Hi

bit of a novice when it comes to things in the garden, but 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.

Many thanks

Roger C

Roger wrote:
Hi

bit of a novice when it comes to things in the garden, but 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.


The straw is usually for mulch since they do not compete well with
weeds and they like the consistent moisture. Strawberries make it
outside unprotected here in Michigan, where the temps dip to 0F (-19C)
most years.

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!

"simy1" wrote in message
ups.com...

Roger wrote:
Hi

bit of a novice when it comes to things in the garden, but 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.


The straw is usually for mulch since they do not compete well with
weeds and they like the consistent moisture. Strawberries make it
outside unprotected here in Michigan, where the temps dip to 0F (-19C)
most years.


Tnx to all for the advice. I think they will survive the winter without
special protection. the North East of England can get chilly / frosty but
usually not for long and not down to 0F (-19C)!

Roger C

Here in northern Illinois, I have noticed that winters with heavy snowfall take a
toll
on the strawberry patch. I don't know if it is weight of the snow or some lack
of
atmosphere and sunlight that is killing them. I have tried straw and small
branches left over from pruning, but with not much improvement. I guess that the
strawberries
go dormant over the cold winters, so what is killing them?

simy1 wrote:

Roger wrote:
Hi

bit of a novice when it comes to things in the garden, but 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.


The straw is usually for mulch since they do not compete well with
weeds and they like the consistent moisture. Strawberries make it
outside unprotected here in Michigan, where the temps dip to 0F (-19C)
most years.

"sherwindu" wrote in message
...
Here in northern Illinois, I have noticed that winters with heavy snowfall
take a
toll
on the strawberry patch. I don't know if it is weight of the snow or some
lack
of
atmosphere and sunlight that is killing them. I have tried straw and
small
branches left over from pruning, but with not much improvement. I guess
that the
strawberries
go dormant over the cold winters, so what is killing them?


Physical damage to the roots; stems etc?

Roger C

You should be afraid if you get lot of snow for a long time .
One solution that some people use is to cover strawberries with
branches of conifers.

http://www.agardening.info

Roger je napisal:
"simy1" wrote in message
ups.com...

Roger wrote:
Hi

bit of a novice when it comes to things in the garden, but 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.


The straw is usually for mulch since they do not compete well with
weeds and they like the consistent moisture. Strawberries make it
outside unprotected here in Michigan, where the temps dip to 0F (-19C)
most years.


Tnx to all for the advice. I think they will survive the winter without
special protection. the North East of England can get chilly / frosty but
usually not for long and not down to 0F (-19C)!

Roger C