Recycling in the stawberry patch

[Dynamo]

I've just been sorting out my strawberry patch. I've put the plants in upturned 2 litre plastic milk bottles and to help keep the weeds down I've used empty cat litter bags to cover the bare earth around the pots.



I figure that the paper will compost down in time but there's always an endless supply of the bags to replace them as they get tatty.

Here's how they all look at the present time. I just need some more plants to fill the section up.

[fishpond]

I like it, but why in containers ?

[Dynamo]

I like it, but why in containers ?

I just like the idea of the strawberries being off the ground giving them a bit of air. :-)

[fishpond]

I think they will need watering quite often.

[bretty666]

How about now covering the paper with compost? gett a better water retention your paper will be weighed down and you will bulk up your earth? Not so.sure about the milk bottle idea though but each to their own..please keep us posted on how they do like that though

[WendyC]

Someone on my site uses lengths if drainpipe to do the same thing. Have never noticed bumper crops or any advantage. Another plot holder tried it one year and gave up due to having to water more frequently.

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

What's wrong with laying a bed of straw under the plants once fruit starts to set?
Been used for yonk's!

Increases air flow, keeps fruit off the ground, and eleviate's mud splash to the fruit when it rains!

After all! That's where they got there name! "Strawberries"

[Snadger]

You must have a LOT of cats which drink a LOT of milk!

[Dynamo]

How about now covering the paper with compost?

The whole point about putting the paper down was to stop weeds. If I put compost on top of it then weeds will grow in it.

Another point about the paper is that its free cos we go through about four bags of the stuff every week with our two house cats. I don't have access to straw so that would be an extra cost. I just thought I'd try the bags because they'd get thrown out otherwise.

[veggiechicken]

I think its a good idea Dynamo, although the watering may be a problem.
The paper bag mulch is not much different to planting through cardboard. It'll get wet and the paper will stick down to the next pieces, then compost itself.
Ignore all these Naysayers and let us know how you get on.

[Alison]

You must have a LOT of cats which drink a LOT of milk!

Most cats can't drink as it gives them stomach problems although that would increase the amount of litter required


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