found

[brad1001]

ive eventualy cleared the last of the masses of weeds and rubbish that was on my plot yesterday.
along the bottom of my plot is an overgrown blackberry bush which basicly seperates my plot from my neighbours.i cleared some back and i found masses of strawberries in amongst the undergrowth.
im not to sure whats the best thing to do with them.ive heard strawberries are at there best for about 4/5 years and i dont know how long theyve been there.
should i leave them this season to see how they go.or take them all out as i did want the area for something else.

as its a new plot for me.ive only had it 5 weeks ive got so much going on in my brain at the moment.what i want.where i want it.what ive got to do....im having problems sleeping...and i thought this was meant to be relaxing.

[binley100]

I'd leave the strawbs be to see what happens and maybe to grow some runners. As to the overactive brain thingy , have a notebook at the side of the bed and write stuff down ........btw my brain works best when I'm meant to be asleep as well..

[brad1001]

ive got the afternoon off work today so im going over there and take some photos.i think im going to need a bit of advice on this.ive gone from growing in a postage stamp garden to a full plot.
its all clear to ground level and basicly completly bear.
on one hand its exciting to have a big clean canvas to work on and the other very daunting..but as my dad said ive got it for years to come and dont try to get it all done in 2 weeks...true i suppose!

[SarahStrawberry]

I would leave the strawberries too and see what happens. Definitely take any runners that appear as new plants this year, then you will know better where you are with them.

Another thought, if they have already self planted their runners from late last year you could possibly, carefully, lift them and re-plant where you want them or in a strawberry planter of whatever you choose and you would know they were 1 year old. Then you could dispose of or move the original plants and go from there. I managed to do that last year with 2 or 3 that replanted themselves in the top of my planter and they survived and developed into normal plants in their own right.

New plot sounds really exciting - good luck

[AmyRose]

Haha Brad, i too spend my 'sleeping time' thinking of seeds and plants.

Good luck with the new plot, surprise strawberries sounds like my kind of plot

[brad1001]

just got back from the allotment and i think the strawberrie situation is worse than i thought.there all over the bottom end and gone wild.i spoke to my neighbour whos had his plot 30 years and he said my plots been vacant for 4 YEARS!!!..either that or the ole boy who had it hasnt been up there in that time.
it was in a realy bad way,80% of the plot was waist high with brambles,nettles ect.
eerything is now clear to ground level and ive just dug a bed over and manured it.im planning 6 large rised beds with gravel paths in between.
i just took a couple of photos to show you the progress so far.

[brad1001]

view looking from the bottom end to the shed

[brad1001]

looking down other way.coverd bed ive just manured

[Sonata]

Looks good. Your enthusiasm is very contagious. I'm excited and I haven't got my lottie yet..but this year!

[binley100]

..and the enthusiasm will continue as you get more stuff growing. Looks like you're making excellent progress.......

[brad1001]

..and the enthusiasm will continue as you get more stuff growing. Looks like you're making excellent progress.......

even with the blisters and back ach!!
im realy enjoying my time up there.ive meet both my neighbours and there realy freindly and helpfull.

i do need a rotorvator though.

[binley100]

I didn't use a rotorvator ..........I used a rake to drag out all the dead stuff, then used a fork to go over it all digging out couch grass etc, then did it again but working across at right angles to the first time, then covered it till I was ready to plant. Hard going but managed to clear out a lot of roots........a rotorvator chops them all up and then they're harder to get out......

[Two_Sheds]

it was in a realy bad way,80% of the plot was waist high with brambles,nettles

like this then It's great to take before and after photos, it really shows you what you've achieved

6 large rised beds with gravel paths

how will you stop the gravel from migrating/sinking?


April is the best month for planting strawberries. I would take out the best of them then, and put in their new space. Compost or freecycle the rest

I inherited lots of strawbs of unknown vintage too: their runners have been brilliant (and free)

[gojiberry]

I would be inclined to bin the strawberry plants if they have been wild for 4/5 years. New plants are not that expensive, I've just ordered 50 for £16.50 (I know a lot of money if you haven't got it in the first place). Your plot seems to be going very well, just keep an eye on the cleared ground and cover with black plastic if you don't get it dug before the weeds start growing again. Good luck.

Ian

[brad1001]

like this then It's great to take before and after photos, it really shows you what you've achieved

how will you stop the gravel from migrating/sinking?


April is the best month for planting strawberries. I would take out the best of them then, and put in their new space. Compost or freecycle the rest

I inherited lots of strawbs of unknown vintage too: their runners have been brilliant (and free)

my son in laws getting me old scaffold boards from work for the edging and i was thinking using black shetting on the paths then a couple of inches of gravel over the top.
ive got a rotorvator coming saturday morning and was giong to rotovate all the beds then cover with manure and sheet them over for a while.i think its going to be a long prosses to get the soil up to scratch.
i cleared one bed by hand yesterday which took 5 hours and killed me...im getting old.