When redesigning the vegetable garden I decided to dedicate one 4’x6′ bed solely to the cultivation of scrumptious strawberries. Since they are perennials this bed is no longer in any kind of rotation with the other beds but it was necessary, at least for now. The strawberries began blooming this weekend which really isn’t the greatest of times to start since a cold snap is on top of us. I’ll cover the bed with a sheet propped up with bamboo stakes for now to keep the blooms from getting frosted.
Early spring time is not a good time to fertilize strawberries. It’s counter intuitive when you tend to fertilize most things this time of year but you really need to fertilize after they have produced fruit. This will send out new green growth to form new plants via runners that can be separated from the mother plant and grown to produce more strawberries for next year. Too much nitrogen fertilizer early will cause the strawberries to produce more leaves and fewer blossoms and consequently fewer yummy strawberries!
I incorporated a clump of asparagus into the strawberry patch that Lola sent me but unfortunately I don’t think it made it over the winter. It’s too bad becasue I love to grill asparagus dipped in olive oil with salt and pepper. I put the asparagus and strawberries together since they were both perennials but if your looking for a good companion (sorry not me I’m married) try asparagus and tomatoes!
Hope your yummy strawberries survive this late season freeze. Too bad about the Asparagus, that sounds like a delicious way to cook it. About the companion thing, you are too funny Dave! 😉
I have a 4×4 raised bed for strawberries. This is their second year so I’m hoping for a great show! I definitely covered them tonight – I already have tons of baby strawberries and blooms.
Now that’s a nice bed of berries. I bet a lot of people don’t know when to fertilize them. I didn’t. It makes sense though. I hope they don’t freeze. Can you imagine my seedlings. I can’t bring them in. I’m going to wrap them in blankets tomorrow night. I’m hoping the ground temps will hold the heat.
I checked on that Winchester honeysuckle you saw at my sight. I knew it wasn’t native but wasn’t sure about the aggressive behavior. Well two folks emailed and told me it’s very manageable. That’s what the tag says but you never know.
As for my Mimosa. I know–it’s everywhere but the good insects like it.
Wish you luck with your strawberries, Dave. Just curious… Did you start them from seeds? If so, how long did they take to germinate?
This weather is crazy isn’t it? I live in Indiana so I know what you mean. Most of my plants will have to go uncovered because the areas are too large to cover, I do cover some individualy though. My strawberries aren’t as far along as yours but I’ll cover them anyway. What type of fertilizer do you use on your berries? Mine need somthing.
Maybe the asparagus will still show? One can hope!
Our asparagus has gone crazy!
Our asparagus has gone crazy!
I wonder if I could make it down about the same time y’all get the first batch of strawberries picked? ;~)
Racquel,
The strawberries looked good this morning, or the plants rather. The sheet was a little stiff after taking it off it must have been pretty close to freezing out in the bed. Good thing I tucked them in last night!
Chandramouli,
No I didn’t start them from seeds just transplants. As seeds they would probably take 2 years to produce. I’m just guesstimating though since I’ve never done them from seed. It might be worth trying!
Vicki,
I’ll use an organic fertilizer like bloodmeal after they bloom. I prefer not to do too much since they are in a bed with compost and should have plenty of nutrients.
Tina,
One can and one does!
Darla,
Lucky! You may have to send me some come harvest time! 😉
TC,
You’re welcome too, although I cannot guarantee you will get to eat any, my daughter may have them all munched before you’re even close!
I bought strawberries ‘in a bag’ at a big box store and discovered after the fact they were better suited for growing in containers in my climate.
Now I have this little pot ghetto lined up along a huge timber with a 4 x 4 timber to hold them in place away from the pets.
Is it really true that we’re supposed to pinch off the blossoms the first year and not let fruit form? Bummer!
Hi Dave
I was planning on planting my asparagus amongst my tomatoes, alternating square feet, like a checker board…do you think that would be a problem for the years to come? I don’t know if asparagus multiply from year to year…if so do you think that row planting might be better? I generally try to follow the square foot gardening plan.
Jol from Ohio
PS: The Sugar Snap Pears and Garlic are breaking ground already in my gardens!!
Putting strawberries and asparagus together sounded like a good idea. Gotta keep those perennials together. Too bad the asparagus didn’t make it. Did you know that asparagus, according to Miss Manners, is properly eaten with your hands? Though it’s MORE impolite to point out to dinner guests they’re eating it wrong when they use a fork. This was enough to get our daughter to eat it.
I am new to this,got my first computer about a year ago. Really enjoy this site,my first comment posted is going to be about strawberries. I live in Indiana and have a 3-tier bed for mine,got it by mail order, and it works great. The bottom layer measures approx. 16′ and the other 2 narrow in and holds 50 plants. Having back problems,picking always made me sore. But not with this set up,try it. After trial and error,I would suggest pulling new plants out,because crowding does stop the larger berry production. We need to straw them,to prevent rot from touching the ground,we also,have had more rain the last few years than normal. Hope it helps someone have a great strawberry experience. Sure wish Dave good luck with his and all the bloggers with theirs.