Strawberries! With the first month of Spring behind us and many plants flowering and forming fruit it’s time to plant some strawberry plants. Who doesn’t love a big and juicy strawberry?

Strawberry blossoms are, to me, the neon sign of things to come during summer. Sea, sun and strawberries!

Growing strawberries is easy! Simply plant the crowns just below the soil level in soil temperatures between 10°C and 20°C in a sunny spot.

When should you water strawberries?

Strawberry plants require regular watering. When your strawberry plants are growing and producing fruit, they will need an average of 3 to 6 centimetres of water weekly. New strawberry plants can be given about 3cm of water each week to establish growth. Although new plants can be watered overhead, it is best to water established plants with drip irrigation or a soaker hose. This avoids getting the fruit wet and helps prevent rot. Place the drip tube or hose at least 6 centimetres away from the strawberry plant. During the non-peak growing season, you should be able to water twice a week to keep the soil moist. It is best to water earlier in the day rather than in the evening so the plants are not sitting in water for too long.

When should you fertilize strawberries?

Fertilise in autumn and again in spring with an organic 3:1:5 granular fertilizer. Ensure that there is always a thick layer of mulch around the plants. Available at most nursery and garden centres. https://www.builders.co.za/Garden-%26-Pets/Plant-%26-Lawn-Care/Fertilisers/Wonder-3-1-5-26-SR-Granules-(5kg)/p/000000000000018987?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-fmZBhDtARIsAH6H8qhd0X0xiNndJiyF_x9luW9IfuBYiYO-m6P8PsyPAK29RBF52CjcCWcaAoEJEALw_wcB

Space your plants 30-100 cm apart and harvest in approximately 11 weeks. Strawberries bruise easily when ripe, make sure to handle them carefully. Pick them with a small piece of stem attached. It is better to grow strawberries in a bed of their own for better air circulation and good sun exposure. Avoid growing them in a bed that once housed any Solanum family members such as potatoes, tomatoes, brinjals and gooseberries.

https://beepies-greens.co.za/product/strawberry/

The post Strawberries! appeared first on Beepie's Greens.