Strawberries preparing

Mine went wild last year so I have a patch some 6m x 3m a mix of previous and new shoots. To try out I have strimmed them down and composted the loose stuff (by raking it all out). So I'm thinking feeding now so perhaps a sprinkling of Chicken pellets and Growmore about now ready for growth? Wary of compost as it will encourage slugs. Ideas welcome.

 

I would do one or the other not both. I would also wait until I could see new growth on the plants; say end of March, unless you get really mild weather then mid March.

 

Great thanks. Research suggests: Use chicken pellets in early spring for nitrogen and soil improvement, then apply potassium fertiliser 4 weeks later to encourage fruiting. Avoid fresh manure, and always use well-rotted or dried pellets to prevent plant damage. For organic gardening, Fish, Blood and Bone (FBB) is often considered a better all-around choice due to its balanced nutrient profile and high potash content. So I must get some BF&B for later. Must rake them again to loosen the soil.

 

I wouldn't use FBB if you have either dogs or foxes around - they love it.

 

Agree with @NigelJ , its rather early for adding any ferts unless you can see lots of fresh growth on your strawbs, ours are still very much dormant.

Also, adding anything now will likely be washed away by all the rains.

FB&B is generally considered a slow acting fert used at planting time, you might be better using a Tomato feed once the flower buds are forming.

 

At this point, do nothing.

I would suggest to slow down with the whole fertiliser (of any kind) buying or applying...

If it ain't broke...

 

So do badgers. Although badgers really have a thing about peanut butter.

 

Then I'll spread peanut butter on the side verges. That'll stop em!

 

Why would you want to encourage badgers to spend time near moving vehicles?

 

If you are growing them outside then I wouldn't bother about feeding them at present - not worth it given the current wet weather.
I have some of mine in the cold GH and even down here, they aren't showing much signs of new growth yet.

 

I have a bed of them and this is my plan: they are at soil level, not ideal. I will shove a fork into the soil and lift them up and loosen (bit compacted). I will then add 7cm compost mixed with some of the aforementioned feed on top for them (some will get in the gaps created) to grow through (they are just showing signs of growth here in Dorset UK). This should raise them up a bit and some straw later (although I find it gets rather wet and sluggy) for support.

 

How long have they been in that bed ?
Life expectancy is generally 3-4 seasons, it is desirable to establish new plants from runners which are thrown after the fruiting season finishes; generally in the second year.
This enables you to build a new bed on a different plot , preparing with plenty of fym and then plant out your new plants in due course. They should produce their best crop in the subsequent second season and by then you can have scrapped the first bed, returning it to a different crop. Cycle to repeat thus. Remember they require considerable water, with need to supplement natural supply most years.

 

The use of straw is often recommended to keep the fruit above soil level and therefore clean. It can also help to deter the Vine weevil from laying it's eggs at the base of the plant allowing any grubs to then attack the roots. Another deterrent for that problem is a good layer of grit or ground up eggshells.

 

The bed is 6m x 1/2m two strips. Bit expensive and labour intensive with straw. Vine weevil I did not know about, I'll look that up. I will dig out the older plants and let the new suckers take over.