tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post2512296660872137630..comments2024-03-18T22:33:57.339-04:00Comments on 5 Acres & A Dream: This Year I'm Gonna Have StrawberriesLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-43093917866458413942013-03-27T15:09:05.518-04:002013-03-27T15:09:05.518-04:00Dianne, thank you for your comment. I actually did...Dianne, thank you for your comment. I actually did solarize the original strawberry bed after I moved the strawberries. As you say, it works well and does keep it relatively weed free for quite awhile. My bermuda is so pervasive though, that it wasn't long before it was moving in from "next door" to that plot! Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-69213319523854151902013-03-27T14:15:01.662-04:002013-03-27T14:15:01.662-04:00I don't know where you live because I've j...I don't know where you live because I've just stumbled onto your blog however , , , ,My solution would be to 'solarize' your area of property where you want to plant something Solarize means to water the area, then cover it with a cover made of black plastic You a=can buy large 20X50 foot sheets at a hardware store. Leave the plastic sheet on the ground for the summer and I GUARANTEE it will kill any plant underneath it and then next season you can plant in the area and it will be weed-free for a long time. I live in bermuda grass country and it is the only way I can garden directly in the ground. enjoy your strawberries I love them. dianneferay@gmail.comdindinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12244875497233803814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-10634024325129308602013-03-10T21:20:37.736-04:002013-03-10T21:20:37.736-04:00Jeremy, thanks. That's something I haven't...Jeremy, thanks. That's something I haven't heard of and will definitely look into it. I agree about mulch, though I have had it grow through cardboard mulch!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-1330418149967419082013-03-10T18:33:48.354-04:002013-03-10T18:33:48.354-04:00Leigh,
Have you tried or considered planting a ba...Leigh, <br />Have you tried or considered planting a barrier plant surrounding your beds? In theory these plants send roots down that form a wall and make it difficult for bermuda/quack to penetrate. Ive heard perrenial sunflowers like Maximilian work good. I've also noticed from personal experience that the bermuda grows much slower around my garlic. A little straw doesnt hurt either to help block the light. Wherever you see it popping through plop down a peice of wet newspaper and some straw.<br />Good Luck, and Id love to hear if the maximillian works!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-49358408573719178772013-03-09T05:16:30.274-05:002013-03-09T05:16:30.274-05:00Nancy and Bridget, sounds good but maintaining abo...Nancy and Bridget, sounds good but maintaining about 75 baskets or pots of strawberries seems like it would have other problems. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-82850799635412653382013-03-09T04:43:58.971-05:002013-03-09T04:43:58.971-05:00Challenging to say the least! I think I would reso...Challenging to say the least! I think I would resort to pots. Bridget x.Bridgethttp://fromacountrycottage.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-49918034111694761092013-03-08T19:34:15.875-05:002013-03-08T19:34:15.875-05:00Some people use hanging baskets and they do very w...Some people use hanging baskets and they do very well there...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00576053785355324560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-72616958446591441882013-03-08T14:46:48.701-05:002013-03-08T14:46:48.701-05:00Sandy, strawberry munching critters are another pr...Sandy, strawberry munching critters are another problem, aren't they? I lose quite a few to birds, mice, rats, moles, shrews.<br /><br />Jen, thanks! I hope you do well with them too. How lucky you can grow them year around!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-59364077769122029182013-03-08T11:30:50.150-05:002013-03-08T11:30:50.150-05:00Oh I hope you get some this year, shoot I'm ho...Oh I hope you get some this year, shoot I'm hoping I get some too. The area I live in grows strawberries almost year around and without really trying. <br /><br />ME though, not so much I try every year and get very few. I mulched and added more bare root so fingers crossed i'll be making some jam too. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16711169722488606559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-64983508090149530052013-03-08T00:38:31.418-05:002013-03-08T00:38:31.418-05:00Leigh,
