Strawberries - summer's sweet sensations

Strawberries - summer's sweet sensations

I say it every year – it’s crazy to be thinking about summer strawberries in the middle of winter.

But if you want to stun the rellies with homegrown juicy sensations this Christmas, then you need to plant now.

The only exception to this rule is if you live down south – then you might need to wait until August when the soil is a little warmer.

Strawberries grow just about anywhere - your garden bed, old containers, or even in a cut off bit of drainpipe. As long as they can see the sun, and your garden or pot is well drained, you can expect great growing results.

As with all plants, soil preparation is important. Strawberries prefer a soil pH of 5.8 to 6.2, which is slightly acid, so you shouldn’t need any lime. You can enrich the strawberry bed by digging in potash and composted vegetable matter to provide a boost of food for the plants as they grow, and fowl manure to reduce the pH.

Planting in a pot? Use a top quality potting mix and for an extra boost of goodness apply a liquid fertiliser to the mix.

Grab some of Awapuni Nurseries’ Traditional Value strawberry seedlings when you’re down at your local supermarket, Warehouse or Bunnings store. Alternatively, head online to www.awapuni.co.nz and have your seedlings delivered direct to your door.

Each bundle has around four plants, which should produce between 60 -100 strawberries come Christmas. When your seedlings arrive, they may have last season’s leaves on it. These will die off and, when the plant is ready, it will shoot out new healthy and strong leaves from the centre of the plant. If you like, you can cut all the leaves off at about 3cm above the central heart of the plant.

Before planting raise your garden bed by mounding the soil. This will encourage circulation, drainage and can add depth to shallow soil.

Plant your seedlings around the edges of your garden or pots to encourage the strawberries to hang over the sides and prevent the fruit from touching the ground and rotting.

Strawberries should be planted in rows that are 60 cm wide and 100cm apart.

Dig a hole 10cm deep and place the seedling inside. A deep hole is required to give the roots plenty of room to spread out and grow but be careful not to bury the plant. Pack the soil firmly around each seedling.

Once planted it’s important to keep them well watered at all times.

When the weather starts to warm up during spring it's a good idea to surround the seedlings with peastraw or newspaper to help keep away weeds and retain water. The more moisture they get the juicier the fruit will be.

Place netting or wire over you plants when they begin to produce fruit. This will block out birds and ensure you get to eat the strawberries yourself. In spring, add another dose of general fertiliser to your strawberries to encourage sturdier plants that are more disease resistant heading in to the warmer months.

Then sit back and wait till Christmas to enjoy the sweet sensation of your own hard work.

Tod Palenski Awapuni Nurseries www.awapuni.co.nz

Heading: Pretty up your home and garden with potted primulas

Copy: Pot purple primulas for pretty patios. Now there’s a tongue twister for you. Actually planting primulas isn’t that complicated. And, don’t worry if purple or lavender’s not your thing they come in a range of colours.

Purples, pinks and whites can create a whimsical look and feel. While, the stronger colours like red give a more cottage garden look and feel.

Once you’ve decided on the colour – head down to your local supermarket, Bunnings or The Warehouse and grab some Awapuni Nurseries Traditional Value or Pop’n’Grow seedlings.

While you’re out, have a look for a suitable pot. I like to use pots or containers I have lying around home. Sometimes I really shake things up by using an old jug or watering can. If you take this route you can then head to www.awapuni.co.nz and get your Awapuni Nurseries primula seedlings delivered right to your door.

The great thing about planting primulas at this time of the year is they cope quite happily in the shade. Once you’ve found a spot in your garden or pot, simply dig a little hole and plant. Then wait for these pretty flowers to pretty up your home and garden in about six to eight weeks.

Tod Palenski Awapuni Nurseries www.awapuni.co.nz

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