Q. You have converted me to the doctrine of
using woodchip mulch. Is there any reason why I couldn’t use wood chips in my
strawberry bed? My wife used to put
strawberries in pots and they never did well.
using woodchip mulch. Is there any reason why I couldn’t use wood chips in my
strawberry bed? My wife used to put
strawberries in pots and they never did well.
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| Strawberries grown in Las Vegas Nevada, in Fall 2006 |
A. You can use woodchip
mulch between strawberries. Apply compost right over the top of woodchip mulch
and water it in to the soil when fertilizing. You will have to remove woodchip
mulch at the end of two or three years when you pull out the old mature plants
and replant with new ones.
mulch between strawberries. Apply compost right over the top of woodchip mulch
and water it in to the soil when fertilizing. You will have to remove woodchip
mulch at the end of two or three years when you pull out the old mature plants
and replant with new ones.
Plant strawberries in fall, not spring
Plant in mid-August, not in the spring. This is a mistake
many people make. You may have trouble finding plants this time of the year
since most information is focused on spring planting. But strawberries will
struggle when temperatures get hot after planting in the spring.
many people make. You may have trouble finding plants this time of the year
since most information is focused on spring planting. But strawberries will
struggle when temperatures get hot after planting in the spring.
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| Strawberry demonstration plots prepared with compost in 2006 at the University Orchard |
Improve the soil 50-50 with compost mixed with the
existing soil before planting. I would include a starter fertilizer such as 0 –
45 – 0 mixed with that soil mix. A good quality compost can act as a fertilizer
so don’t be afraid to apply it every three to four months after planting.
existing soil before planting. I would include a starter fertilizer such as 0 –
45 – 0 mixed with that soil mix. A good quality compost can act as a fertilizer
so don’t be afraid to apply it every three to four months after planting.
Plant strawberries 12 inches apart
Here’s where I differ from what you might read. Plant them
about 12 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart and remove runners when you see
them. Some people also recommend removing the flowers as well. Planting in rows
helps you find the berries later when the plants are full.
about 12 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart and remove runners when you see
them. Some people also recommend removing the flowers as well. Planting in rows
helps you find the berries later when the plants are full.
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| Planting depth in A. |
Plants should not crowd each other. You should see a
slight separation between them for good production. Sunlight should hit the
plant on all sides.
slight separation between them for good production. Sunlight should hit the
plant on all sides.
Everbearing strawberry might work better
Select an everbearing type of strawberry rather than a
main crop type. Main crop types produces only at one time of the year. Older
varieties of ever bearing types like Ft Laramie, Quinault and Ogallala perform
fine here during cool weather.
main crop type. Main crop types produces only at one time of the year. Older
varieties of ever bearing types like Ft Laramie, Quinault and Ogallala perform
fine here during cool weather.
Everbearing types “trickle” their production throughout
the year. This “trickling” makes them more productive here when the
weather is favorable. They will produce fresh berries for 2 to 3 years before
the plants need to be replaced.
the year. This “trickling” makes them more productive here when the
weather is favorable. They will produce fresh berries for 2 to 3 years before
the plants need to be replaced.
Strawberries do not set above 85° F
Strawberries will not set fruit very well when the
temperatures are above 85°F. This makes hot, summer fruit production difficult
with June bearing types of strawberries.
temperatures are above 85°F. This makes hot, summer fruit production difficult
with June bearing types of strawberries.
Keep
plants alive during summer months until the cooler fall months return. Put them
under 30 to 40% shade cloth draped on three-foot tall hoops during the summer
months. Lay a frost cover over the top when temperatures are expected to freeze.
plants alive during summer months until the cooler fall months return. Put them
under 30 to 40% shade cloth draped on three-foot tall hoops during the summer
months. Lay a frost cover over the top when temperatures are expected to freeze.
Water strawberries with
in-line drip tubing running the entire length of the raised beds and spaced to
12 inches apart. Hand watering with the hose is very difficult. Keep soil moist
but not wet to prevent root disease problems.