My strawberries were doing beautifully las...Leigh,<br /><br />My strawberries were doing beautifully last year. I planted them in pots, and the berries were plentiful, that is until the squirrels decided to stop and have dessert. If you plant them watch out for the little critters.Sandy Livesayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06183449816586125720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-72264244358319633742013-03-07T18:49:51.951-05:002013-03-07T18:49:51.951-05:00Cassandra, who would have thought indeed. Sounds l...Cassandra, who would have thought indeed. Sounds like you've found some solutions to at least some of your problems. I'm glad to hear the crushed egg shells work so well. I've heard the recommendation for diatomaceous earth, but egg shells are cheaper, LOL<br /><br />Moose Hollow Farm, it's true the rototilling and raking helps. I don't know that I want to plant a brand new bed every year though. I may have to, though, if I can't win this year. <br /><br />Linda, I'm sorry! I was the one who misunderstood your question. I got the testing through my cooperative extension service. <br /><br />Hannah, smothering does indeed kill burmuda grass. As you say though, if it's anywhere in the vicinity, it spreads back either by roots, runners, and/or seed! This year I'm just hoping I can stay ahead of it long enough to harvest berries. Next year, who knows? Aquaponics really doesn't appeal though. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-36590688839042758992013-03-07T17:55:30.822-05:002013-03-07T17:55:30.822-05:00Leigh- I struggle with nasty grasses too. I wish ...Leigh- I struggle with nasty grasses too. I wish I could totally eliminate grass then it couldn't invade again so easily, but we have chicken and duck tractors (movable houses) and need the grass for them to eat. I think if the soil is totally blanketed with thick newspaper, cardboard, or carpet for long enough (years?) it will kill even the burmuda grass but if it is alive in adjoining beds it will creep back in. But you really need to see this aquaponics setup for strawberries. It is very big and costly, but apparently pays for itself commercially, but aquaponics can be done more cheaply on a small scale. Perhaps that's what the rain gutter systems are? Perhaps they are just a water system not with a growing medium like the youtube video below? I've been dabbling with an indoor system that uses fish wastes for fertilizer and have not had expensive lighting so limited results. Outdoors that would not be a problem. If I were doing it again or when my last fish is gone, I would switch to fertilizer solutions since fish food is expensive over time too and fish wastes are not adequate in Phosphorus needed for fruit.<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=Cbody-aIXGE&feature=fvwpHannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04773149110503024929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-29908781823932452272013-03-07T16:58:33.980-05:002013-03-07T16:58:33.980-05:00Hello Leigh,
Thanks for stopping by my blog and g...Hello Leigh, <br />Thanks for stopping by my blog and giving the link for Kinsey Agricultural Services. However, I was referring to the grain mix and getting it tested for protein percentage… or did I misunderstand your post?Lindahttp://lindercroft.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-56254141601049759792013-03-07T16:58:08.126-05:002013-03-07T16:58:08.126-05:00What if you rototilled as much as you could and th...What if you rototilled as much as you could and threw away the weeds that you dug up (or burned them in a burn barrel). Then plant your strawberry plants and surround them with straw to drown out weeds. I hope it works for you.Moose Hollow Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15525360464795498100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-38769278826277374992013-03-07T15:36:49.345-05:002013-03-07T15:36:49.345-05:00Oh, good luck! Here in OK I've been fighting t...Oh, good luck! Here in OK I've been fighting too much direct sunlight, bermuda grass, and slugs. I'm starting my third planting of strawberries, as I've lost all of the previous plants over the course of 8 years. I finally figured out spreading crushed egg shells around the plants to deter the slugs, and a raised be helps immensely with the wire grass (it doesn't eliminate it entirely, but makes it much easier to pull out). This year I'm planning to put up some shade fabric over the bed during the afternoon. I'm not sure what else to do. Who would have thought strawberries would be so tough, right?Cassandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02074532906052222281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-81264139712052868252013-03-07T14:55:08.746-05:002013-03-07T14:55:08.746-05:00DFW, it's a curse! LOL
Susan, love the machin...DFW, it's a curse! LOL<br /><br />Susan, love the machine guns, LOL<br /><br />Carolyn, don't say we didn't warn you!!!<br /><br />Connie, I'm guessing your tires are nice thick ones? Congratulations on winning at least one battle!<br /><br />Renee, what a heartbreak to have to leave them behind. If it wasn't for the strawberry jam Dan loves so much, I might not even bother. I'd just buy them in season for a strawberry shortcake or two. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-88255819113890255582013-03-07T14:30:01.373-05:002013-03-07T14:30:01.373-05:00After 3 years I started to get strawberries finall...After 3 years I started to get strawberries finally growing good, and then we moved and I left my plants behind...In the process of deciding if I should grow more.Renee W at Shooting for Frugalhttp://shootingforfrugal.