Fragaria ananassa ‘Temptation’
HEIGHT x WIDTH: 20cm x 20cm.
DISTANCE APART: 20cm
WHEN TO HARVEST: Start picking the fruit when they are deep red in colour and there are no patches of green still on them. Keep the stalks attached to the fruit as this will help them to keep for longer in the fridge.
HOW MUCH WATER: Water every day unless it rains.
WHERE TO PLANT: Full sun
CAN I GROW THEM IN A POT? Yes, strawberries are fantastic in pots, barrels and hanging baskets. Fill the pot with premium potting mix then plant the seedlings. Water them well. Make sure that the container gets plenty of sunlight from all directions.
CAN I GROW THEM IN A GARDEN BED? Yes. The garden bed must get at least 6 hours of sun every day. Mix lots of compost or animal manure into the soil, plant the seedlings and water lightly. Spread some mulch such as pea straw or lucerne hay over the soil and close to the plants to keep the fruit off the ground.
BEST BUDDY PLANTS: Strawberries are best buddies with lettuce, beans, silverbeet and spinach.
OTHER ‘SMARTY PLANT’ TIPS:
- When you get your seedlings home, let them sit in a shallow tray of water which has had a tablespoon of seaweed solution added for an hour or two. This will get them ready for transplanting.
- After planting, water the seedlings with a very soft hose or a watering can several times a day until they settle in.
- Apply liquid fertiliser one the plants have started flowering.
- Watch out for snails, slugs and snails that love strawberries!
There’s more information at the Smarty Plants website.