Strawberry mats

[Dorothy rouse]

Last year, I put straw, bought from pet shop under the strawberries, to keep the fruit clean and dry, problem being it 'seeded itself ' and started to sprout, so thought I'd use some 'mat things this year, just checked the price, Ridiculously expensive to buy, does anyone make their own? And if you do what do you use? Black membrane?

Thank you

[The Griff]

This is my strawberry bed, picture taken a few weeks ago after I planted the strawberries threw some weed membrain with holes I cut with scissors.

[Jungle Jane]

I'm using my Christmas tree pine,apparently bugs don't like it?

[Mr Bones]

Mrs B's using debris netting. Our plot's so exposed and windy, straw would be gone in a few days. Have wondered about the mats but would be concerned about slugs.

[Alison]

I don't use anything, two jobs less as I don't have to put anything down or pick it up after the end of the season