Reap rewards with STRAWBERRIES GARDENING
One of the easiest and most rewarding berries to grow is the strawberry. Plants purchased from the garden centre generally give three years of good fruiting before they peter out and should be replaced. In that time, each plant produces a multitude of sweet, delicious fruits that far outweigh the effort and cost.
Strawberry plants can be planted for much of the year; however, the best results by far come from those planted during May.
VARIETIES
There are several varieties available that do well here in Whanganui.
Strawberry varieties fall into two main categories — short-day varieties and dayneutral varieties. The biggest difference is the fruiting peak falls at a different time, so if you plant a mixture of these varieties, you will be harvesting fruit for a longer period. I have been harvesting fruit throughout the summer with a mixture of both types of plants and harvested my last bowlful only two weeks ago in late April. The first ones were ready in October.
Short-day varieties initiate flowering when, as the name suggests, the days are short in winter and spring. Subsequently, the bulk of the fruit of these varieties will start in early November, mostly finishing after Christmas. Camarosa is a short-day variety that produces large, well-flavoured fruit right around Christmas. It is a real winner. Another is Ventana.
Day-neutral varieties, in contrast, will fruit any time of the year when the temperatures are warm enough for growth. Day-neutral varieties include Monterey, Aromas, Albion and Cabrillo.
Two top strawberry varieties: Camarosa will be available as bare root bundles for a limited time. The Camerosa varieties are in store now. Monterey varieties are due in the next week or so. This is the most economical way to buy strawberry plants. Otherwise, all the mentioned varieties will be available from late May or early June in pots and punnets.
While strawberry plantings can be made year round, planting done in the cooler months tends to result in heavier cropping than plantings made in warmer months.
WHERE TO GROW
There seems no limit to how and where strawberries can be grown
They can be grown in old car tyres, where the heat of the tyres hastens ripening. This method keeps the fruit off the ground and therefore clean from soil. They can be grown in hydroponics, in glazed or terracotta pots or specialist herb/ strawberry planters. They are an edible option to grow in a hanging basket, or they can fit in the herb garden.
Many grow strawberries in pots and containers of various forms.
The biggest factor in growing good strawberries is site selection. The plants need a sunny position and well-drained soil that has a good structure. When planting strawberries, improve the garden with the addition of Tui Strawberry Mix or Tui Sheep Pellets.
MULCHING AND FEEDING
Mulching the soil surface between plants will prevent weeds, maintain an even soil temperature and prevent moisture loss in summer. Suitable mulches include straw, sawdust, pine needles, pine bark or wood shavings. While they like to be well-drained, plants will need to be watered during the summer months.
Strawberries are relatively pest-free; just keep an eye out for slugs during spring and the occurrence of aphids and mites during the summer months, which may require control using bee-friendly Yates Mavrik.
BIRD CONTROL
The most effective method is to construct a frame on which bird netting may be draped.
How many to plant? A rule of thumb is to plant five plants for each family member.
Gareth Carter is the general manager of Springvale Garden Centre.