What to put under strawberry fruit.

[noviceveggrower]

Hi,
I seem to be having a bumper crop of strawberries. Well so far they all seem to have fruit setting and there seems to be quite a few biggies.
So I was wondering what everyone puts under their fruit to protect it from the soil and slugs. Last year I tried some hay it seemed to work ok but on a dry windy day it blew everywhere when I lifted the fleece to do some picking.
So is there anything else I could use or do?
Thanks

[Bren In Pots]

I use weed suppressant/landscaping fabric with organic slug pellets underneath the fabric.

[Dorothy rouse]

I use straw, it didn't blow away, but my strawberries are now very close together, also put down slug pellets, and whole bed is covered with netting and secured, as we have squirrels, that love a juicy red strawberry! (As well as pigeons), don't mind sharing a few, but only a few!

[Shadylane]

I used to use straw, but found it encouraged slugs. I don't bother now and just put up with the odd one going mouldy.

[Bigmallly]

This year I've started using Y shaped sticks under the main fruiting branch, working well so far.

[veggiechicken]

Hi,
I seem to be having a bumper crop of strawberries. Well so far they all seem to have fruit setting and there seems to be quite a few biggies.
So I was wondering what everyone puts under their fruit

...........Icecream?

Sorry, it just had to be said..........................I'll get my coat

[Dorothy rouse]

Under and over, I'd say!

[noviceveggrower]

...........Icecream?

Sorry, it just had to be said..........................I'll get my coat

Not forgetting the red sauce and sprinkles. Or may be even some jelly

[Bigmallly]

Tek no notice of 'em NVG, they're only jealous.................by the way have you tried just dipping them in sugar?.......................

[veggiechicken]

............or melted chocolate

[Dorothy rouse]

Hi,

So I was wondering what everyone puts under their fruit to protect it from the soil and slugs.
Thanks

How about a bowl, or a large spoon.

[Bill HH]

I have a narrow (12 inches) raised bed with mine in, they hang over the side and so don't touch the ground. and I am an evaporated milk guy I prefer it to real cream.

[Bal]

............or melted chocolate

I was going to say that

[Bal]

Preferably eaten in the bath with a glass of champagne ( I can dream can't I?)

[Two_Sheds]

Anyway ...!


I don't put a mulch under my strawbs, but if I did it would be wet newspapers. They mat together to create a stiff, papier mache effect that's very good at keeping down weeds, and the surface is dry (when it isn't raining).

No, it doesn't blow away.

You do get a few slugs underneath it, so take precautions (organic slug pellets)