Strawberry (Third Picking)

**Durgan** · 06-20-2011, 02:56 PM

20 June 2011 Strawberry third Picking 20 June 2011 Strawberry third Picking
This is the third strawberry picking from the small, 8 feet by 12 foot, patch. Total weight today was 4 pounds. The simple fiber glass screen netting is keeping the birds at bay. The screening is also relatively easy to work with. There were few berries damaged by birds.

**Michelle** · 06-20-2011, 05:26 PM

Awesome harvest

We had a bad year due to all the rain we had in May, I think

**Darlene** · 06-20-2011, 07:46 PM

You are killing me Durgan, go you! How are you preserving the ones you don't eat or give to good friends? Great vivid pics are having me very envious.

**SandNOceanGirl** · 06-20-2011, 09:04 PM

Nice looking strawberries once again! I need to be taking lessons from you!

**frugalfranny** · 06-21-2011, 01:04 AM

YUM......nice looking berries.

Hey Durgan..........I can't tell by the pic...........what do you have over your plants? Does it still allow bees in?

Please give ALL DETAILS.........I am really fighting the robins for mine!!

**frugalfranny** · 06-21-2011, 01:04 AM

YUM......nice looking berries.

Hey Durgan..........I can't tell by the pic...........what do you have over your plants? Does it still allow bees in?

Please give ALL DETAILS.........I am really fighting the robins for mine!!

**Durgan** · 06-21-2011, 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

YUM......nice looking berries.

Hey Durgan..........I can't tell by the pic...........what do you have over your plants? Does it still allow bees in?

Please give ALL DETAILS.........I am really fighting the robins for mine!!

The screening is fiber glass typical screen door or patio enclosure material. I bought a large roll which is 8 feet wide and maybe 100 feet long. I cut it for use. The material is relatively heavy and tends to stay in place. It is placed over the berries only after they start to ripen.

The mesh is very small so bees cannot readily access, but the screen is not completely covering the bushes so access is possible.

Robins are a disaster with bush fruits. A pair of robins can destroy much home garden fruit. Last year without a strawberry screen I got little fruit, also my cherries were completely destroyed.

All screening or netting material is difficult to use. This fiber glass material is the best that I have encountered. I tried crinoline from a fabric shop, but it is too light and not very strong. Typical garden nylon mesh is almost impossible to use without much framing effort.

**Daisygirl** · 06-21-2011, 06:40 AM

Durgan ~ So impressive! I love seeing your photos and reading about your garden. You keep me inspired by showing it can really be done on a lot in the city!

Question: How much time do you spend gardening? (okay, more than one question) Do you work outside the home as well as in that magnificent garden?

Thank you for the inspiration!

**VanVivCam** · 06-21-2011, 08:34 AM

Your pics are awesome! Wonderful looking crop you have there.

**Durgan** · 06-21-2011, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Daisygirl

Durgan ~ So impressive! I love seeing your photos and reading about your garden. You keep me inspired by showing it can really be done on a lot in the city!

Question: How much time do you spend gardening? (okay, more than one question) Do you work outside the home as well as in that magnificent garden?

Thank you for the inspiration!

I am retired. When I retired, I bought this property for something physical to do. I didn't want to become a couch potato.

The garden is my work. Actually I don't spend much time in the yard. I just sort of do what is necessary. There is just Ginny, dog, and me, so there is not much to do. Read, radio, walk, garden, photos, forums, sort of go with the flow. I plan on a lot of preserving this year as the fruits come into season. This is pressure juice canning in liter jars.

**frugalfranny** · 06-21-2011, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by Durgan

The screening is fiber glass typical screen door or patio enclosure material. I bought a large roll which is 8 feet wide and maybe 100 feet long. I cut it for use. The material is relatively heavy and tends to stay in place. It is placed over the berries only after they start to ripen.

The mesh is very small so bees cannot readily access, but the screen is not completely covering the bushes so access is possible.

Robins are a disaster with bush fruits. A pair of robins can destroy much home garden fruit. Last year without a strawberry screen I got little fruit, also my cherries were completely destroyed.

All screening or netting material is difficult to use. This fiber glass material is the best that I have encountered. I tried crinoline from a fabric shop, but it is too light and not very strong. Typical garden nylon mesh is almost impossible to use without much framing effort.

Thanks ---(and I don't know WHY the double post!!)

Gives me some things to consider but I will have to 'build' some cages for a few plants as I planted them sort of 'off and alone'!

Heading to Lowe's and a supply store today........