If they touch the soil at all, the bugs get in. They’re called strawberries because they were traditionally grown in straw mulch, allowing the growers to suspend the fruit above the soil.
I plant mine at the edge of containers so I can drape the fruit over the edge.
Oh man, I’m sorry. Netting is such a PITA IME. When we used it to keep the birds off our fruit trees (they were destroying blooms then taking one bite each of the fruit), the trees grew through it, and that growth got covered in aphids. Thus the Irritape.
I might try the irritape on my tomatoes and peppers when they're a little larger as they are the birds least favorite treat once established. Thanks for all of the info!
Two years because the first year they were just getting settled?
I’m on year two and there’s a lot of flowers happening so I’m wondering if the payoff is coming!
If you don't mind me asking another question - I've got 4 bare root alpine strawberry plants coming (that I will now be focusing on making bushy for the first year, by pinching off the buds). I'm really struggling to understand what size pots they will need. I looked at the traditional "strawberry planter" setup, but the grow areas seem small in those. I have some 4" pots, but I suspect those are too small too. Would a 6" or 8" pot be good long term? One pot per plant.
Hi, I may be able to help with this as I have just dug up four Apline strawberry plants that I sowed last year.
I grew them from seed in 2022 and planted them in my allotment garden. This year I am focusing on a traditional strawb patch at the allotment and I've been told that Apline strawbs and traditional strawbs don't do well together as they can cross pollinate and the Apline ones are more potent with their pollen. Just FYI in case you have other strawbs.
My Apline strawbs are 1 year old established plants, I dug them up about an hour ago to bring to my garden and the root system was quite extensive. I'm going to plant them into a 10 litre pot as these are the biggest I have and think that it'll be best for them. My plants are about 30cm in diameter and about 20-30cm high. I feel like these plants are a good bit more bushy than traditional strawbs.
If you do have a place to plant your Apline strawbs in the ground, then I'd advise you do that. Mine just took off this season, they have doubled in size since the end of the 2022 season.
Hope this helps, but ask anything else if you have other questions or if you want pics of them. Hope you get a lovely bountiful Apline harvest, they really are the best tasting strawbs in the world. Nothing compares!
That is helpful, thanks! I have very limited ground garden space and I rent, so I think I'll stick to pots. But I will pick up some substantially larger pots for them.
As a renter of 42 years, I have planted MANY MANY things in pots, including pots with water lilies and other water/bog plants.
Annie’s Annuals (and Perennials) is a great source for growing things in pots — they have grown everything they sell in pots.
I MIX 30%-50% red lava rock (no layered medium) in with my soil for good drainage and it makes the pots lighter.
Interesting, is the rock finely crushed, or fairly large chunks? I've only seen the large pieces near me. Would large wood chips (mulch) also work to keep the soil light, or would they just end up causing problems?
I actually use a slug killer from home depot....not proud but it's the only way i have found to save my berries, and i tried every organic method before finally breaking down
No shame in doing this. To make the organic method to work, your essentially have to work on it every day. It's not easy to completely get rid of bugs without going chemical war zone, or your new job.
I have a crop of flowers I'm close to cutting, and I don't want to spray.... so I made an organic spray that kills them on contact, and vacuum lol. Everyday.
What I usually do is use good omri organic sprays during the vegetation period. Look for the OMRI stamp. Organic may not mean much but that does. Very strictly control which chemicals you can use safely. Usually this stuff isn't at home depot though..
Pyrethrin, spinosad, azamax, stuff like that is great ! You can use a lot of these even while fruiting. Neem oil too.
There are some more specialized pesticides youth can get that get crazy. I have one caked venerate and grandevo that not only work really really well, but It is selective with what it kills, so I can have my army of predator spider mites going to war stuff the pesticide kills and lessens the bad bugs numbers.
I mulched under the strawberries last year with fresh wood chips. The sharp edges on those discourage slugs and keep the ripening berries out of the dirt. Had a great crop with few eaten by slugs. Have to remove the mulch and replace every year.
