Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Make sure the bed is weed-free before planting, as once the plants are estab-
lished some weeds (couch grass, for example) are difficult to eradicate without
causing more widespread damage.
Sowing
In order to develop a good root system it's best to plant in the previous autumn
rather than in the spring. Strawberries can be set out any time from July to
September, but if you don't get around to it then they can also be planted in
February, March or even April. Remember, the later they go into the ground, the
smaller the harvest you can expect.
Shape a small, shallow trench about 20cm wide and 6-8cm deep, and place a
handful of earth every 30cm along it. This should be shaped into a cone, the peak
of which should be level with the surface of the surrounding earth. The plants
should be set neither too deep nor too shallow, but so the crown just sits on the
surface (see diagram). Too deep and they'll rot; too shallow and they will remain
stunted and poor, and will be far less likely to bear fruit. Position the crown on
the peak of the cone and spread the roots around it, then pull in the earth to fill
the trench. Make it firm enough around each plant so that if you pull sharply on
a single leaf, the leaf will break off rather than the plant being pulled from the
ground.
The correct depth for planting strawberries
Growing
As soon as the fruit starts to form, put straw beneath the plants. This will prevent
weed growth and also stops the ripening berries from coming into direct contact
with the earth. If they do, they'll rot. Barley straw is the most pliable and also has
some anti-fungal properties, but so long as you intend to pick on a regular basis
any kind of straw will do.
Runners (self-rooting stems) will probably develop from the plants even before
the first fruit has set, and will continue to be produced through the season. These
