Re: Strawberries- Dazed and confused

momvet Thu May 28, 2015 1:09 pm

vortex wrote:Strawberries really aren't difficult. No need to over think it at all.

Year 1

Start out around your last frost date, maybe a week later.

Take a 4x4, add 12 plants.

Wish I could, don't have enough room. Maybe I am not meant to have strawberries (i did grow them in the old days of row gardening when I had all the room in the world Sad

momvet Fri May 29, 2015 3:45 pm

Not sure if a picture would help. The top ones are obviously doing better, but some of the lower ones are really healthy and others ones not. Guess unless I can devote lots of square inches to strawberries, it won't happen.
strawberries - Strawberries- Dazed and confused - Page 3 Img_1433

strawberries - Strawberries- Dazed and confused - Page 3 Img_1433

Mikesgardn Fri May 29, 2015 6:31 pm

The plants at the top are what I would expect to see the first year. The lower ones may not get enough sun, even with rotation. Those types of planters may be a bit gimmicky. It looks like you have enough room for a 2'x2' box. If so, you can plant 16 plants in it as long as you trim the runners. I've done it that small before, and it works.

Mikesgardn Fri May 29, 2015 7:17 pm

Here is a picture of a small strawberry box, 15"x24". I planted 6 plants in it.
strawberries - Strawberries- Dazed and confused - Page 3 2010-213

**sanderson** Sat May 30, 2015 3:17 am

Mike, nice setup for the strawberries. Very Happy

Kathy, Yep, that's what mine looked like in the same stacked containers. Sad

momvet Sat May 30, 2015 11:26 am

Thanks -need more boxes I guess. Herbs seem pretty happy in the stacks. Mike - did you make those boxes? They look so nice. Part of my problem is that DH, although cooperating with the "back to gardening" idea, isn't that into it. We have a large pool that is never used and a small lawn that he adores. Both could go and make room for boxes as far as I am concerned!

vortex Sat May 30, 2015 2:59 pm

Really digging that cage, Mike. That's a great, multipurpose design.

**Scorpio Rising** Fri Apr 15, 2016 6:48 pm

Another reason to grow strawberries:

http://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating/blogs/strawberries-top-dirty-dozen-list

I am starting a box this year. Actually a triangle....half square.

countrynaturals Fri Apr 15, 2016 8:07 pm

sanderson wrote:I can't grow strawberries.

Nutz! That doesn't bode well for me, since we're in the same region. I just ordered 25 Eversweet plants. It says "Tolerates temps well above 100F with no loss of fruit quality." Fingers crossed.

countrynaturals Fri Apr 15, 2016 8:15 pm

vortex wrote:Went out to pull a few weeds last night, and found a pleasant surprise... strawberries!

Initially I figured it was just an early handful. Boy was I wrong. I ended up with 2 quarts that are now waiting to top some shortcakes. There are tons and tons more to come in the next few weeks from all the green ones coming on. Woo hoo!

I planted strawberries in Oregon -- weeded faithfully -- snails got them all. Then I gave up and let the weeds grow. One day, like you, I found a whole crop of beautiful berries right in the middle of the weed patch. Somehow the weeds protect or camouflage the berries I guess. Shocked

My new beds will be 3' high, so hopefully the critters won't be able to find them way up there and I will be able to keep a closer eye on them.

countrynaturals Fri Apr 15, 2016 8:20 pm

sanderson wrote:This year I conquer the tomato, next year the strawberry!

I haven't been able to grow a single tomato in 3 years of trying, but I REFUSE TO GIVE UP! I'm planting at least 6 varieties this year. At least one of them has to succeed, right? Rolling Eyes

**sanderson** Sat Apr 16, 2016 1:46 am

Country, Just because I have trouble with something that is suppose to grow in our area does NOT mean that you won't be successful. The tomatoes in 2014 succumbed to the curly leaf virus transmitted by the leaf hopper. It wasn't until a few months later that I found out the commercial tomato growers were also hit by the virus. In 2015 there was no virus in my yard and I was able to actually eat fresh ones and can one batch of tomatoes. This year I have 16 varieties growing, including 2 Iraqi varieties.

