Strawberry mats

[chefgage]

Hello all, quick question about strawberry mats.

I would like to use strawberry mats this year instead of the traditional straw. what are they made off (the mats not the strawberries ). Do they allow water to pass through as this would watering alot easier than having to individually water each plant through the hole in the mat? Does that make sense?

[Two_Sheds]

Why use anything?

[chefgage]

true, i have not in the past. I suppose i read something and i think i must do that

[veggiechicken]

Totally irrelevant I know but you've made me wonder why Strawberries are called Straw - berries
As you were...................

[Two_Sheds]

^ there are quite a few theories about that, not all of them involving growing strawberries on a bed of straw.


I've never put anything under strawberries. They might get a splash of mud now & then, but not enough to warrant the work & expense of buying a specific mulch

[sammy_roser]

I used straw one time (was free from work) And had lovely strawberries untouched by slugs.
Last year I didn't use straw and had no strawberries as the slugs had eaten them all.

I don't think last year is a fair comparison to anything so this year will be the test, no straw again and see how my strawberries go.

[rustylady]

If you really want strawberry collars why not make your own out of thick cardboard?

[chefgage]

If you really want strawberry collars why not make your own out of thick cardboard?

i think i have some weed suppresion material left so i might use that

[Two_Sheds]

Last year I didn't use straw and had no strawberries as the slugs had eaten them all.

That doesn't mean the straw caused no slugs though. Last year was exceptionally cool & damp, and slug numbers doubled or tripled

[snakeshack]

I used straw last year and the slugs ate the lot!

[Deltahero]

Strawberry mats - my experience

This has been interesting reading. I've been growing strawberries for years and my crop has grown and grown but I have come to rely on my rather amateur 'strawberry collars' for those I've raised in raised beds (and not baskets whose strawberries hang out anyway). Collars tend to keep the slugs off and the berries cleaner (grandkids brought up to prefer 'clean' food I'm afraid!)
My reason for getting into this topic is that I heard a tip the other day that sounds great in theory and I'm going to give it a try. An expert suggested collars/mats in red, the theory being that the plants judge the red as a competing strawberry plant and rushes to keep up, so this brings on the crop!! Now I know it sounds potty, but growing is full of these barking ideas, some of which actually work, so I'm looking for bright red cardboard to cut into collars and I'll let you know how I get on.

[Bigmallly]

Good luck with your potty experiment Deltahero & let us know how it goes...........Welcome to the Vine.

[Stan79]

I used straw last year and the slugs ate the lot!

The slugs ate the straw?

[Penellype]

I'm growing strawberries in a self watering trough in the greenhouse, and they are just beginning to be ready to eat. I've recently covered the surface of the compost with weed suppressant material having noticed patches of rot on the ripest strawberry. I've since eaten 4 fruit which were completely clean and rot free.