| Strawberries | | | | [] Remove the runners that appear after fruiting, as |
| Strawberries are one of the easiest crops to grow, | | | | these will weaken your plants. If you want to |
| great for children and very rewarding. Plant them | | | | propagate your plants then pick one strong plant |
| now for great results for many years to come. | | | | each season and allow this to form runners that you |
| How to do it | | | | can pot up and grow on to extend your strawberry |
| Buy top quality plants and specially named varieties | | | | patch. |
| from a good garden centre or nursery or order mail | | | | [] When fruiting has finished in late summer, weed |
| order from a specialist supplier. Strawberries are | | | | around the plants thoroughly. Using sharp, clean |
| tolerant of most soil types but grow best in a | | | | secateurs remove all the old leaves, taking care not |
| sheltered spot away from the prevailing wind. Keep | | | | to damage the crown. Feed with a general, balanced |
| them clean by mulching under the plants with straw, | | | | fertiliser and keep the plants well watered. |
| or grow them in a dedicated strawberry pot. | | | | [] For organic fruit choose to grow your plants in an |
| Alternatively opt for a Strawberry Planter, like a | | | | organic planter, feed with an organic feed and deal |
| deep grow bag, that encourages a healthy root | | | | with pests and diseases without the use of chemicals. |
| system and supports a bumper crop of fruit, plus it | | | | Think how much they would cost to buy in the |
| looks great too. | | | | shops. |
| Buy cold stored runners from a specialist supplier or | | | | Eating |
| pot grown plants from the garden centre for planting | | | | If you can resist eating the fruit while you are out in |
| now. Order from a reputable supplier and plant them | | | | the garden, then experiment with them in the |
| as soon as possible for a small crop this summer. | | | | kitchen. A bowlful is easy to serve with cream, ice |
| Providing that you look after your plants, feed them | | | | cream or a splash of caster sugar. Be sure to serve |
| while flowering with a high potash feed and a general | | | | them at room temperature for their full aroma and |
| feed after fruiting, they should yield a small crop in | | | | flavour. For something a bit different, serve them |
| their first year. If the plants are weak or there is a | | | | with chopped basil. Or be daring and splash with |
| delay in planting them out then it is better to remove | | | | some quality balsamic vinegar. Divine. |
| the flowers and allow them to direct their energy | | | | If there are only a few fruits to start with don't |
| into establishing a healthy root system. Next year the | | | | waste them: A handful of ripe strawberries are a |
| crop will be bigger and better. | | | | fabulous addition, sliced and added to fresh garden |
| Tips | | | | salad. |