[Elaine G]

My strawberry bed is full of couch
I have tried to get it out but just end up pulling out the strawberries as well.
Would it be OK to clear the whole bed and replant the strawberries, and if so wolud this be a good time to do so or would it be better done in the spring?
If it is the correct time should I add BFB or chicken pellets or just replant. They have been there for a year and have been totally neglected due to me having a  year so far!

Thanks

Elaine

[Munchkin]

Is couch a type of weed? If so what does it look like.

[Trikidiki]

I'd dig the lot out and carefully remove any couch roots from the plants (remember every little piece will regrow). If possible,[ I would replant them in another bed if you can and grow something annual in the current bed so you can get it really clean. You'll want to replace the plants in a couple of years anyway and can then restock your original bed if you want. Otherwise I would arm youself with one of those roll-on weedkiller bottles to treat any regrowth amongst the strawberries.

Is couch a type of weed? If so what does it look like.

Probably the most pernicious common weed grass there is. It has thick white roots which break very easily and as I said above every little piece will regrow as a new plant.

[Goosegirl]

I found out from doing thisand also on here, that established strawberries don't like being re-planted - however, if they are young plants, then I would either remove them all or pot up for winter, that will give yourself time to dig over and remove the dreaded couch grass. Remember to look into your plants' roots in case some couch grass roots are embedded in them, then replant whenever with added BFB not manure pellets until summer.

[rowlandwells]

i set out a patch of strawberries about 2mt/3mt with a wooden frame round them the weeds came up with the strawberries had to keep pulling the weeds never ending i decided to continue the patch probably a bit longer as i had some more strawberry plants to set 
this time i am going to set plants in poly sheeting hopefully this will keep the weeds down but i to had the same problem on this patch with couch grass had a long and tedious job forking it out although its not all gone its greatly reduced  and i keep spraying it with roundup it is a real pain but i think i.me winning

[Christine]

My strawberry bed is full of couch

Snap

I have tried to get it out but just end up pulling out the strawberries as well.

Snap
Would it be OK to clear the whole bed and replant the strawberries, and if so wolud this be a good time to do so or would it be better done in the spring?
[/quote]
I did mine during September. I cleared out everything and put the strawberries in pots of compost for a week or so. I had a real good clearing of the beds, added a great amount of compost and then bonemeal for the roots. Then I replanted the best of the strawberries and added just a little fertiliser to give them a boost (bit late for that now though). I did it last year as well and with regular fertilising throughout the summer have had bumper crops. I just like to let them get their roots down over winter so that they are ready for go in spring rather than delaying them by working over just as the growing season starts.

I went onto my allotment end of February 2007 and the first year the strawberries were pants because they didn't get time to settle in.

[rubyrose]

hi having the same problem. In the process of moving allotments and the one i have just taken over 1/2 to 3/4 was covered in couch grass. i have spent hours carefully forking and removing white roots and fingers crossed have won. I have this week moved strawberry plants ( from this years runners) with a good rootball so hopeing  they settle in and produce next year.

[Weston grower]

If you buy strawb plants they will be sent to you around now. Got mine last year about now. I assume that this is because they are dormant now? Planted them out straight away and they did well. Decided to move them 6 weeks ago to a new spot and they have taken really well.

Before moving them I cut off all the old leaves leaving a small crown of new leaves.

Havent used any compost/manure/etc.

As for couch grass - just keep plugging away - you will get on top of it eventualy but it talkes a few goes.

[Jay The Digger]

Couch grass can be a real problem, and not just in the strawberry bed. 

To be thorough (and you will need to be) the best option is to take out the strawberry plants first.  Dig over, and work through each spadeful with your hands to make sure all of it is out.  Digging in well rotted compost is advisable to hold in any moisture.  If possible dig a trench (about a foot deep) all round then cover the whole bed with weed supprecent (the strong woven stuff, not the thin fabric type).  Backfill the trench so the barrier makes a shell over the top of the bed.  I then replanted my strawberries through small slits.

Couch grass spears it's way through the ground to spread, and containing any you have left behind weakens the plant.