advice on growing strawberries

CazW_2

OH.. I have a large pot FULL of pennies and 2p's... might have to try this with my runner beans... no matter what i try the pesky snails keep getting at them!!

Caz

Jabberwock

Wonderful idea Wig,

have just spent the afternoon glueing 1p pieces to my pots, the way I see it, it will save me a fortune in organic slug pellets if it works, will let you know.
Thanks again....................even though OH finally thinks I've lost the plot!!:embarasse

Wig

I'm afraid it won't be very succesful, earlier on I tried again with a slug and this one when forced on the copper was able to slide over the coins. So IMO if the grass is greener on the other side of the fence the slug will cross a copper barrier.

1 row of coins will not be enough, you will need a barrier a couple of inches wide at least. I'm going to get a load of copper rings/washers and knit a chain maille mat with them and see if that works.

Jabberwock

No worries Wig,

I'll keep an eye on my pots to see how they fare and I can always add more if need be, look forward to see how you get on with your "coat of armour", please keep us informed.
Jabberwock

steady__eddie

How about 2 strands of bare copper wire connected to a 12 volt battery ?

DenBo_4

Hello everybody, this is my first time growing strawberries, my mum bought me a tower thingy to grow them in, off the telly, it included the plants etc. Trouble is, my plants are covered in bugs, little browny red flies(not spiders) whitefly and blackfly. :mad: :mad: My mum gave me some spray which works and but are only supposed to use every 7 days, but after I have sprayed and killed one lot, a new bunch move in! Help! I wanted my strawberries to be organic, and the spray isnt I dont think. I have heard (or did I dream) that you can use washing up liquid on the bugs. Is this true? and how much do I use, or do you have any better ideas?

Slugs mice n birds are so far leaving me alone but the bugs r winning!!:eek:

Wig

Don't use insecticide spray on an edible plant. Preferably don't use it anywhere in your garden, you kill the goodies aswell as the baddies.

Yes you can use soapy water spray, it does kill the flies. Try using an especially creamy handsoap, make some soapy water and use that.

steady__eddie

Saw the first cuckoo spit of the season yesterday on a couple of plants in my barrel outside. Sorry to be so unpalatable this early on a morning but for anyone who is new to this business, it looks like frothy sputum and if you poke about in it with a matchstick you will discover what looks like a mini maggot about 1/8" of an inch long. Remove the little fellow and dispose of accordingly.

Wig

steady__eddie wrote: »

Saw the first cuckoo spit of the season yesterday on a couple of plants in my barrel outside. Sorry to be so unpalatable this early on a morning but for anyone who is new to this business, it looks like frothy sputum and if you poke about in it with a matchstick you will discover what looks like a mini maggot about 1/8" of an inch long. Remove the little fellow and dispose of accordingly.

No need, the "little fellow" will cause no harm to your strawberries or strawberry plant, just leave him alone.

steady__eddie

With respect Wig, minimal harm may be done to the strawberry plants themselves, a little bit of sap loss maybe but I was thinking of the wider implications http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A807699