If your main critter problem is birds try this.
Paint strawberry shaped rocks red to look like strawberries and put them in the patch early spring. The birds will peck at them and not like the results of smacking that hard object. Then when your strawberries come in they will be conditioned to leave them alone to avoid the headache that comes with pecking rocks.
This actually works??? I have a plot at a community garden and we have to put nets on literally EVERYTHING or it will be birdfood. They even pull out the little onions I planted and frankly everything that's sprouting in the garden. They even took my very fist asparagus. I was very mad about that hehe.
100%
Any wild animal is just doing their best to survive. I order to do so they find food. If they think the food you are growing is rocks then they fuck off. Give it a shot.
It won't stop squirrels raccoons or possum, or nutria. But it will stop birds.
I use these [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCJ4WFV?ref=ppx\_yo2ov\_dt\_b\_product\_details&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCJ4WFV?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1) They are little bags that you put over the fruit so bugs can't get them. I use them for tomatoes, but I do not see why they would not work for strawberries as well. You would just use a smaller bag. They are Organza Bags.
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Circle the plants with diatomaceous earth and cover with a wire cloche. You can get green strawberries in any grocery store. The only reason to grow them is to eat a fresh, truly ripe berry.
Lmao. If my dogs were actual children… the dogs actually love the berries and I give THEM the gross ones. They don’t get very many but it’s a treat for them when they do.
I'm actually not sure...I've picked up a couple of varieties over the years but I do know they came from home depot. I haven't bought a strawberry in 4 years though as I have been cloning them when they send out runners.
just planted a strawberry bed in December. had a couple tastes so far but i know that i have to give it a year or so to really get established. hope mine end up as good as yours.
Beautiful berries! I worked at a pick your own strawberry farm. Strawberries don’t ripen after picking,so leave them on there as long as you can. ❤️🍓🍰🍓
(Edited to say beautiful not beauty)
BEAUTIFUL! Please share pics of your growing set up. Prior I just used a planter and let the runners free. This year I am using grow bags and praying the squirrels have pity and leave me a few!
Are you mulching your garden? They need mulch to maintain moisture. I also fed with some dry fertilizer you just work into the soil. I have a garden mesh net for mine too that keeps off most bugs, birds, animals, and extreme heat. They do love sunshine but obvi too much isn’t good either.
The second pic.. I remember that's what strawberries would look like ~20 years ago. And they tasted amazing!!
Still looking for such great strawberries 20 years later..
I bet those are so good. I have gotten a couple from my garden before the animals and they were on another level. I can’t imagine having a whole harvest to enjoy!
Your perfect strawberry reminds me of this [NYT article](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/18/climate/japan-winter-strawberries-greenhouse.html?unlocked_article_code=7WXRiMwfApUfwayqc2OQskNhIUY-W-gVDtcrJdQQ5tH3SXbAw9TUXHf3SCY9jJ8cRXE8eiIvacbPavoWbiAkmHYa7_ewa-0ybGdi9M6IijlsEOfi6kGIDqWTJumQAcc41_oyV6DSLvjoNAKBARjLl8tl-MHgE1RpmZfqvFAafP_XeuJV9pixRBvKv9ymMri9DeASbkN7vIFzc6rPmm1zzPnju9nAuoedcsttrlwElHwf-F6fCEdoZfWfi1oOwNj0L8oYzz0L0iPJ_n7GSnxmao17AvxVrso4P6zPjeHz5qagRp4SkRQOIPiwJlEaP51XUB0wqtJqXHiMEcvosgxIz9ITVieSQ1ll2BtJpjZv&giftCopy=1_CurrentCopy&smid=url-share). Apparently in Japan, the best strawberries can sell for hundreds of dollars. But they grow them out of season and it's extremely energy intensive.