Now for straw berries . . . I forgot I was going to try them again. Embarassed

Do I need another Table Top. . .

CapeCoddess Sat Apr 16, 2016 7:41 am

countrynaturals wrote:
sanderson wrote:This year I conquer the tomato, next year the strawberry!
I haven't been able to grow a single tomato in 3 years of trying, but I REFUSE TO GIVE UP! I'm planting at least 6 varieties this year. At least one of them has to succeed, right?

Have you tried cherry tomatoes? They seem to be the easiest for me to grow. I don't have too much luck with larger tomatoes.

CC

countrynaturals Sat Apr 16, 2016 11:20 am

CapeCoddess wrote:
countrynaturals wrote:
sanderson wrote:This year I conquer the tomato, next year the strawberry!
I haven't been able to grow a single tomato in 3 years of trying, but I REFUSE TO GIVE UP! I'm planting at least 6 varieties this year. At least one of them has to succeed, right?
Have you tried cherry tomatoes? They seem to be the easiest for me to grow. I don't have too much luck with larger tomatoes.

CC

Good call, Cape. I'll try some of those, but Hubby really loves the big guys, so I must find a way. thinking

countrynaturals Sat Apr 16, 2016 11:22 am

sanderson wrote:Country, Just because I have trouble with something that is suppose to grow in our area does NOT mean that you won't be successful. The tomatoes in 2014 succumbed to the curly leaf virus transmitted by the leaf hopper. It wasn't until a few months later that I found out the commercial tomato growers were also hit by the virus. In 2015 there was no virus in my yard and I was able to actually eat fresh ones and can one batch of tomatoes. This year I have 16 varieties growing, including 2 Iraqi varieties.

Now for straw berries . . . I forgot I was going to try them again. Do I need another Table Top. . .

Let's have a "tomato off" and compare notes this fall. With all the varieties out there, I'm sure there's at least one that will like it here. Rolling Eyes

reynajrainwater Sun Apr 17, 2016 1:34 pm

Last year I didn't have much luck with tomatoes either but I wasn't giving up. I planted 7 different types of tomatoes this year and they are all doing great. I think keeping them to a single stem really has helped with keeping the plants healthy.

FeedMeSeeMore Sun Apr 17, 2016 2:39 pm

CapeCoddess wrote:
countrynaturals wrote:
sanderson wrote:This year I conquer the tomato, next year the strawberry!
I haven't been able to grow a single tomato in 3 years of trying, but I REFUSE TO GIVE UP! I'm planting at least 6 varieties this year. At least one of them has to succeed, right?
Have you tried cherry tomatoes? They seem to be the easiest for me to grow. I don't have too much luck with larger tomatoes.

CC

I've had great luck with a Tami G Hybrid grape tomato. I know it's not one of those big, fancy juicey varieties, but they taste good, produce prolifically and the plant has been very hardy. I always plant one in case all else fails. Home Depot or Walmart usually have them ready to plant.

**sanderson** Sun Apr 17, 2016 5:13 pm

And, now, back to our originally scheduled program: Strawberries. Wink

countrynaturals Sun Apr 17, 2016 5:33 pm

sanderson wrote:And, now, back to our originally scheduled program: Strawberries.

Mine are on their way. I'm gonna plant them around the front of 2/3 of my U-shaped bed. I have to stop when I get near the place where my cole crops will go next fall, cuz I read that strawberries and cabbage types don't like each other. It's gonna be a race to see if the plants get here before I have dirt for them. I think they could lay up for 24 hours if my bed isn't ready, but after that I'll have to start worrying.

ralitaco Sun Apr 17, 2016 8:01 pm

Hmm...strawberries...I have some 3 squares open in the corner of my 4x4.
should I plant some there or will they take over the whole box?

countrynaturals Sun Apr 17, 2016 9:48 pm

ralitaco wrote:Hmm...strawberries...I have some 3 squares open in the corner of my 4x4.
should I plant some there or will they take over the whole box?

They'll want the whole box if you let them, but they can be conrolled. What would you put in the 4th square to keep them company?

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