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Didi Hofmann   
Monday, 03 April 2006

Strawberries

Strawberries are always a treat - whether it's a grand occasion or just an impromptu picnic. If you love the idea of growing your own strawberries now's the time to look out for young plants at nurseries and herb centres. Young strawberries planted in April will bear fruit in September. Recommended varieties are Selecta or Chandler.

Plant in full sun, in well prepared, richly composted beds. Strawberries can also be grown in window boxes and pots using good quality potting soil. Pots should be 20cm in diameter or more. Strawberries in beds should be mulched with bark chips, peanut shells, straw or even black shade cloth to keep the fruit away from the soil. Water regularly and feed monthly with an organic plant food. Limit the amount of runners that will form daughter plants to four or less as too many offshoots affect the amount and quality of fruit. Watch out for red spider mite on the underside of leaves and spray with Ludwig's Insect Spray to deal with adult mites followed a week later with 5ml Ludwig's Rose Spider Mite spray, which kills the eggs and immature mites.

Pick strawberries by the stalk to prevent bruising and eat as soon as possible after picking. They're full of Vitamins C and A and Potassium.

Di-Di is the owner of Bouquet Garni Nursery - South Africa's Top Potted Herb Growers and Marketers. You'll find hundreds of tips and recipes to help you get the most from your herbs, and his insanely popular FREE Timeless Herb Secrets e-newsletter, on his website www.herb.co.za.

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