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- From: Jim Fruth <jfruth@uslink.net>
- To: <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
- Subject: [NAFEX] Zero weeds in strawberry beds
- Date: Sun, 03 Jul 2005 08:05:47 -0500
I have ZERO weeds in my strawberry patch. When I start a new patch, I
mulch the plants with enough pine needles so that, when the needles pack
down, they are about 2" think. That thickness prevents weed seeds from
germinating, allows water through to the soil and the daughter strawberry
plants still set roots. Then when fruit sets, the berries are off the
ground so they don't get dirty. The only downside is that slugs love the
moist beds so I FEED MY SLUGS. Before berries ripen, a sprinkle slug bait
(with methaldehyde) and, "Goodbye slugs!" The other nasties that chew
holes in strawberries seem to like methaldehyde too and it is, "Goodbye
bugs." Our cats eat the chipmunks.
Ask any strawberry grower and he'll likely tell you about his spraying
regimen, winter mulching, etc. etc. - I don't do any of that and we're
picking between five and ten gallons of (perfect) strawberries every day at
this time of year, June, July (we make and sell jelly, jam and syrup
commercially and we grow all the ingredients except for the sugar and
pectin). Now if someone would just develop a strawberry that leaves the
hull on the plant when the berry is picked.
--
Jim Fruth
Brambleberry Farm
Pequot Lakes, MN
www.bberryfarm.com
- [NAFEX] Zero weeds in strawberry beds, Jim Fruth, 07/03/2005
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