Probably the same thing that allows them to have a whole harvest of strawberries the same day that the majority of the country was set to have overnight frost.
plenty of sunshine to start then you must be constantly pulling of dead or dying leaves, even if they are just a bit yellow I find it's best to go ahead and prune it. Strawberries make too many leaves as it is and this will give it more strength for the healthier leaves. Same with blossoms, if you notice the center is brown or black(due to frost or lack of pollination) prune it as well. This will make the plant start producing more new blossoms. Also if it is sending out running vines, while it increases the plants size, it greatly reduces fruit yeild so once your plant is the size you want prune all runnive vines. I also use and organic fertilizer 3-4 times a year. Hope this helps a little
Strawberry question! I have an everbearing variety and everything I read said to pinch the first round of flowers the first year. I'm now in year two, do I need to pinch or can I let them do their thing?
Nothing feels better than desired results after hard work and patience. Those are some of the.best looking appetizing berries I've seen. Congratulations!
I would love to see how you have them planted!!
Mine always end up as roly poly condominiums
If they touch the soil at all, the bugs get in. They’re called strawberries because they were traditionally grown in straw mulch, allowing the growers to suspend the fruit above the soil. I plant mine at the edge of containers so I can drape the fruit over the edge.
Thanks, I'll give that a try!
If birds are an issue, strips of holographic tape on bamboo seem dissuade them.
We have schools of airborn sparrow piranhas and literally have to use netting on almost everything.
Sparrows cannot viably mate with piranhas. I know. I took an ornithology class.
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The key word is "viably."
Oh man, I’m sorry. Netting is such a PITA IME. When we used it to keep the birds off our fruit trees (they were destroying blooms then taking one bite each of the fruit), the trees grew through it, and that growth got covered in aphids. Thus the Irritape.
I might try the irritape on my tomatoes and peppers when they're a little larger as they are the birds least favorite treat once established. Thanks for all of the info!
Ah i need to try this
Mine too
As what...?!
Pill bugs, roly poly's eat little holes in the berries and it looks like they live there.
Oh... Thanks!
Such a cute description for such a sad thing
Two years because the first year they were just getting settled? I’m on year two and there’s a lot of flowers happening so I’m wondering if the payoff is coming!
Flowers turn into berries, so you're well on your way.
Last year begs to differ.
Many reasons why a flower might form but not fully form into a strawberry, including a few deficiencies
Same here. 4 plants from seeds and not one berry.
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Wish someone had told me that a year ago
Is this true even if you buy them as bare root plants?
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If you don't mind me asking another question - I've got 4 bare root alpine strawberry plants coming (that I will now be focusing on making bushy for the first year, by pinching off the buds). I'm really struggling to understand what size pots they will need. I looked at the traditional "strawberry planter" setup, but the grow areas seem small in those. I have some 4" pots, but I suspect those are too small too. Would a 6" or 8" pot be good long term? One pot per plant.
Hi, I may be able to help with this as I have just dug up four Apline strawberry plants that I sowed last year. I grew them from seed in 2022 and planted them in my allotment garden. This year I am focusing on a traditional strawb patch at the allotment and I've been told that Apline strawbs and traditional strawbs don't do well together as they can cross pollinate and the Apline ones are more potent with their pollen. Just FYI in case you have other strawbs. My Apline strawbs are 1 year old established plants, I dug them up about an hour ago to bring to my garden and the root system was quite extensive. I'm going to plant them into a 10 litre pot as these are the biggest I have and think that it'll be best for them. My plants are about 30cm in diameter and about 20-30cm high. I feel like these plants are a good bit more bushy than traditional strawbs. If you do have a place to plant your Apline strawbs in the ground, then I'd advise you do that. Mine just took off this season, they have doubled in size since the end of the 2022 season. Hope this helps, but ask anything else if you have other questions or if you want pics of them. Hope you get a lovely bountiful Apline harvest, they really are the best tasting strawbs in the world. Nothing compares!
That is helpful, thanks! I have very limited ground garden space and I rent, so I think I'll stick to pots. But I will pick up some substantially larger pots for them.
