Neighbours talking over the garden gate has long been a tradition. They share gardening tips, complain about the weather and pests yet are ever eager to discuss their gardens. That is what I had in mind when creating this blog. So stop by my garden gate to find out the latest happenings in my garden.
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
"All my life through, the new sights of Nature made me rejoice like a child." ~ Madame Marie Curie"
Strawberry Blooms
May 15, 2007
My experience with strawberries is they are very hardy. My June bearing strawberries are now in bloom so it won't be long. The majority of them are housed in a 8' x 10' raised bed. The bed originally was planted with strawberry plants I moved from our old house, planted in a temporary bed then moved to the new raised bed the following year. I do not know what variety they are but talk about tenacity! These plants do not understand the concept of temporary garden beds, raised beds or garden pathways. They have sprouted up in the temporary bed and spread even though I thought I had them all dug and keep pulling them. They have filled the raised bed and spilled over the sides of the raised bed rooting themselves on the paths. I have given away strawberry plants for the past three years and yet I am over run with them! They are like weeds! Needless to say, I am starting several pots to go along with us if we end up moving.
This is a wonderful variety with large, juicy berries. I really don't do much with them other than watering and a heavy application of organic fertilizer after they finished bearing. Once in awhile I toss in a little epsom salt. From there the strawberries live on neglect. I suspect the rabbits or gnomes are giving them more attention than I am!
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2007
What is your experience with slugs munching on the berries. I grew strawberries many years ago and was disheartened by the slugs getting them before we did. Do the raised beds make a difference with this?
ReplyDeleteHi pokey! Slugs are much easier to control in raised beds. This seems to be a common concern so my next post will be dealing with the slug problem. It's our long weekend so I might not have a chance to post before tomorrow or Tuesday but watch for that one. Hopefully I can get a picture of the cute little critters!
ReplyDeleteHi garden gnome! Thank you for blogmarking my rosewoman blog at BlogExplosion. Have blogmarked your blog, too! Will come back often to read.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Germany to Canada
heipet