Tending the strawberry field

[jmh]

Okay, last year I was pregnant and I let the strawberry beds go. I had about 8 - 20' rows. Now they are FULL of grass and weeds mixed with strawberry plants.

What are some good ideas for dealing with this mess. Right now we are reclaiming row by row, weeding, laying down newspaper and putting wood chips around each plant. I've done 2 1/2 rows.

This situation is bad.

If I just make the best of it for this season, should I dig up all the plants in the fall or after harvest and rototil the whole thing under and start again? How long can I leave the plants out? When I received the plants they were dry and packed in
sawdust.

How do strawberry farmers keep ahead of the weeds? Especially the grass from the field is infiltrating the beds.

jmh

 

[Annmarie]

I gave up on strawberries for this very reason. We sure do miss them though, and I would be willing to try again if there was an easier way to take care of them.

 

[FireDance]

A friend of mine built strawberry towers

I would imagine that would eliminate a lot of the weed problems. Sounded as if there was just enough room for the plant itself along the ledge of the tower. I'm sure there are instructions out on the net for this somewhere. This guy ended up with towers that sounded way too tall for me, but then I'm short... He added a hose at the top to irrigate.

Thought it sounded like the way to go when he told me about it. The ones he built were not made of wood, but something easy to acquire and assemble and very frugal. If I can remember, I'll call him and ask him what he did again and let you know. Whatever it was he just kept stacking as long as he had plants and he had WAY too many plants in my opinion!! All I could think of when he told me about it was "my goodness, what WILL you do with all those berries?" I'm sure he's found something, but I don't want to think about all the time spent picking and figuring out what to do to the new batch of berries. Obviously, I'm not a strawberry lover!!

 

[housemouse]

I am no expert on strawberries. So, take what I say with that in mind.

I planted Alpine Strawberries that I grew from seed. They are sort-of a border on my perenial beds. I just take my japanese hand hoe thingie that I got from "you all know where", and swipe up the weeds around them.

How about one of those "swivel hoes"? Here is a description from my fav. mail order place, but you may be able to find one in your local shops... that is if you aren't out in the boonies, like me...

http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/...d Tools&ct=hg&level=2&prodname=5" Stirrup Hoe

Anyway, how old are the strawberry plants? If they are about three years or so old, you might be better off taking the older ones out, and planting the babies they threw off in their place.

Just my thoughts...

 

[jmh]

I found a good informational website about growing strawberries. I think I will dig them up at the end of the season and replant into some sort of raised bed, maybe tires.

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-46.pdf

Definitely mulch more. I want to have tons of strawberries for desserts and jams.



thanks.

jmh