PREPARATION OF STRAWBERRY BEDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 33, 8 February 1940, Page 17

PREPARATION OF STRAWBERRY BEDS

Strawberries should be planted during March or April, and to ensure good results the ground should be worked up as soon as possible. The best soil is a good loam, easily worked, hut not too light, as it must be capable of holding moisture. The ground should be well dug and have as much humus incorporated as can cenveniently be worked in. This helps very largely to hold moisture as well as providing plant food. Stable manure is excellent if it can be obtained, but, failing that, give a dressing of bonedust or blood and bone, four to six ounces to the square yard. One important point is to have a clean bed to plant in, as weeding necessarily disturbs the roots, which are close to the surface. The less weeding required, therefore, the better. The sooner the plants are ?n after the beginning of March the better, as then they have a chance to get well rooted before the winter. Set the plants 12 inches apart in rows, allowing sufficient room between the rows for picking. Be careful to plant with the crown of the plants just at surface level. As the plants grow, all runners should be removed except a few required for making fresh plants. When grown commercially three years is considered long enough for beds to remain down, but under garden conditions they may be allowed to remain for several years, provided they are not allowed to become overcrowded.