Single hen

[fluffyknickers]

I havent grown strawberries befoe but going to give it a go this year as its the only thing i can grow the kids will eat!

 

So i have ordered some plants and i have the patio strawberry plater thing (lakeland!) and wondered what is the best soil to fill it with and what extras (if any they should have) and how often to water etc.

 

It would be really great if they do grown and my children can come out and pick them off and eat them and help look after them.

 

michelle

[Christian]

I would use multi purpose compost with added home made compost as Strawberries are hungry plants. Many sure you water them well until they are established and also whilst fruiting. You may not get many strawberries in the first year, but the second and third year they do better.

 

At the end of the summer, they produce runners, with small plants at the end. I cut these off and pot them up for the following years planting. You should replace strawberry plants every 3 years I believe, but by using the runners, it won't cost you anything

 

I have just planted up a strawberry bed (see blog). The blackbirds are a nightmare here, so they are covered with mesh

[fluffyknickers]

Thanks Christian. I love your blog, wish I lived nearer you as would love to come to your hen party and see your garden (and chickens of course).

 

Thanks for the tips I will get some multi purpose - problem is I dont yet have any homemade compost . Could ask the neighbours if they can give me any (in return for eggs).

 

I am still waiting for my compost bin - one of the reduced council ones.

 

Should I give them any added feed?

 

I will probabaly have loads more questions when they actually arrive - sorry to be a pain!

 

Michelle

[Christian]

No problem Michelle

 

I feed mine with seaweed extract (like everything else) when they are flowering - once a week. You can plant spinach nearby as they are supposed to be good for each other. Perpetual spinach is best and the chickens love it

 

You are welcome to come any visit anytime

[Happy chickens!]

I've found them hard to keep well-watered in strawberry planters before, so I suggest you put a bit of tubing with holes in the sides into the planter to make it easier to water - or it all comes out the sides!! Old hosepipe, narrow drainpipe anything will do!

[Richard T]

And please buy peat-free compost if you can, because it's more eco-friendly. It doesn't involve the destruction of peat bogs and all that sort of thing.