[finty22]

Hi,
Not even sure if its the right time of year for strawberry plants, but I got 4 plants today (2 of 2 different varieties each) and was wondering if anyone has some wisdom theyd like to pass on about the what the formation should be for planting these out ... I have a bed 4 foot by 12 foot available to me to get these in if that info helps?

Mel

[AnnieB]

Mel, I am not sure what the question is?
Would be useful if you knew what type he strawberries were. Some are perpetual and will fruit either all year or I think 60 days after planting.
Strawberry plants get to about 8ins across, so a 4x12ft bed will need other things to make use of it.
I would just put them along one edge as 2 plants of one variety and two of the other at 12-15 inch separation. Simply makes it easier to mark up which is which.
If big enough they may throw off runners, you can let these root and then transplant if you wish. If you plant them now they will establish themselves for next year, bit too late for this year.
Strawberries have a "life" of only a few years, they tend to get viruses of various sorts that slowly reduces their production. Eventually having to be replaced. Runners from the main plant will also carry any virus.
Fruits should not come in contact with the soil as they are eaten by many little creatures and will get several fungus's as well that will rot the fruit.

[finty22]

Hi,

thanks for the info I have 2 rhapsody and 2 honeoye and you have answered the question about how they should be planted ... wasnt sure whether to just plant them as a clump or not ... but now I know

Thanks very much

Mel

[SG6]

Usually planted in a row, with the strawberries fruits on either side.
I pass a fruit farm on the way to work and they grow theirs on elevated stands about 4 foot off of the ground. Suppose that it stops slugs (Can the little bleeders fly?). Makes it easy to pick and look after.

Honeye is a US variety that is early mid-summer cropping. Basically early June - late June
Not sure about Rhapsody, cannot see anything about it.

[bluealf]

I would keep the raised bed at the size you stated and in time with all the runners you get it will soon fill with a load of yummy strawbs.

Maybe next year you can get some later fruiting variety and then you can have them for a lot longer season.

They do deteriate after 3-5 years so continually rotating older plants with new/runners means you need a reasonable space to work in and around.

Good luck

alan

[Trillium]

"Strawberries have a "life" of only a few years, they tend to get viruses of various sorts that slowly reduces their production. Eventually having to be replaced. Runners from the main plant will also carry any virus.
Fruits should not come in contact with the soil as they are eaten by many little creatures and will get several fungus's as well that will rot the fruit."

I'm curious as to where this information was found/learned?
Strawberries are a short term perennial, 3 years is their maximum lifespan for fruit production. Nothing to do with viruses, fungi or critters. The first year plant may or may not fruit as it is newly developed. The 2nd year of that plant is the main production time and runners are sent out. The 3rd year is a reduced production with more runners sent out before the parent plant basically bites the dust. The reason the plant sends out runners is that strawberries are shallow rooted feeders and by their 2nd year, the plant has depleted most available nutrition in that spot, so fruit production decreases so new runners can be sent out into new 'food zones' to continue the lifespan. By year 3, the aging parent plant has exhausted it's food supply and life and will die off. Despite our attempts at side feeding, we cannot stop this cycle.
Viruses will sometimes destroy strawberry plants, but strawberries are very tough plants, sometimes leafing out early in snow, so its not common to find infected plants. Pests, yes, but rarely viruses.
As for fruit rotting, yes, touching the soil can rot the berries but usually because the soil is damp which transfers fungus to the berries. More often, lots of rainfall will swell the berries making them softer and more readily prone to fungal attacks and faster rotting.

[Mitsy]

This is my 4th year off my plants and its the best crop I've had yet!   

[BrianK]

You could sow them down the middle of the bed and then sow cream plants around the outside...

 

[peapod]

You could sow them down the middle of the bed and then sow cream plants around the outside...

 

A ready made meal at the plot! Im liking it