Re: 2012 pictures of Birth of new strawberry bed through 1st renovation

audrey.jeanne.roberts 4/14/2014, 12:33 pm

Just a thought, but could you fill the space under with a large amount of manure and straw. The basics you would then use to build a compost pile but let it sit there through the winter and prevent the cold air from penetrating under the bed?

I forget what it's called, is it a "hot bed" when manure is used to heat a cold frame through the winter?

**llama momma** 4/14/2014, 1:15 pm

I thought about your theory. The bottom of the bed is nearly 3 feet tall so mounding up that much manure and straw would be rather unsightly. Then settle, and I'd be concerned with speeding up the rate of decay on the plywood bottom and bottom side pieces if the manure mix was in constant contact.
I don't want to risk losing a perennial crop again so the table top will become a bed for short annuals like lettuce, beets, etc. I'll keep strawberries in ground boxes from now on and avoid any worries. If I dare put strawberries in the t. top you know it'll tick off mother nature Twisted Evil

and bring along another unusually frigid and windy winter!
silly me

**Kelejan** 4/14/2014, 2:28 pm

So it's your fault that we had the winter we had? So next year, if you do as you say, LLM, we will have a milder winter. I have made a note on my calender, Page six, 2012 Strawberry Bed Renovation. Very Happy

**llama momma** 4/14/2014, 3:25 pm

Funny, yes Kelejan I confess to causing mayhem for so many gardeners. Razz

I will change my ways and no longer test and anger Mother N.
affraid

68carguy 4/20/2014, 6:44 pm

I only lost one strawberry this year in my container...kinda suprised.

strawberries renovation - 2012 pictures of Birth of new strawberry bed through 1st renovation - Page 4 Strawb11

strawberries renovation - 2012 pictures of Birth of new strawberry bed through 1st renovation - Page 4 Strawb11

**AtlantaMarie** 4/20/2014, 8:12 pm

Wow, Carguy. The ones you have look gorgeous!

Haven't gotten that far yet. Maybe next year.

**llama momma** 4/20/2014, 8:24 pm

Very pretty and congratulations!

68carguy 4/20/2014, 8:32 pm

Thanks to both of you. They kinda have taken over this corner. The ones on the ground wasn't planted there they are runners from the blue container. I give dozens away each year.

**AtlantaMarie** 4/21/2014, 9:02 am

Wish I lived closer! I'd take advantage of that!

audrey.jeanne.roberts 4/21/2014, 10:33 am

We had our first strawberries of the season over the weekend. They were wonderfully sweet and tasty (and truth be told - I didn't let them fully ripen!)

We had our babies from last year growing all winter in the rain gutters we installed below our 4x4 table top, so they had developed a nice root system. They took to their new spot in the garden and are off to the races!

68carguy 4/21/2014, 7:59 pm

AtlantaMarie wrote:Wish I lived closer! I'd take advantage of that!

I wished you did also, I would be glad to help you out with some plants. I am taking a guy I work with 6 plants this week, he is going to try growing them in 2 hanging baskets.

**AtlantaMarie** 4/21/2014, 10:26 pm

Sigh.... Was thinking about this while cutting the grass this afternoon.

I think I may put some on the south wall of the house. It gets lots of sun. Just gotta clear out the sand Mike put there a while back (and fire ants that have taken over the sand).

audrey.jeanne.roberts 4/21/2014, 10:56 pm

AtlantaMarie wrote:Sigh.... Was thinking about this while cutting the grass this afternoon.

I think I may put some on the south wall of the house. It gets lots of sun. Just gotta clear out the sand Mike put there a while back (and fire ants that have taken over the sand).

I just saw a video on making an aerator for compost tea. The gentleman was from Texas and they discussed fire ants. He mentioned that dried molasses spread out over the area will chase away fire ants. People in the crowd mentioned it had worked for them really well.

You might look that up and see what people do, how much etc. We don't have fire ants so I don't have any experience with them. My regular ants are bad enough Shocked

**AtlantaMarie** 4/22/2014, 7:52 am

REALLY....? Hmmmmm.... Guess I know what's going on the dehydrator next... We have a terrible problem with them!

Thanks Audrey.Jeanne!

audrey.jeanne.roberts 4/22/2014, 11:20 am

It sounded like it's available dried commercially as a farm supplement perhaps for farm animals? They also mentioned you could spray liquid and it went farther. You'll need to research it more to find out the details Very Happy

Good Luck!

FamilyGardening 4/23/2014, 1:44 am

LLM so sorry for the loss of your strawberries.... Sad

I thought I already commented on here....I guess it went *poof* I sure you get ton's off of your runners!!

hugs
rose

**AtlantaMarie** 4/23/2014, 8:20 am

Well, then maybe I'll just try watering some down and spraying it.

Thanks again, Audrey.Jeanne.

**llama momma** 4/23/2014, 8:40 am

FamilyGardening wrote:LLM so sorry for the loss of your strawberries.... I thought I already commented on here....I guess it went *poof* I sure you get ton's off of your runners!!

hugs
rose

Thanks a bunch. Yes I'm so grateful for all the saved runners in the ground boxes. This years harvest will be about 50% of last years but it sure beats a total loss.

Thanks for staying on topic too. Things got derailed there for awhile Wink

and the mods didn't catch it. No biggie. I've derailed a few topics in my time too.

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