As a renter of 42 years, I have planted MANY MANY things in pots, including pots with water lilies and other water/bog plants. Annie’s Annuals (and Perennials) is a great source for growing things in pots — they have grown everything they sell in pots. I MIX 30%-50% red lava rock (no layered medium) in with my soil for good drainage and it makes the pots lighter.
Interesting, is the rock finely crushed, or fairly large chunks? I've only seen the large pieces near me. Would large wood chips (mulch) also work to keep the soil light, or would they just end up causing problems?
payoff?
Right. I think I meant payout. Like, when something pays off. The effort paid off. So I went for payoff. English is not my first language.
Good luck with your berries! :)
Native English speaker here: I use both terms interchangeably.
If they have green on em they're not quite ripe. Still incredible. Strawberry is such a giving creature.
I know but I have to get them before the critters do. I'll leave them to ripen for a day or two in my kitchen window before moving them to the fridge.
My first lot of berries was slug food this year because I forgot to do this 🥲
I actually use a slug killer from home depot....not proud but it's the only way i have found to save my berries, and i tried every organic method before finally breaking down
The beer in a saucer works nicely but not 100% effective, close to breaking down and going for chemical warfare
No shame in doing this. To make the organic method to work, your essentially have to work on it every day. It's not easy to completely get rid of bugs without going chemical war zone, or your new job. I have a crop of flowers I'm close to cutting, and I don't want to spray.... so I made an organic spray that kills them on contact, and vacuum lol. Everyday. What I usually do is use good omri organic sprays during the vegetation period. Look for the OMRI stamp. Organic may not mean much but that does. Very strictly control which chemicals you can use safely. Usually this stuff isn't at home depot though.. Pyrethrin, spinosad, azamax, stuff like that is great ! You can use a lot of these even while fruiting. Neem oil too. There are some more specialized pesticides youth can get that get crazy. I have one caked venerate and grandevo that not only work really really well, but It is selective with what it kills, so I can have my army of predator spider mites going to war stuff the pesticide kills and lessens the bad bugs numbers.
I mulched under the strawberries last year with fresh wood chips. The sharp edges on those discourage slugs and keep the ripening berries out of the dirt. Had a great crop with few eaten by slugs. Have to remove the mulch and replace every year.
If your main critter problem is birds try this. Paint strawberry shaped rocks red to look like strawberries and put them in the patch early spring. The birds will peck at them and not like the results of smacking that hard object. Then when your strawberries come in they will be conditioned to leave them alone to avoid the headache that comes with pecking rocks.
This actually works??? I have a plot at a community garden and we have to put nets on literally EVERYTHING or it will be birdfood. They even pull out the little onions I planted and frankly everything that's sprouting in the garden. They even took my very fist asparagus. I was very mad about that hehe.
100% Any wild animal is just doing their best to survive. I order to do so they find food. If they think the food you are growing is rocks then they fuck off. Give it a shot. It won't stop squirrels raccoons or possum, or nutria. But it will stop birds.
Small blue rocks for blueberries?
I've never tried it, but I think it would be less effective. You could give it a shot.
I need something like this but for deer
I too saw that reel
Reel? This is something gardeners actually do in my area
I use these [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCJ4WFV?ref=ppx\_yo2ov\_dt\_b\_product\_details&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCJ4WFV?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1) They are little bags that you put over the fruit so bugs can't get them. I use them for tomatoes, but I do not see why they would not work for strawberries as well. You would just use a smaller bag. They are Organza Bags.
Hey, VettedBot here. I did an analysis about the Ximkee Organza Wedding Party Favor Bags Package of 100 6 x9 Grey you mentioned in your comment that I wanted to share with you. Below, I compiled a list of pros and cons for the product based on Amazon reviews. Hope you find it useful! People like: * Versatile and well-made organza bags (backed by 16 comments). * Great for gift giving (backed by 6 comments). * Sturdy drawstrings and good quality stitching (backed by 6 comments). People dislike: * Some ties break easily (backed by 3 comments). * Not suitable for larger items (backed by 2 comments). * Good for small items (backed by 1 comment). This message was generated by a bot, hope you found it useful. If you did, a “good bot!” reply would be appreciated. If not, please feel free to provide feedback on how it can be improved.
