[jackieand glenn]

my second year in growing strawberries in the garden, i grew on runners from last year. lovely lot of fruit this year but is it the wet weather thats rotting the fruit does anyone no. they are netted against birds, ive put straw all round each plant so can only think its the wet weather. ive just picked my 4th bowl full of lunch, yum yum. such a waste when they rot. x

[LilacSandy]

I save my jam jars and pop them over the fruit, keeps them off the ground and keeps the wet off them, it also keeps them just that little bit warmer to help them ripen

[JayG]

Sure is frustrating, especially when what looks like the the perfect strawberry from the top turns out to be rotten underneath! 

Trouble is that straw can only hold so much water, and once saturated probably makes the problem even worse (I wonder whether anyone knows of a plastic substitute for straw which does the same job but dries out quicker...............?)

[jackieand glenn]

i am thinking for next year putting weed control plastic sheeting down, then cutting holes in for each plant, anyone tried that, would like to no before i go to all the hassle. the jam jars a very good idea, but ive got so many plants i really needed a quick fix, im now off to place jam jars for what i have left, thank you all, some very good ideas and helps a lot for beginners like myself x

[Goosegirl]

I save my jam jars and pop them over the fruit, keeps them off the ground and keeps the wet off them, it also keeps them just that little bit warmer to help them ripen

Would cut-off milk cartons work as well? How well do they keep the slugs and snails off?