[Flump]

Is it essential to put straw under my Strawberries or could I get away without it?

[Aunt Sally]

No it's not essential if you can find another way of keeping the berries out of the mud

[Trillium]

Many people don't bother as it's either too much work or they can't get the straw. But if it rains a lot, any berries touching direct ground will very quickly rot compared to ones sitting on a nest of straw off the ground.

[Flump]

ok,thanks.I suppose I haven't thought about it much as the plot is like concrete!

[Mr B]

Hi Flump,
  I grow mine through the black weed suppressent material, they do realy well and the fruit stay nice and clean.
Chris

[ex-cavator]

All of our strawberries are inherited from the previous lottie holder and on the part of the plot as yet untouched and completely overgrown with grass & annual weeds. I was thinking I needed to get some straw but I guess all this long grass is doing the business and I can just leave them be until after they've fruited? 

[viettaclark]

Watch out for slugs!!!!!!

[Irene]

If you have no access to straw or are on a budget, then I might suggest fine shreddings of newspaper.

While it won't have the lasting strength of a layer of straw you can reapply and it will provide some protection and can be added to the soil at the end of the season.

Very finely shredded cardboard will offer the same protection.

[Jamie Butterworth]

Will I just be able to use the same stuff I use for bedding for my rabbit? Or would grass clippings even do?

[NigelB]

Will I just be able to use the same stuff I use for bedding for my rabbit? Or would grass clippings even do?

The rabbit bedding will be perfect. Even grass clippings.
The advantage of straw though is that is does seem to discourage slugs somewhat, not completely, but some, as well as letting water drain past freely and keeping them out of the mud.

For my own Strawbs, I use the straw from the chicken coop snuggled up tight under the berries and up against the stems of the plant. They don't seem to mind a fair amount of fresh chicken-poop either, and it also means I don't have to feed them.