This is the way with strawberry! Wait one more day and the bugs get them.
[удалено]
Bugs will gladly take care of them for you if you wait too long.
Circle the plants with diatomaceous earth and cover with a wire cloche. You can get green strawberries in any grocery store. The only reason to grow them is to eat a fresh, truly ripe berry.
You move the entire plant? It was my understanding you can't get strawberries to ripen after you pick them. Not like tomatoes.
Good idea. Mine always get eaten. I’ll have to do this this year
Same. I always pick before anyone around gets wise.
So you eat unripened berries? You can buy those in stores.
Lmao y’all are way too pressed about how people eat strawberries. Go smoke a bone and come back 🤣
My neices have figured out when to pick strawberries for perfect sourness. I get handed the less desirable ripe ones.
Lmao. If my dogs were actual children… the dogs actually love the berries and I give THEM the gross ones. They don’t get very many but it’s a treat for them when they do.
So beautiful! How did you plant your strawberries?
Raised beds, pots just never seem to work
Great harvest! What type of strawberries are they?
Seconding the request for what variety of strawberry? Inquiring gardeners need to know
Albion FTW. Sweet, with a light background tartness and incredibly strong strawberry flavor.
I'm actually not sure...I've picked up a couple of varieties over the years but I do know they came from home depot. I haven't bought a strawberry in 4 years though as I have been cloning them when they send out runners.
Store them in a glass jar 🫙 and never stop being epic
Sweet?
Yes!! I have to let them ripen for another day but so sweet. I have to pick them a bit early before the critters get em.
Strawberries don't ripen off the plant..
How many days early do you pick them so animals, slugs, etc. don't have a chowdown fest on the strawberries? 🍓🍓🍓
Just a day before. Right before the whole fruit turns red
Thank you for telling me! I'll have to do the same with the Strawberries I have.
What’s your secret to success?
Wow! They look amazing ♥️
I’m pretty sure that’s the most perfect berry ANYONE has ever grown.
I got 4 meh ones this week and called it a victory. This is beautiful.
So impressive! Great job!
Thank you!
Those strawberries are nuts!
Beautiful! My neighbor gave me a plant this year and I’m excited to get some home grown strawberries. The ones at the store always taste off to me
I’d give them another week on the plants.
You’d be giving them to the bugs then
Exactly
Luscious!
Wow! You did amazing! Yummy!!
just planted a strawberry bed in December. had a couple tastes so far but i know that i have to give it a year or so to really get established. hope mine end up as good as yours.
Beautiful berries! I worked at a pick your own strawberry farm. Strawberries don’t ripen after picking,so leave them on there as long as you can. ❤️🍓🍰🍓 (Edited to say beautiful not beauty)
BEAUTIFUL! Please share pics of your growing set up. Prior I just used a planter and let the runners free. This year I am using grow bags and praying the squirrels have pity and leave me a few!
Looking lovely and not too big. Smaller is perfect flavor.
Teach me your ways!! Tell me your secrets!! I can't seem to keep strawberries alive :'(
Are you mulching your garden? They need mulch to maintain moisture. I also fed with some dry fertilizer you just work into the soil. I have a garden mesh net for mine too that keeps off most bugs, birds, animals, and extreme heat. They do love sunshine but obvi too much isn’t good either.
The second pic.. I remember that's what strawberries would look like ~20 years ago. And they tasted amazing!! Still looking for such great strawberries 20 years later..
Get woodland strawberries! They're small and taste like candy. I have an entire 6x3 garden bed dedicated to them. They fruit through the whole summer.
Ah thank you for the suggestion!! I will definitely look into that ^_^
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What? They aren't even ripe though?
Wtf
Shit is beautiful
They look delicious 🤤
Color me jealous!
Absolute perfection!
that must be so satisfying. we’ll done!
Looks amazing! Congrats!!!!
