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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 3, 2008 11:29:53 GMT
I wonder could anyone recommend anything other than straw to put under the strawberries to stop them rotting? I would'nt have any access to straw but wondered if torn up strips of newspaper might do? What do folks think?  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2008 11:39:52 GMT
Can't you use weed barrier fabric?
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Post by carolann on Jul 3, 2008 11:42:56 GMT
I think the newspaper would turn to mush, and that would rot the fruit, how about going to your local Pet Shop and getting a bag of Hay. I used Straw last year but its such a mess when it fly's around the veg plot. This year I'm using weed surpresser fabric and its seems to be helping keeping the S&S at bay so more Strawberries for me. ;D
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 3, 2008 11:43:22 GMT
I'm not sure DG thanks for getting back to me. :)I'm sure someone told me that black plastic put down rots the fruit where they touch it. Do you think the membrane stuff you're suggesting would do the trick?or would it be similar to the plastic and just rot the fruit? What do you think about paper? (cheap and available.)
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 3, 2008 11:45:48 GMT
You must have been typing the same time I was Carol, thanks for your reply. I know what you mean about the paper turning to mush, just realised when you said it, it's chucking it down at the moment. I would maybe be able to get to the pet shop and get some hay or the like, that's a great idea. When folk say straw I think of farms etc.... which I'm so far away from. Many thanks again for your suggestions.  |
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Post by carolann on Jul 3, 2008 11:48:58 GMT
Hi LadyN, the membrane fabric is great stuff, all my strawberries are lying on it and they are OK. Its very expensive, mine was left over from when we had our shed built and it found its way into my shed.  |
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Post by Chuckles on Jul 3, 2008 12:40:49 GMT
Like DG has said weed membrane sounds a possibilty to me, and if Carolann has had sucess with it then that would be good enough for me. It can be expensive though, but there must be cheaper versions about there usually is of most things even in Ireland It needs to be something that will let moisture drain through so the fruit don't sit in it, maybe you could prop the fruit up on small upturned pots like Shrub props her Squash up, sure I've seen she does that or suggested it for something |
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 3, 2008 12:48:16 GMT
Thank you all for your help and suggestions. ;D You are all so helpful. In meantime I might try Chuckles suggestion with the little pots. I'll have to suss out the price of the membrane stuff but I would'nt need very much of it anyhow so it would most likely be ok. The pet shop is not far from the garden centre so if I don't get that I'll get hay or straw there. Only thing is I never learned how to drive so will need a lift to get there, bus service there is useless.  |
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Post by Weeterrier on Jul 3, 2008 12:50:40 GMT
LNG, you may find that big outlets like B&Q sell the membrane by the meter.
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 3, 2008 13:01:22 GMT
Brilliant WT I would'nt need much more than that. ;D
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Post by Chuckles on Jul 3, 2008 13:11:43 GMT
Only thing is I never learned how to drive so will need a lift to get there, bus service there is useless. Same for me too LNG  and I always have far to many heavy bags if I'm not careful, rucsak on me back is the best I've come up with and you still have hands free for a couple of carrier bags too might even invest in one fo those lovely trollies on wheels one day Another thought I had was some of that stronger plastic you get for keeping birds off crops, maybe make a little raised frame of it up with some wire and canes to run along the edge of the plants. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2008 14:34:07 GMT
NB - for anybody growing strawberries in containers, why not stick a layer of sharp gravel on top of the soil to stop your strawberries from rotting? I plant three to a trough and this works quite well.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2008 14:36:49 GMT
Why not weed barrier fabric with pine mulch? |
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 3, 2008 16:51:24 GMT
Wow guys, thanks a lot for all the help here as always. My neighbour is going to kindly take me to B&Q tomorrow so I shall have a quick look to see if I can get any membrane. Will let you all know how I get on. I wonder if I can go there without buying a plant |
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Post by Chuckles on Jul 3, 2008 17:06:04 GMT
Wow guys, thanks a lot for all the help here as always. My neighbour is going to kindly take me to B&Q tomorrow so I shall have a quick look to see if I can get any membrane. Will let you all know how I get on. I wonder if I can go there without buying a plant I'll be disappointed if you come back empty handed LNG, like me you have to seize the opportunity of having a car boot to fill ;D ;D go girl go ;D Oh and don't forget to confess ;D |
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 3, 2008 17:20:06 GMT
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Post by Jardack on Jul 5, 2008 7:56:56 GMT
I got a pack of little collar like things for the strawberries and brassicas. Think they were in the garden centre if you can get to one of them....
Can look the name up if that helps?
Jardack
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 5, 2008 9:04:33 GMT
Thank you Jardack if it ever stops raining here today I will go outside and prop up what strawberries I can with little upturned pots.Or some kind of modification of that. I was at B&Q yesterday and  shock horror didd'nt buy anything. They did'nt sell the membrame by the mtr did'nt have any straw and their plants all looked half dead. They did have bedding pelagoniums half price but I've got my own anyhow. The only thing I bought in the plant dept was some miracle grow. I managed to spend £150 on some paper and paint 'tho  |
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Post by nightowl on Jul 5, 2008 13:43:16 GMT
Surely pet shops sell straw (as opposed to hay which is for eating really - straw should be much cheaper).
I've bought barley straw in my local GC, for clearing pond water.
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 5, 2008 14:06:52 GMT
Thanks N. O. I'm sure I could get it in the pet shop. Only trouble is our pet shops are in the industrial estate which has not got a good bus service. As it happens, my strawberries are raising their heads up very well above the foliage so for the time being some of them will be ok. I'll be better prepared next year. ;D
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Post by thecleaninglady on Jul 5, 2008 21:32:33 GMT
My local ASDA had membrane yesterday for £2.97
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 6, 2008 6:45:44 GMT
I wish I lived near an Asda TCL they do have some great bargins. |
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Post by nightowl on Jul 6, 2008 8:25:57 GMT
Just had a terrible thought LNG!!! DO NOT GET HAY BY MISTAKE!!  HAY is absorbent and will turn soggy - straw repels water (that's why they use it for thatching) And hay will drop squillions of grass and weed seeds on your strawberry plot!! |
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 6, 2008 8:58:16 GMT
no chance then of me getting hay. ;D Thanks for the warning NightOwl. My sisters2 year old granddaughter spilled the bird seed in the flowerbeds when they were up for my birthday and although I picked most of it up again there are dozens of little seedlings sprouting
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and I always have far to many heavy bags if I'm not careful, rucsak on me back is the best I've come up with and you still have hands free for a couple of carrier bags too 
shock horror didd'nt buy anything. They did'nt sell the membrame by the mtr did'nt have any straw and their plants all looked half dead. They did have bedding pelagoniums half price but I've got my own anyhow. The only thing I bought in the plant dept was some miracle grow. I managed to spend £150 on some paper and paint 'tho 
