[MoreWhisky]

Got to plot tonight and most of my strawbs have flowered.

Bit earlier than i expected so when do i really need to net and put straw round?

Cheers MW

[corynsboy]

My plants are just starting to flower and I had the straw down two weeks ago just because I happened to have the time. I'd leave it now just in case you damage any of the flowers but as the berries start to form get the straw down sharpish.

Do yourself a favour and give the ground a sprinkle with slug pellets before the straw goes down or you'll risk creating slug & snail cover with a nice supply of food!

[courgette]

no sign on any of mine yet! hope they'l flower soon!   

[HLS]

Mine have had a few flowers for about a week now.  I've no idea what variety they are - special offer at B&Q is all I know!

[MoreWhisky]

Had a drive round the local farms today loking for a bale of straw, unfortunatly all i could find to buy was a bale of hay for £2 so bought it.

Im hoping the hay wil do round my strawbs instead of straw, unless anyone knows any different?? as a tiny lil bit worried it will break down to quick.

I have got 3x10m rows of strawbs so it had to be cheap.

[Cazzy]

I'm growing strawberries this year for the first time but obviously didn't do my homework first coz i'm wondering .....

Whats the straw for?

 :blink:

[DIGGER]

I'm growing strawberries this year for the first time but obviously didn't do my homework first coz i'm wondering .....

Whats the straw for?

 :blink:

Keeps moisture in the soil, keeps soil of the fruit and keeps weeds away.

I tend to save my lawn mowings and next doors and  rake some off council mowed land. I also use it between my runner bean structures to keep weeds out.

[Yorkie]

MW, re. hay - just a couple of cautionary things to bear in mind here

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=35388.0

[Babstreefern]

I use straw bedding that you can buy at the supermarket for pets.

[Cazzy]

Thanks Digger, I'll need to go get some.

[Fen]

Do buy straw, hay is usually full of grass seeds, which will germinate amd fill your plot with grass.

[MoreWhisky]

never thought about the seeds oh well in the compost bin with it 

[green fingers]

Mine are all flowering and look really good and healthy - wish I could say that for the rest of the stuff I've planted.  I've netted mine

[out4nowt]

I got some Strawberry plants from Aldi this year and they are bearing small to medium size, green fruit already.