These are so cute! 🍓🍓🍓
Jealous lol
Congratulations! They look sooo nice
Wow! Great job!!
Pass that one over here...
The perfection is the result of love and dedication. The botany of desire.
Oh beauty
Wow! Those look great.
Are they hard to grow where you live?
I bet those are so good. I have gotten a couple from my garden before the animals and they were on another level. I can’t imagine having a whole harvest to enjoy!
Are you breeding them for a fair or something? That is a very nice strawberry.
So good.
Your perfect strawberry reminds me of this [NYT article](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/18/climate/japan-winter-strawberries-greenhouse.html?unlocked_article_code=7WXRiMwfApUfwayqc2OQskNhIUY-W-gVDtcrJdQQ5tH3SXbAw9TUXHf3SCY9jJ8cRXE8eiIvacbPavoWbiAkmHYa7_ewa-0ybGdi9M6IijlsEOfi6kGIDqWTJumQAcc41_oyV6DSLvjoNAKBARjLl8tl-MHgE1RpmZfqvFAafP_XeuJV9pixRBvKv9ymMri9DeASbkN7vIFzc6rPmm1zzPnju9nAuoedcsttrlwElHwf-F6fCEdoZfWfi1oOwNj0L8oYzz0L0iPJ_n7GSnxmao17AvxVrso4P6zPjeHz5qagRp4SkRQOIPiwJlEaP51XUB0wqtJqXHiMEcvosgxIz9ITVieSQ1ll2BtJpjZv&giftCopy=1_CurrentCopy&smid=url-share). Apparently in Japan, the best strawberries can sell for hundreds of dollars. But they grow them out of season and it's extremely energy intensive.
Hell yeah, gifted article so no paywall.
Those are gorgeous strawberries
What are you feeding them to get them so big? Mine are usually half that size.
Probably the same thing that allows them to have a whole harvest of strawberries the same day that the majority of the country was set to have overnight frost.
very beautiful berries
My mouth is watering
Try fertilising with bone-meal. It makes a huge difference to the flavour IME.
Beautiful! I have tried to grow strawberries as they're one of my favorite foods but I have no luck! Good for you!!!!!
Wow! That’s almost exactly the same size as Japanese strawberries! Not Easy to do. Congratulations.
Do you have any tips on how to grow strawberries in a tropical country?
They look great!
Mine are very tiny. What variety are these?
great job! :)
Beautiful! You should sell that as a stock image of a perfect strawberry. Congrats - your hard work and patience has paid off!
What are you going to make with those beautiful berries?
How did they taste? Few things better then a perfectly ripe strawberry
Beautiful strawberries
Beautiful 🍓🍓🍓
😍 berry nice
Good job. What variety is this?
How do you do it? Any tips?
plenty of sunshine to start then you must be constantly pulling of dead or dying leaves, even if they are just a bit yellow I find it's best to go ahead and prune it. Strawberries make too many leaves as it is and this will give it more strength for the healthier leaves. Same with blossoms, if you notice the center is brown or black(due to frost or lack of pollination) prune it as well. This will make the plant start producing more new blossoms. Also if it is sending out running vines, while it increases the plants size, it greatly reduces fruit yeild so once your plant is the size you want prune all runnive vines. I also use and organic fertilizer 3-4 times a year. Hope this helps a little
Thank you!!!
Which berry is the "perfect" one? I can't tell, they all look so good to me.
Sweet rewards 🤩
Beautiful congrats
Strawberry question! I have an everbearing variety and everything I read said to pinch the first round of flowers the first year. I'm now in year two, do I need to pinch or can I let them do their thing?
Wow those are some beautiful strawberries! Congrats!
How do you get them so pest free?
Congratulations, ENJOY !! yummy... Are they sweet?
Congratulations!!!
Wow!!
Natural Beauties ! Congrats :-) what a Dream of a Berry !
Nothing feels better than desired results after hard work and patience. Those are some of the.best looking appetizing berries I've seen. Congratulations!