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-20312170792527079662013-03-07T13:24:43.757-05:002013-03-07T13:24:43.757-05:00My problem is noxious weeds they seem to take over...My problem is noxious weeds they seem to take over everything. I finally planted my strawberries in a couple tractor tires and a couple truck tires with a ground cover underneath. I actually had strawberries last year first time in 6 years. I even planted all my herbs in tires and they are all doing so good.frugallivingonthewatkinsranch.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03275164585460071746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-78425178322146448592013-03-07T12:54:49.828-05:002013-03-07T12:54:49.828-05:00So you'd be screaming to know that we are tryi...So you'd be screaming to know that we are trying to ESTABLISH bermuda grass? In the pasture though. :)Carolynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14436557172029575513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-21754500954322919612013-03-07T12:45:55.872-05:002013-03-07T12:45:55.872-05:00My battle is with the four-footed variety of pests...My battle is with the four-footed variety of pests. This year, I am building a two-tier box, putting hardware cloth on the bottom, planting my strawberries, then surrounding it with netting. Not to mention posting machine guns on the corners....it's war!Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12573143203599624833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-62994019119156262222013-03-07T12:27:03.253-05:002013-03-07T12:27:03.253-05:00Good luck Leigh. We have Bermuda at the Country Ho...Good luck Leigh. We have Bermuda at the Country House, tough stuff!DFWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18345712839702427280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-29022788338341101552013-03-07T12:07:20.055-05:002013-03-07T12:07:20.055-05:00Tanya, good grief, it's a global problem. I...Tanya, good grief, it's a global problem. I'll have to check out some of those ideas on Pintrest. <br /><br />Theresa, seems everybody loves strawberries! I certainly wish I could find some cheap strawberry barrels. <br /><br />Tami, LOL. I thought about you as I wrote this. Did you have any luck with your strawberries in raised beds?<br /><br />CrankyPuppy, as you can see, we're all in the same battle. :(<br /><br />Nina, doesn't it though. And apparently, there aren't any safe spots anywhere!<br /><br />Daisy, that seems to be so. But somehow, the idea of 100 pots of strawberries seems a bit daunting!<br /><br />Icebear, thanks for that idea. It's the watering that I'm concerned about, but I can see irrigation in rain gutters a bit easier than individual pots.<br /><br />Natalie, there's those pallets again. With that idea, I wouldn't have to worry so much about individual pots. Hmmm. <br /><br />Bettina, well, window boxes is another idea. If I could remember to water them, LOL<br /><br />Candace, well, if you've read all these comments then perhaps you can consider that it's not you, it's the strawberries!<br /><br />MamaPea, thanks, LOL. How do I control the wiregrass in other parts of the garden? I don't! I do find it doesn't like shade, so if I can mulch heavily, that helps. It also doesn't grow under thick shade. Of course strawberries are short little guys, so the wiregrass shades them out. <br /><br />Sherri, I've tried vinegar actually. It kills the leaves but not the root. I've read even RoundUp is the same way. Folks who use it say it eventually comes back.<br /><br />Mary Ann, we ought to start a club!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-37872767029686712642013-03-07T11:51:28.459-05:002013-03-07T11:51:28.459-05:00We went to container strawberries last year, and I...We went to container strawberries last year, and I'm going to expand on that this year... I have never had much success in the ground, either. Mary Annhttp://www.calamityacres.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-38816755067189659142013-03-07T11:02:31.499-05:002013-03-07T11:02:31.499-05:00That wire grass sounds horrid, is there nothing th...That wire grass sounds horrid, is there nothing that can get rid of it? <br />I know that vinegar will kill anything but don't know how long it takes to be able to plant in that location again..I do hope that you can get some berries this year. xoSherri B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03956294100834139745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-9920197282604435002013-03-07T10:59:02.273-05:002013-03-07T10:59:02.273-05:00Oh,Leigh, you deserve so much credit for being so ...Oh,Leigh, you deserve so much credit for being so tenacious in trying to grow strawberries! The other comments contain some good sounding things you might try. How do you control the wire grass in other parts of your garden? <br /><br />I do know that I should never complain again about the quack grass in my strawberry bed. It, too, has long roots but I can keep it pulled out and under control.Mama Peahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03649357184167949247noreply@blogger.com