[chipmunk]

We've inherited an allotment with a strawberry patch which has outgrown its borders and is full of weeds (looks like they are growing on a lawn!). Any suggestions of what to do? I know from the previous tenant that they were planted spring 2006. The patch is so weedy, I was thinking of digging up the plants, weeding and digging over the patch and then re-planting. Would this be ok or is there a better option? Never grown strawberries so don't know how hardy they are!

Thanks,

Hannah

[gobs]

I personally would put an end to that bed. Prepare a well manured place somewhere else for them and replant the strongest, healthiest looking ones and rage war on the rest of place. :twisted:

[richyrich7]

Me too Gobs, rescue the strawbs and nuke the rest  

[Nikkithefoot]

Me three!!

Save the best plants, put in a really well prepared bed and see what happens.

Strawberry plants should be replaced every 2-5 years ish, depending on what you read or who you talk to, or how well they are looked after.

I usually replace once cropping starts to fall off a bit, ie not picking every day at the height of the season, or not getting enuff at one picking to feed the tribe.

Nikki

[compostqueen]

If they've been there for years I'd get some new plants from your local garden centre or fellow plotters usually have spares

[noshed]

I had exactly the same problem and I just dug the whole lot up, weeded and dug the bed and put the best ones back. last summer I had the most beautiful strawberries until late autumn.

[chipmunk]

Thanks! Will dig up and move - have some manure so will make a fresh bed! If they don't perform well this summer, then will replace.

Hannah