strawberry beds

[wharf road]

what is the best way to prepare strawberry beds before planting::

[wayne]

they prefer a full sun however they will grow in as little as 6 hours sunlight, the soil has to be weed free and well drained but never allowed to get too dry or waterlogged. the optimum ph for the soil is between 5.5 and 6.5 (they will tolerate a bit either way). put plenty of organic compost/manure oh and dont plant them where tomatoes, potatoes or peppers have grown in the last three years. i always use mulch dressing on top and later some straw to keep the berry's clean

[matt44]

When is the best time to sow the seeds?

Also, I read you should put a cover between the plant and the soil - would it be wise to lay a membrane, cut a hole in and plant in that?

[Paulottie]

I grow straws through membrane. Such a good choice, saves loads of work.

I grew them from virus free runners not seed though(3 varieties). Tried once and they turn out to be alpine ones

[NOG]

When is the best time to sow the seeds?

Also, I read you should put a cover between the plant and the soil - would it be wise to lay a membrane, cut a hole in and plant in that?

Membrarane with holes is great but....cut a few extra holes and put 2lt bottes in to water.

Seeds....Seeds...Strawbs are weeds.. they throw off Runners in the autumn. Find someone with a strawberry bed and they will give you all the runners you need.

You don't buy Strawbs....

[wharf road]

strawberry beds

they prefer a full sun however they will grow in as little as 6 hours sunlight, the soil has to be weed free and well drained but never allowed to get too dry or waterlogged. the optimum ph for the soil is between 5.5 and 6.5 (they will tolerate a bit either way). put plenty of organic compost/manure oh and dont plant them where tomatoes, potatoes or peppers have grown in the last three years. i always use mulch dressing on top and later some straw to keep the berry's clean

Thank you all for the help hope i can be as helpful in the future.

[Bramble Lover]

I put some runners in a new bed last year.

Would it be ok for me to move these back to the original bed......there is plenty of room ........or do they not like being moved?

[NOG]

I tend to let the runners root in the summer then cut them and pot them and let them have a winter in the greenhouse before they go back out in the spring.

[helly]

I cut some runners last year and left them in the greenhouse, but they didn't survive,any ideas why they died?
cheers

[NOG]

What you should do is find a runner and then put a small pot (filled with compost) under it and let it root into the pot then when it is big enought cut it from the mother plant.

I tend to let them root into the ground and then dig them out.

Did you let them dry out?