Forum home› Fruit & veg
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Strawberry plot

Retro1951Retro1951 Posts: 116
in Fruit & veg
Hello everyone,
My strawberry plot has 'sunk', it's now about 20cm lower than the rest of the land. I wonder, would it be ok, to dig out all the strawberry plants, put more soil and compost on the plot and replants the strawberry plants??? Or is it the wrong thing to do or the wrong time to do it???
Thank you so much for your thoughts.
«1

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    How long have the plants been there?  I ask as it's recommended that they be replaced (and preferably grown in fresh ground) about every 4 years or so, which you may want to factor in.  If they are younger than that, then I think it would work ok as long as you are careful when lifting them.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Retro1951Retro1951 Posts: 116
    Thank you Bob The Gardener,
    I think they're about three years old. I could lift them and just put the new ones back in (after the compost and ..)??
    Thank you
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited February 2021
    Strawberries crop best in their 2nd and 3rd years, so I would keep them but separate any newly rooted runners and pot those up for now.  They are greedy plants, so use a mix of well-rotted manure (25%) and topsoil (75%) to raise the level.  If you use just compost (especially multi-purpose), the same thing will happen and the soil level will drop over time as that stuff breaks down quite rapidly when mixed into garden soil.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Retro1951Retro1951 Posts: 116
    Good morning, 
    Thank you, I will do as you say, sound advice. Do you think it's too cold though to start that now (not actually now..it's raining)? 
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Strawberries are completely hardy so as long as the ground isn't actually frozen then you can do this at any time.  Best do it soon though while they are still dormant as the longer you leave it, the more chance the crop will be reduced as late transplanting will damage the new root growth which will just be beginning.  Keep the roots damp while the plants are out of the soil by wrapping in wet newspaper or sacking etc.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Retro1951Retro1951 Posts: 116
    Thank you BobTheGardener,
    I am ready..Thank you so much for all your really helpful advice. It will be a long weekend!!
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    You are welcome, @Retro1951 :)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Retro1951Retro1951 Posts: 116
    Hi, I have started today. I have done half the plot and am absolutely kn*****ed..
    The plants look all the same after a while... I have potted up about 36 new ones.
    More to do tomorrow. It is going to be -1ºC tonight, I hope they're alright.
    See what the new day brings... It was absolutely lovely to be doing something outside again, success or failure, does not matter.
  • andyphillips1andyphillips1 Posts: 4
    I know everyone says to only give strawberries 3-4  years in a bed I keep meaning to move mine but last year I had the best and heaviest crop I have ever had in the 6th year

  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
    I've had some of mine for over 10 years and they still produced in 2020. I did finally dig them all up after years of neglect last year though.

    I've now got a fresh bed of 1yr old plants and a lot of tired old has-beens in pots trying to avoid the compost bin :o
    East Lancs
Sign In or Register to comment.