Strawberry Tips?

[Jonners]

We had strawberries in pots last year and neglected them a bit. But some managed to spread into the ground near the pots and we had some really nice strawberries from them this year.

We also went strawberry picking the other day, and that was great.

Now, this question has 2 parts really.

1. I am intolerant to most soft fruit, but seem OK with local strawberries, at least my own and the local farm we pick up. I am guess its an organic thing (doc did once mention that the itchy mouth and throat could be caused by chemicals etc.). Does anyone know anything about this? I may start making more strawberries!

2. Best way to plant them? At the moment they are in pots on the floor, and direct in the ground now. At the PYO they have them elevated, I guess so animals cannot eat them. Do they generally grow much better if all in hanging pots?

[chris]

You'll need to keep on top of them if you have them in pots, or hanging baskets.. they'll dry out much faster than in the ground.

Generally, with your first year plants it's "best" to not let them fruit so they put down a good root system for next year's fruiting. That said, I have never done this and still have had plenty of fruit in the subsequent years. I did prepare the ground well, and feed them year this at home (then the chickens ate them ).

If you've not yet cut the runners off from the parent plants int he pots, you should be able to do so now - you can then move them or what not when the time is right (after fruiting, during the dormant phase).

Not heard about the chemical reaction.. but home grown stuff is so much more tasty, and obviously if you garden as organically as possible - pesticide free

[Capsid]

Have you tried washing the fruit before you eat it, this will remove any chemical residue. But allergies to fruit are not uncommon.

Strawberry Allergy | Strawberry Plants .org

I find that growing strawberries in the ground gives bigger fruit and more of it.

[chris]

Thinking about it.. if my little one eats strawberries/soft fruit she gets a rash.. it doesn't stop her going outside and eating them though

[Florence Fennel]

My neighbour has grown some for the first time this year in some large pots on high legs. The fruit looked brilliant dangling down the sides of the containers, big and red and plenty of them, but when I complimented them on having more than me this year (as you know, I've renewed all my plants), they said that they were bitter, wonder what that was all about? Glad to hear you're not intolerant of your own produce Jonners.

[dave_norm_smith]

Somebody told me once that it was the most common allergy? My kid sister had it but grew out of it eventually! Do you think I could get away with an additional row at the foot of my raspberries? (Mine grow in pots currently)

[Hillwalker]

Have you tried washing the fruit before you eat it, this will remove any chemical residue.

With respect Mark, it doesn't. The last thing an outside grower wants is for any applied treatment to be instantly rinsed off by rain. Chemicals are applied in relation to picking time.

I find that growing strawberries in the ground gives bigger fruit and more of it.

As a forced container grower, I reluctantly have to agree with you.