants 3 years ago. Then we had 17 plants (originals plus runners and 2 hanging baskets with alpine type perpetual fruiting berries) last year. We bought another 6 from aldi this year as they were different varieties and have about 25-30 other plants so basically one raised bed totally turned over to them.

First year had a few berries, but not alot. Second year got quite a few and the kids loved it. This year we can't keep up, going to do some strawberry sorbet tommorow, even the kids are strawberried out lol. So in that 3rd year be prepared for the plants to go into overdrive lol. I guess the sunny weather has helped as well.

ali x

enrich100

smithyjules wrote: »

Just spotted this and thought I'd ask if this is what everyone does? I'm new to this really. I brought 3 strawberry plants last year and now have 10 altogether from potting the runners. We have also just been lucky enough to get our first allotment so I'm planning on moving the strawbs over there soon.

Any suggestions on when it is best to move them?they are currently in pots. and how much space should i put between them?should i then just leave them to get on with it over the winter like i did when they were in pots?

thank you!!

I have had no problems planting at any stage however If I were you I would wait till they have finished fruiting, so they can use all the energy to grow fruit now, once finished they can use their energy to root

~~Diane~~

Thanks for the replies everyone, the guttering idea is a good one, space is no problem, so going to do some more runners later on and see how many plants I can get of those before I buy anymore.

I did buy some wild strawberry seeds but they've not germinated, so think I'll have to buy some small plants and maybe plant them in baskets.

jeferey

I'm glad I'm not the only one! I went up to my allotment this morning and picke danother 2 big punnets of strawbs. They are so good this year.

I started off with one 20 foot narrow raised bed spaced about 12 inches apart nearly 3 years ago but that has now increased with the addition of another normal bed mad from 'babies'.
The narrow bed works really well as the strawbs are planted on top of a mound with weed suppressing fabric underneath. The strawbs then flop down and it makes them easy to pick.

I am hoping to make some wine this year as we have so many and my OH would like to try her hand at jam.
We must have about 50 plants now and we could probably use more - just go for it ~~Diane~~ and plant some more :rotfl:

lolly5648

If you use guttering where do you put it - hang it from the wall or what? Is it deep enough and do you punch holes in it. It sounds an interesting way to grow them.

SallyForth_2

I think the ratio is roughly 20 per person, but it must depend upon variety, I have a way to go to get to that many.

Orange_King

I am trying the guttering idea too but am trying to think of a way to keep a little more soil for them. Have considered laying plastic bottles in them with a hole cut out on one side and pierced for drainage on the other side (bottom). Just need to cut it downa bit and seal it where cutting off the neck!

Any other suggestions appreciated!.

As for the guttering, I am running it between fence posts at a bit of an angle to allow the water to drain easily.

wayne1983

Well ive picked another 2 big punnets full today, which is about 8 now and still plenty more!:beer:

~~Diane~~

Well I did 10 runners today and cut the rest back to give the rest of the strawberries a chance, I'll do some more in a few weeks time.