Strawberry advice please

debs64

Hi all, fancy growing strawberries this year at the allotment but the choice is bewildering! I have never grown them before and apparently according to adverts they are all delicious and easy to grow?? Do I go for plug plants, runners or “guaranteed fruit this season “ plants? Then which variety do I choose? Advice please on growing some sweet fruit fairly easily. Don’t mind spending a bit more to begin with if it will mean a better crop and am I right in thinking they are perennials and will improve every year? Thanks in advance

Pete.8

I can't offer any advice as it's my first year growing them, but I chose Mara des Bois a perpetual fruiting plant. So (hopefully) I'll get a regular supply of a few berries throughout the season, so no good for jam making where you'll want lots all at once.
I bought mine as bare-rooted late last year. 11 of the 12 plants have appeared and starting into growth.

purplerallim

Not had much luck with strawberry plants. Two years ago got 20 bare root plants, most grew but half didn't prosper that year or survive the winter. Last year had a poor crop from remaining plants, hubby wanted to dig them all out but I've given them a final chance this year. Hope you fare better.🙂

Obelixx

Strawberries are perennials but need regular replacing to maintain vigour.  They crop best in their 2nd and 3rd years and then tail off.  It's also a good idea to move them regularly.

In order to keep them going without buying new plants all the time you select varieties you like the sound of - good idea to have 3 - one early, one mid season and one late - then plant them in new beds.  In their first year, don't let them send out any runners.  Just cut them off as you see them so they concentrate on growing better plants.  You should get some good fruits.

In their second year, you can then allow one runner per plant to grow on.  Peg them into their own 4"/10cm pot of compost and water in dry spells.  Once it starts to grow well you can sever it from the parent and start a new bed or pot it on.  Enjoy the fruits from the mother plant which should be better than the first year's crop.

In year 3, carry on cropping, allow one runner per plant if you still need replacements and get last year's babies planted out in a new bed.  At the end of year 3, take up all the old plants and use the bed for something else.   Keep this system going and you'll have a healthy succession of plants and fruits for many years.

debs64

That sounds perfect! Will try that and may invest in some plants that are apparently guaranteed to fruit this year. Thanks 

barry island

I grow strawberries on my allotment plot but find that unless you are there every day to monitor them they ripen too quickly and the slugs eat them or they go mouldy, strawberries are the type of fruit that needs eating as soon as they are ripe, one day they're not quite ripe enough the next day they are ready the following day they have gone over. I grew some last year at home in stackable pots but found that the ones at the bottom didn't get enough sun so this year I will leave the pots single and see how they get on. The strawberries that I did get were delicious though especially when eaten while still warmed by the sun you can't get that from shop bought strawberries. I bought my plants from Lidl various varieties at a reasonable  price.