Quote:
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Originally Posted by Roger
... we have a planter about 3 feet high with strawberry plants in it.
I recall as a lad that we covered our strawberries in the ground with straw
during the winter to protect them frost [I think].
Do strawberries need protecting from the frost?
If so,any ideas on how to do it with this planter - it's far too large to
move inside.
We live about 500 yards from the coast near Newcastle upon Tyne, and do get
frosts.
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Hi Roger,
I'm with Simy1: the straw under the strawberries is to keep the fruit off the ground otherwise it rots, and is eaten to death by slugs. That's why a planter that's 3' off the ground is an excellent way to grow strawbs.
As you are by the coast, I would not expect you to have too much of a frost problem, but you may well have wind-chill problems.
My strawbs go through the winter quite happily unprotected: in spring I just trim off any damaged foliage and they soon sprout up again. I'd suggest that if in doubt, wrap the whole thing in a layer of fleece (the gardening stuff, not the type with zips and hoods) until spring, and they should be fine.
Hope this helps!
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