OK it's not really a strawberry patch as much as it is a
raised bed in the vegetable garden that is overflowing with strawberry plants. A couple years ago I planted the bed with these strawberry plants, I believe there were twelve plants total, and let them grow in the bed. I fertilized after their fruiting was complete with an organic fertilizer and watched as the 12 little strawberry plants became many, many more. Strawberry mother plants create runners that root then become mother plants themselves. They are the ultimate in self-layering plants! In fact I had so many strawberry plants that I've given away over 150 plants this year and can't tell a difference in my garden. My strawberries are June bearing but I don't know what variety.
I need to cover the strawberries this week with bird netting. The birds are devouring the craneflies right now and are a little distracted but soon they'll notice the bright red berries ripening up in the garden. Then it will be a competition for who gets the strawberries - the birds or Dave's daughters! I can't blame the birds, after all who wouldn't want backyard fresh produce that is chemical free?
Your strawberry patch is really healthy looking. I need to do a better job of mulching mine before winter. I always lose some to the cold (or the dry winter). We started using netting last year and it really helps protect those berries!
ReplyDeleteI hope Dave's daughters get the majority of the harvest;-) I have a couple of plants in a pot (planted 2 yrs ago). I think I've eaten 1 strawberry from them, as the wildlife always beats me to it! Will try the netting! I also have a TON of wild strawberries that practically choke out some of my garden beds. I have to continually pull them to prevent them from wreaking total havoc. Those berries are for the critters only. I sure wish they could tell the difference and leave mine alone! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt’s a very rainy Spring day so I thought it would be a good time to check in on you and the other Blogs I follow. Can not be out in the dirt so I am here at the computer. When I have tried strawberries, the "animals" get to them before I do, especially the ground hogs. So I have given up and now have a decorative strawberry called Fragaria Lipstick. Has great pink flowers from Spring up until frost. A great ground cover, but only a couple of berries each season. Jack
ReplyDeleteYour strawberry plants reminded me of the ones I had when I lived in Illinois. Mine almost took over half my backyard. I haven't grown strawberries in years. Nice iris photos. I like your blog which I am following.
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