Hello from sheffield

[Cheeseman83]

Hi all I've finally decided to sign up and get involved. I got my plot at the end of May and manage to get down for a few hours twice a week. So far I've managed to clear half of it of the monster weeds that are residents there. I was given an assortment of squashes and cabbages by my lovely neighbours which seem to be doing fine. I've managed to rebuild the shed and acquire some old windows to help rebuild the impressive greenhouse.

One of the things I'm wanting for next year are strawberries and I'm wanting to grow from seed,should I sow them now or wait until next year? Could I also plant some fruit bushes (blackberry,raspberry,red current)

[Jeanied]

Welcome to the vine Cheeseman - it sounds like you have made a cracking start on your plot in just a month! Strawberries from seed is an ambitious project, but as they are hardy plants I reckon you could sow now to raise plants to put out before the frosts arrive.

[arpoet]

Welcome from me too. Never had much success with strawbs. Came back after a few days missionary work in Newcastle last week to find squirrels devouring mine.
Good luck with the plot.

[Bren In Pots]

Hello and welcome to the vine Cheeseman

[Knight of Albion]

A very warm welcome to the forum, dear Cheeseman.

[bearded bloke]

Hello & welcome

[Small pumpkin]

Hello welcome to the vine
I've grown strawberries from seed Alpine Mignonette strawberry are very good they will produce fruit in there first year, not big but still edible, second year the fruit is a better size. Also good because they don't produce runner, so they don't escape all over you garden. Had a go at Black Strawberry. Difficult to germinate and they produced RED strawberries . Had a go at White sole strawberry & Yellow strawberry from different suppliers they turned out to be the same thing
Finally had a go at Giant strawberry, difficult to germinate, don't fruit till second year ( like most strawberries) and not as giant as I would like. Maybe they will be bigger fruits next year.
Basically if you are sowing alpines, do them at beginning of next year, if you are sowing (real) strawberries, I would sow now.

[cariann88]

Hello and welcome

[Florence Fennel]

Hello and a very warm welcome (with a wave as we're in the same city) to the Vine

[Bigmallly]

Hello & welcome to the vine from another Yorkie.................I personally wouldn't entertain strawbs by seeds, much easier to grow by runners (which you may be able to cadge from your friendly plot neighbours). Win win situation..............

[PyreneesPlot]

Hello and welcome from down here. Having just about killed my straws I offer no advice other than enjoy the Vine

[Ja9]

Hello from me too. I agree with Bigmally and would grow strawberries from runners too as your neighbours seem a generous lot. Highly recommend growing soft fruit as very easy to look after and so expensive to buy. Have you thought of blueberries too?

[Cheeseman83]

Thanks for all your replys, I've managed to get 14 runners off one of my neighbours in exchange of him borrowing my petrol hedge trimmers. I love how everyone helps each other out.

I noticed that I've got flowers coming on the courgettes too

[ancee]

Ayup from me too

[Bal]

Hello from me too. I have grown some giant strawberries from seed, and they are doing very well. don't know what they will taste like though. Also got some strawberry seeds from the bank HSBC were giving out strawberry seeds to coincide with Wimbledon. I haven't sown them yet, keep forgetting to ask when to do it. so is now a good time or should i wait untill next year.