Strawberry - greenfly already!

[Neiller59]

So I was out watering my strawberry plants today when I saw that some of them had flowers already! As if this wasn't a big enough of a shock, but then on closer inspection I saw a piece of a new leaf that was a slighty different shade of green, and of course it was a patch of young greenfly. I looked through all 5 of my plants and found numerous clumps of them. Needless to say I took them off and squashed the buggers.

Obviously at least a few will have hidden from me and will start breeding, so any advice on how to get rid of them? But obviously I don't want nasty chemicals getting in my strawberries which I intend to eat!

Thanks in advance

[WrexTheDragon]

Washing up liquid is good.

How is Wallace Park, still there?

[Neiller59]

Wow youve been to Lisburn? Yes it's still there and the kids park is being done up atm if you remember it

[WrexTheDragon]

Yes, My Grandad was with the cricket club and I remember the cycle track.
It was a few years ago.

[FB.]

Plant a small rose bush nearby.....or a dwarf apple tree.
My strawberries never get aphids. Not one. Ever.

....and yes, a few of my early strawberries (Alice and Christine) have a few flowers open at the moment.

[Bigmallly]

As with Wrex, I also use diluted washing up liquid but on my roses as that's where I get most greenfly.

[Neiller59]

Yes, My Grandad was with the cricket club and I remember the cycle track.
It was a few years ago.

I think that track was removed about 10 years ago so it mustve been a while since you've been up here Am i right in saying shropshire is down south?

Plant a small rose bush nearby.....or a dwarf apple tree.
My strawberries never get aphids. Not one. Ever.

....and yes, a few of my early strawberries (Alice and Christine) have a few flowers open at the moment.

Thanks, I'll try that! It must be because of the new growth, it seems to be the only thing they actually are attacking, its just annoying cos they are holding in the folds of where the leaf hasn't opened yet

And with the flowers, mine are maincrop strawberry! I think my cherry tree is about to come into blossom, so im excited about that

[gojiberry]

Problem with all this blossom is that the weather is supposed to be turning cold again next week which could kill a lot of the early blossom. Definitely cover strawberries with fleece if frost is forecast.

Ian