Strawberry Bed

[Maria Grant]

Hi,

When is the best time to clear the straw from my strawberry bed? I suspect I've left it too late this year as I've disturbed a couple of what appear to be hybernating frogs when I went to do the job today. Any advice on when I should do it next year would be hugely appreciated.

Maria.

[Snadger]

Unless its weed infested,why not just leave it as a mulch?

[Maria Grant]

Strawberry Bed - Botrytis

Hi Snadger,

>Unless its weed infested,why not just leave it as a mulch?

I was told that I should remove the old straw because I'd risk botrytis fungi infecting the plants but wasn't told WHEN I should remove it. Any ideas?

Maria.

[rustylady]

Who told you that Maria?

[Maria Grant]

Who told you that Maria?

An establisher allotmenter at my site... who has since died so I can't go back and ask for clarification. The tone of your question suggests that the information is wrong... ?

[Snadger]

An establisher allotmenter at my site... who has since died so I can't go back and ask for clarification. The tone of your question suggests that the information is wrong... ?

I don't think there is a right way and a wrong way? I personally leave mine but once the leaves have died back there's nothing to stop you removing yours if you so wish. Any weeds could be pulled or eased out at the same time and the soil tickled with a handfork to relieve any surface compaction (in my case where I 've been stepping to harvest the strawberries)

[Scarlet]

I thought straw was used to STOP botrytis (as well as the weeds!) It aids ventilation.

[buzzingtalk]

Surely straw thats been down presumably since summer would be wet, soggy and compacted though? This was certainly true for the straw I had out under the squash and pumpkins.

[Scarlet]

Didn't realise you could get botrytis in the winter - I assumed botrytis was more a problem for the plant and fruit during wet humid conditions. Using the straw increases air circulation around the plants and lifts the fruit off the ground. I have always left the straw in place over winter and never had a problem -but there's always a first!!

[Aberdeenplotter]

using straw or felt mats or carpet underlay or anything similar has no effect whatever on botrytis. Using these materials simply keeps the berries clean. There are commercial applications available to control the dreaded mould but personally, I'm happier just chucking affected berries out and knowing what I'm eating whilst enjoying the fruits of my labours