STRAWBERRY BEDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21882, 18 August 1934, Page 12

STRAWBERRY BEDS

SUCCESSFUL PLANTING SMALLER AREA THIS YEAR MULCHING PREPARATIONS The increased sunshine in the last week has resulted in strong activity in strawberry bods, necessitating close attention by growers. Of the 2,500,000 plants f;et out in the growing areas near the city last May, the most important month for planting, the majority aro in excellent condition and aro of a superior quality to any planted in the last four years. Fewer have been planted this year than in 1933, when about 3,000.000 plants were set out, but it is stated that consumers can be confident of an adequate supply, owing to the very successful establishment of this year's planting.

The first fruit should be available in the second week of October, while tho peak crop will be ready just before Christmas. It is significant that although many new varieties have been introduced the Marguerite and Captain Cook strawberries are still favourites. Large numbers of plants are at present in cultivation at Northcote, Birkenhead, Birkdale, Mount Roskill, Avondale South, New Lynn and Henderson. Extensive areas of strawberries have been planted at Northcote and Mount Roskill, but activities at Now Lynn and Henderson have been increasing each year.

Strawberry beds are now being prepared for mulching, and it is a sign of tho times that growers have adopted a loss expensive method this year. It was formerly the practice to use wheaton straw from the South Island for this purpose, but the majority of Auckland growers are now using paspalum hay and pine needles.A largo number of plants has been sent to growers in Wanganui. Strawberries were formerly railed to the Wanganui district from Auckland, but efforts are being made there this year to grow tho berries locally.

In Auckland it is the practice for tho entire plantings to be renewed each year, while in southern areas plants are cropped for at least two seasons, the system being governed by climatic conditions.