Selwyn Times: September 01, 2021

HOMEGROWN strawberries are
mouth-wateringly delicious.
The flavour and taste of
strawberries ripened on the plant
cannot be trumped by anything
bought from the store, no matter
how fresh they are.
Strawberries are an easy crop
to grow and it is no surprise
that they are one of the world’s
favourite fruit. They’re best
planted in winter and early
spring, when the ground
temperatures are cold. At first,
all the growth happens under
the soil, as the roots establish
themselves.
The colder soil temperatures
stimulate flower-bud
development and, subsequently,
fruiting ability and capacity.
When the warmer weather
arrives, the plant springs into
action above the soil and new
season’s foliage and flowers will
appear.
Where to grow
Full sun is mandatory for
strawberries. No sun equals
poor flower production and,
worse still, less fruit that will
have little flavour and struggle to
ripen.
The soil should be friable
(loose) and fertile. Each season,
reward and refresh berry beds
with layers of chicken manure
and strawberry food.
Strawberries are gross feeders
and quickly use available
nutrients in the soil. These
nutrients need to be replaced to
allow the berries to keep fruiting.
Ideally, the soil should be moist,
but not waterlogged. In some
areas, this can be a challenge,
particularly over winter. Growing
your strawberries on mounds is
a good way to improve drainage,
and raised beds or containers can
be used, too.
The ground-covering habit
of strawberries makes them an
ideal option for pots, tubs and
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hanging baskets. Make sure,
when growing them in any sort
of container, that it is big enough
to provide plenty of room for the
roots of the plants to develop.
Restrictions on root
development will impede the
growth of the plant. To give you
an idea, a 30cm hanging basket
will hold about three plants with
ease, and five at a push.
Specific strawberry planting
and potting mix take all
the guesswork out of filling
containers and planters, and
premium potting mixes work,
too.
Every strawberry patch has a
life period of about three years.
The first year the crop will be
average, with the second and
third years being the best. After
that, the plants lose vigour,
harvest diminishes and plants
need to be replaced.
A position protected from wind
is also useful as numerous insects
are part of the pollination process
and strong winds can result in
poor fruit development.
Wednesday September 1 2021 Selwyn Times
GARDENING 25
Strawberries need time to develop in cold weather
RIPE: Plan
planting
strawberries
so that you
have a steady
supply
during the
summer.
Strawberry runners
Early in the season, as the plants
start actively growing, runners
come out from the centre of the
plant. Remove these to encourage
the plant to put more effort into
producing flowers and fruit.
Midsummer, let a few develop to
grow on as replacement plants.
Protection and straw
Layers of straw mulch around
the plants will keep the weeds
away as well as help the soil retain
moisture. It also protects the
berries from becoming dirty or
damaged.
When berries start appearing,
protect and cover the plant with
netting, mesh or tunnels to deter
birds and small animals.
Existing strawberry
beds
Remove all the dead and old
leaves before the new season’s
growth starts and dig out any
runners that will compete for
nutrients around the main plants.
Sprinkle strawberry food around
the drip line and add a new
layer of straw mulch around the
crowns, if need be.
Harvesting
The best bit is harvesting. Choose
those that are fully ripe on the
plant as they do not ripen further
once picked. Berries ripen 4-6
weeks after the flowers mature.
Are you ready to grow?
For real Kiwi gardeners who like
to get their hands dirty.
Garden
In the
with intelligro
growing with you Issue 506 | July 2021 | 100%
Vege patch
priorities
Sprouting
potatoes & starting
strawberries
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What ’s next
As we near the beginning of spring, we notice
slightly longer daylight hours, which means
we can get a bit more done in the garden after
work. Just remember, there is still a chance of
frosts, so be prepared with cloth or covers –
especially if you are planting seedlings.
Preparation is key this month. Here
are a few things you can do:
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Dig compost through existing gardens
to give them a boost.
Decide what veggies you want to grow
Raise seeds.
Pick your location and what you will
plant in.
Get your growing mix – the quality of
your mix determines the quality of
plants you get.
a plum job
How the Russells
fill our fruit bowls
ExpEcT ThE
unExpEcTEd
Weirdly wonderful
houseplants
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Not sure where to start? We can help.
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