May 13, 2016

Strawberry Patch Update!




Sweet Charlie on the left soaking up water before planting.  Top pink bloom is Toscana and bottom is Earliglo one of the plants that survived the destruction and was planted 3 years ago.  Updating today as to the growth.





Sweet Charlie I love this variety.  As a matter of fact this is the first variety of strawberry plant that was put into Forest Lake Strawberries.  This was around 1980 or so.  I'll never forget the excitement of a pick your own farm going onto our Ratliff property.  I also watched daily as those beauties grew, bloomed and fruited.  

These little plants were a little expensive but I was so glad to get them.  Now if I can keep the 'critters' away from them over here in prairie land.




Look at this beauty!  I may have to put in another raised strawberry patch if these do well.  I just love the pink blooms.  don't you?  This is Toscana. 





This was taken mid April.  You can see how the right is growing faster than the left side of the patch.
I found out that my soaker hose had a massive leak so I had to replace and try to help the plants live, thrive and grow.

Left in picture above are the 3 year old survivors Earliglo and then just planted Albion and only one Toscana. Right side of center path are Tribute.  These are fabulous and so far my favorite home garden strawberry plants. This was before I planted the three Sweet Charlies on the right of patch. I can't wait to see how the new plants do and compare the varieties!  Exciting times.





This picture was taken April 22nd.  the are beginning to show signs of growth.
Tribute and Sweet Charlie here




This picture was taken May 4th.  The growth is significant.




This picture was taken May 9th.  Look at the blooms.
(don't look at the weeds and grass growing too...:)




Earliglo 3 year old plant that survived!
Can you see the perennial verbena?  I got that from mama years ago and it is one faithful little plant.  Trouble is I don't want it in the strawberry patch.




Earliglo plant 3 years old (one of the survivors)


The grands and I are so excited to have a new patch planted and growing.  It will take a year or so for them to bear well and we can't wait.  I'm thankful for the 5 survivors at least the little ones will have a taste until then.

Watering Tips

1.  I just watered them and need to add some Bloom Buster to them so they will continue blooming and fruiting.  Add once a week for results. 
2.  Always keep your patch moist.  
3.  You can check this by placing a finger down in the soil around the plants at least to the knuckle and seeing if it is moist.  
4.  If so you're good to go if not you'd better water. 
5.  Water underneath the plants being careful not to wet the leaves.  This prevents damage and disease growth.
6.  Water early morning or late afternoon.  You want the leaves to dry before dark to prevent disease.
7.  You do not want to wet during mid-day hot sun.  This can blister the leaves.



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4 comments:

  1. Wow! It looks great! Can't wait to learn your jam recipe!

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  2. I'm wanting to plant is raised bed also, But it will be about a month before the first one is done. Can I plant in large pots and and then replant?
    I'm assuming the growth won't be as it should but I'm hoping to get them a little established for next year. Think this will work? There is only two of us as far as eating fresh, but I do want to make some jam or jellys. In fact I'm trying to see if there are any recipes for not adding sugar. I control my diabetes this way. You know of any? Thank you for sharing the info on caring the strawberries.

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    Replies
    1. Yes strawberries do fine potted. It should be fine in about a month to transplant but be sure to water pretty constantly for at least 7 days after planting. Then check soil to make sure it stays moist after that. You wouldn't want to lose them. If they are ever bearing plants then be sure to add a bloom booster at least once a week with watering to help them bear better. Here is a recipe for no sugar from Ball. It is for their jam maker but you could probably make it without the jam maker using those ingredients. It will be a small batch recipe but it should work. I have interchanged their recipes before, however I have not made this recipe before. I hope it works. Ball No Sugar Berry Jam Yes strawberries do fine potted. It should be fine in about a month to transplant but be sure to water pretty constantly for at least 7 days after planting. Then check soil to make sure it stays moist after that. You wouldn't want to lose them. If they are ever bearing plants then be sure to add a bloom booster at least once a week with watering to help them bear better. Here is a recipe for no sugar from Ball. It is for their jam maker but you could probably make it without the jam maker using those ingredients. It will be a small batch recipe but it should work. I have interchanged their recipes before, however I have not made this recipe before. I hope it works. http://www.freshpreserving.com/recipes/jam-maker/berry-jam-no-sugar

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