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IMAGE Taras Dovhych/Getty Images Opposite Rachel Vogan<br />
Some like it cold<br />
There is no hibernation in your garden this winter. Some crops thrive in<br />
the coldest months and now is the time to take advantage.<br />
Words Rachel Vogan<br />
Above If you are after a bumper<br />
harvest, now’s the time to think about<br />
planting strawberries.<br />
The middle of winter may not feel like it is<br />
the right time to do much in the garden.<br />
However, a number of crops need a dose of cold<br />
weather to stimulate growth (think garlic) and<br />
flower buds (think strawberries) for the coming<br />
season’s crop.<br />
strawberries<br />
Midwinter may not seem like the logical time<br />
to be thinking about strawberries, but if you<br />
want a bumper harvest, now is the time to plant.<br />
Cold temperatures stimulate flower bud<br />
initiation. Therefore, the length of time<br />
strawberries are in the cold ground increases<br />
the plant’s capacity to produce a heavier crop.<br />
Planting new strawberry beds<br />
Think hot sun, rich dark soil and good access to<br />
water. To get the ground ready for plants, blend in<br />
compost and/or manure. If compost and manure<br />
are not easy to access, look for bags of strawberry<br />
potting mix. It takes all the guesswork out of<br />
preparing the soil. Either mix it directly into the<br />
ground that has already been dug over or use it to<br />
fill patio tubs, containers and hanging baskets.<br />
Next, make mounds to plant strawberries<br />
on. These little hills allow the plants to open<br />
up and get a maximum amount of light, which<br />
stimulates flowers, fruit development and<br />
ripening. Strawberries loathe wet feet and will<br />
rot easily in these conditions, so planting on<br />
56 kiwigardener gardener.kiwi
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