[Allotment Al]

being relatively new to having an allotment i would like some advise . Strawberrys ? . In a bed measuring say 6ft long by 3ft wide , how many strawberry plants would be recomended in such a size bed . any help gratefully accepted .

[Trillium]

Can't give you an exact count, but what's always worked for me is to space them lengthwise by a handtrowel length, and crosswise by 2 handtrowel lengths. This allows good growing space as well as some room for future runners to spread and also picking/walking space.

[SUTTY1]

I'D just go for 1ft either way since the bed is only narrow

[finleyfreyaseth]

im also new to allotment we had strawberry plants at home in tubs but now ive got allotment i want plant them and there runners ive taken in a bed on my plot,question is do i cover top we matting then cut in holes to plant if so can i cover with tree bark on the matting after as its blue builders sacks ill use as a matting

[swaine]

What does everyone think about using a matting on a strawberry plot?

I used one that allowed the rain to soak through but suppressed the weeds.

The first year I had a good crop and no slugs.

I left the matting on the bed over the winter.

The second year the slugs had a field day. They seemed to hide below the matting and just come out to feed.

Anyone else have similar problems with matting?

[Janeymiddlewife]

I used matting for 2 years, then it got tatty so i ripped it up. Can't say I've had too much problem with slugs, but I do use pellets with and without the matting. Now the weeds (sigh) they're something else this year, but as the strawbs are into a 2nd flush I'm not going to disturb them too much at the mo, however it was easier to pick with the matting, but a pain to deal with runners as I had to cut fresh holes for them

[Ricey]

Im no strawberry expert but someone told me to use straw around them.... Dunno how good that advice is, maybe someone else could enlighten us to any pitfalls with using straw.

[gavinjconway]

Barley straw is best... Wheat straw goes mouldy very quickly..