Straw and Strawberries

The Golden Heap · « **on:** June 20, 2013, 07:59 »

What is best to place under strawberry plants, I thought straw, could i buy pet grade straw from a pet shop would that not have chemicals or anything in, also a pesky slug?? took the first ripe one!

Eblana · « **Reply #1 on:** June 20, 2013, 10:36 »

I bought a bag in the local pet shop, nothing on the bag to indicate it had been treated with anything. I put down slug pellets under it to be on the safe side as I have no plans on sharing my strawberries with the slugs.

The Golden Heap · « **Reply #2 on:** June 20, 2013, 19:07 »

Thanks, the slugs have been back again lucky blighters

Nij48 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 20, 2013, 19:09 »

I am using home grown straw this year (and probably for the next few years) - my 'fruit patch' had some amazing grass when I took it on - I strimmed it and put it in a builders/tonn bag stored in the shed - perfect straw

m1ckz · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2013, 19:34 »

if it was grass..then you will get hay not straw lol

Nij48 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2013, 19:42 »

Quote from: m1ckz on June 20, 2013, 19:34

if it was grass..then you will get hay not straw lol

haha shows how much I know lol - I am a total newbie

snowdrops · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2013, 19:49 »

You might find that it is silage now unless it was absolutely dry

Don't worry we all started learning somewhere. Wish this forum was about when I started learning. Actually change that- wish computers were invented

Nij48 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 20, 2013, 20:02 »

Quote from: snowdrops on June 20, 2013, 19:49

You might find that it is silage now unless it was absolutely dry Don't worry we all started learning somewhere. Wish this forum was about when I started learning. Actually change that- wish computers were invented

Very dry - it was cut dry and left in the shed all the way through.
What would you use it for? Sorry

snowdrops · « **Reply #8 on:** June 20, 2013, 20:05 »

Compost,have you got a compost bin,add it in thin layers.

surbie100 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 20, 2013, 20:10 »

I'm experimenting with one bed with straw over membrane, and one with soil - will see which one performs best...

The straw got really damp and mouldy last year, not nice on the berries!

Nij48 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 20, 2013, 20:10 »

Quote from: snowdrops on June 20, 2013, 20:05

Compost,have you got a compost bin,add it in thin layers.

Yep, I have two (will get another soon)

Cheers for the advise

snowdrops · « **Reply #11 on:** June 20, 2013, 20:13 »

Just a thought if it has seed heads you will need to chop them off,it's doubtful that your bin will get hot enough to kill the seeds off & then you will effectively be planting it all when you add the compost to the plot.

Nij48 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 20, 2013, 20:23 »

Quote from: snowdrops on June 20, 2013, 20:13

Just a thought if it has seed heads you will need to chop them off,it's doubtful that your bin will get hot enough to kill the seeds off & then you will effectively be planting it all when you add the compost to the plot.

There should be a thanks button - ill have to go through them like but I have nothing better to do at the mo as I am not meant to be doing any heavy lifting

Garryac · « **Reply #13 on:** June 20, 2013, 21:28 »

Don't buy it from the pet shop ..very expensive you can get a full bale for about 4quid from an equestrian supplier

gavinjconway · « **Reply #14 on:** June 20, 2013, 21:58 »

Best straw is "barley straw" as it keeps from going mouldy the longest.. find a local barley farmer and get a bale or ask if you can rake some up after combining.

Strawberries and straw.. Started by mandycharlie on Grow Your Own	20 Replies 11245 Views	April 02, 2007, 00:07 by Aunt Sally
How much straw for strawberries? Started by Swing Swang on Grow Your Own	7 Replies 3044 Views	May 22, 2010, 10:41 by Aidy
straw and strawberries Started by rachelsco on Grow Your Own	6 Replies 1695 Views	May 05, 2012, 20:31 by rachelsco
straw under Strawberries Started by Flump on Grow Your Own	9 Replies 5135 Views	June 04, 2010, 08:50 by NigelB

Straw and Strawberries

The Golden Heap

Straw and Strawberries

Eblana

Re: Straw and Strawberries

The Golden Heap

Re: Straw and Strawberries

Nij48

Re: Straw and Strawberries

m1ckz

Re: Straw and Strawberries

Nij48

Re: Straw and Strawberries

snowdrops

Re: Straw and Strawberries

Nij48

Re: Straw and Strawberries

snowdrops

Re: Straw and Strawberries

surbie100

Re: Straw and Strawberries

Nij48

Re: Straw and Strawberries

snowdrops

Re: Straw and Strawberries

Nij48

Re: Straw and Strawberries

Garryac

Re: Straw and Strawberries

gavinjconway

Re: Straw and Strawberries

Similar Topics

Strawberries and straw..

How much straw for strawberries?

straw and strawberries

straw under Strawberries