[Janeymiddlewife]

1) Got dithane at the ready for my tomatoes (will be harvesting 2nd earlies Friday), but when do I spray? - every time I look out the window another rain shower is on the way!

2) What's the easiest thing (and cheapest/free) to peg down strawberry runners with - I'm letting some put out runners as it's their 2nd year

TIA 

[Elaine G]

The cheapest way to peg down strawberries is to make pegs out of metal coat hangers - the type you get free at the dry cleaners. son in law saves his for me when he gets his suits cleaned!
Good for pegging down netting too.
no idea about dithane, sorry!

Elaine

[sclarke624]

You can peg down strawbs with paperclips.

[DD.]

1 - When you think it's not going to rain for 4 hours! (Crystal ball is useful).

2 - I don't bother pegging down, I just let them root in the soil.

[Janeymiddlewife]

1 - When you think it's not going to rain for 4 hours! (Crystal ball is useful).

2 - I don't bother pegging down, I just let them root in the soil.

Thanks DD & others - re pegging down, mine are planted over weed membrane, so i have to cut new holes and plant through - bit of a faff, but seems to keep things neat!
I'll dust off the crystal ball - it's DS3 sports day this afternoon, so I predict the heavens will open between 1 & 3 

[Ivah]

Easier to peg them into 3" or 4" half pots with bits of bent wire then you can put new plants where ever you want - preferably in a fresh bed not alongside the old plants so you can rotate where they grow.

[AndyRVTR]

Staples... as in the hammering in kind... not the stationary shop.. 

[mikem]

I just use a stone to hold them down, I have plenty.  If you haven't got any I give you permission to come to my plot and take the big ones! 

[Sharonx]

I have wondered what to do about these runners as my plants are new in this year. One person told me to cut them off & another said to peg them down. So what shall it be?

[daisy1990]

I think you get the best strawberries in year 3 so I always pot up some runners so I have new stock every year (also helps in the rare event that you lose any plants or to give away as presents as they are ridiculously expensive to buy!)
Daisy

[Sharonx]

Thanks for that, will get some potted i think.