Strawberry Patch

**Durgan** · 06-13-2011, 01:38 PM

13 June 2011 Strawberry Patch 13 June 2011 Strawberry Patch

The first strawberries were picked about 4.5 pounds from an area of 8 by 12 feet. There are two types intermixed, ever bearing and June bearing. A screen is thrown over the area to protect the berries from bird damage. Usually Robins are the main predators. The ground is mulched with wood chips to keep the berries from dirt and to maintain moisture.

**mommy2krj** · 06-13-2011, 02:04 PM

That is lovely!

I have plans for doing a strawberry patch of my own and what I had in my head looks pretty much exactly like you have yours!

I love strawberries!!! Mmmmm....

**frugalfranny** · 06-13-2011, 03:13 PM

Nice looking berries...........

I will need to get some of that screen........REAL SOON!

**Durgan** · 06-13-2011, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

Nice looking berries...........

I will need to get some of that screen........REAL SOON!

Last year most of the strawberries were destroyed by the Robins, so I got a large roll of 8 feet wide screen for use this year. It is not quite wide enough to cover completely, but seems to be easy to use, and it is simply laid over the plants.

I will also wrap some screening around the Bing Cherry tree, since the Robins destroyed most of my cherries last year. I might prevent the damage this year.

The screen material is fiber glass, so is quite strong. Mind you it is not cheap relative to other types of netting, but I plan on keeping it from year to year.

**SandNOceanGirl** · 06-13-2011, 06:47 PM

Those are some great looking strawberries. What variety did you plant?

**Durgan** · 06-13-2011, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by SandNOceanGirl

Those are some great looking strawberries. What variety did you plant?

No name, just June Bearing and Ever Bearing.

**KeithBC** · 06-13-2011, 11:59 PM

I second the mulching idea. We use straw mulch, and the berries really seem to like it. The weeds are fewer and wimpier - easier to remove. The mulch composts down at the bottom layer, and we just add new on top every year.

I built a berry house over our strawberry beds. I used 8-foot posts buried about 18", making the ceiling 6 and a half feet high. The framing is all cedar 2x2. Over the whole room, I draped a large garden net (available from Lee Valley). It is way more convenient because you are not constantly covering and uncovering the beds. Weeding and picking are much more easier. Before I built it, I ran an underground water line there, so there is irrigation water available inside. That means there is no hassle getting the hose inside. I have soaker hoses in each bed, under the top layer of mulch.

**monkeywrangler71** · 06-14-2011, 07:47 AM

I'm just wondering how old your patch is, and how many plants you started with. I know they send out runners, but not sure how many or how quickly. I would like to build a strawberry patch but don't know how many plants I would need.

**KeithBC** · 06-14-2011, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

I'm just wondering how old your patch is, and how many plants you started with. I know they send out runners, but not sure how many or how quickly. I would like to build a strawberry patch but don't know how many plants I would need.

One of our three beds is more than six years old. That's how long we have had the place. The other two beds are just six years old. We started out those beds with six ever-bearing plants each, but we also transplanted escapees from the original June-bearing bed. The June-bearing plants have pretty much taken over, and are the best producers.

Every spring, we thin out the beds, removing old plants while we weed, and cutting the runners. I don't worry if there are a few casualties while I am weeding. That keeps the plants from becoming too dense,and makes room for summer growth. By the second summer, all the beds were full.

**Durgan** · 06-16-2011, 02:55 PM

16 June 2011 Second Strawberry Picking 16 June 2011 Second Strawberry Picking

This is the second strawberry picking from the small 8 feet by 12 foot patch. Total weight was six pounds. The simple screen netting is keeping the birds at bay. The screening is also relatively easy to work with. There was only about eight berries damaged by birds. It is going to rain tonight and the weather is hot with some Sun, so in a few days there should be another chance to pick some more berries.