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Do strawberries need to be cushioned or covered now that the flowers are appearing? Any advice woul

victoriacadamsvictoriacadams Posts: 57
in The potting shed
Do strew-berries need to be cushioned or covered with straw now that the flowers are coming out.  Any advice would be appreciated?  Thank you.  Vicky.

Posts

  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    It's a good idea to cover the ground around your plants with some sort of mulch.  This could be bark chippings, some people use plastic weed membrane.  It's to keep the fruit from touching the soil and being spoiled.  

    The plants themselves don't need cushioning or covering, they need light and air, so only mulch below them.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Straw is often used because it protects the fruits from the soil, keeping them clean, but it also allows air to circulate well which helps avoid fungal diseases, especially if you have a large area of them. Clean wood shavings are also quite good, or the aforementioned weed membrane. 
    You just need something to cover the bare soil, although I'd avoid bark because it's a lovely hiding place for that strawberry lover- the slug  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • victoriacadamsvictoriacadams Posts: 57
    Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge.  I am a novice, and an urban migrator.  We now have a good sized fruit and vegetable plot.  The strawberries are tired and need replacing next year.  That said, we will nourish the strawberries we have and appreciate the wonder and enjoyment of growing fruit and vegetables.  The tip re; bark and slugs noted.  

    Enjoy your day in lovely Scotland.
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