When to plant: Plant in May-June
How to plant
Strawberry prefers pH of 6-6.5 and grow best in full sun.Prepare bed with compost and blood and bone or manure. Scoop out holes large enough to fit the footballs. Plant runners 30 cm apart. Set the crown above the soil level (do not bury the centre of the plants) and firm the soil with your fingers. Water th replants in well with Seasol.
Care
Keep the plants well-watered, especially when the fruit is swelling. To keep the fruit clean and dry mulch around the base of the plants with pea straw mulch.
Fertilise fortnightly with Nutrisoil foliar spray. Trim leaves right back after fruiting season is over. Take the debris and the straw to the compost bin then apply a light dressing of compost to stimulate new growth.
Remove runners from plants for their first two years to encourage fruit production. As strawberries only fruit for 3-4 years replace 30% plants each year.
Harvest
Harvest on a sunny afternoon for sweetness. Strawberries do not ripen after harvest.
Troubleshooting
Ensure pollination can occur with flowers blooming nearby.
Strawberries are vulnerable to mildews and rot so ensure watering is done in the morning, trying to avoid wetting leaves.
Slugs and snails love ripening strawberries so put down slug traps or organic pellets.
Varieties
1. Toscana has been most productive
2. East Ruby Ann
3. North Eastern
4. Delizz
5. Bravo
When to plant: Plant bare rooted canes in Winter about 45cm apart.
There are Summer and Autumn fruiting raspberries and Raspberries grown in Charlie’s Community Garden are Autumn fruiting.
How to plant
Raspberries prefer fertile, well drained soil with a pH of 6.5 or below. Top-dress soil with compost or well rotted manure.
Care: In early Spring mulch heavily with pea straw. Cut off new suckers which appear too far away from the row. Loop canes with loose fitting ties. Water in dry weather and keep weed free. Feeding during the Spring and Summer should not be necessary.
Prune each year cutting the canes to the ground once fruiting is over. After pruning, remove the old straw mulch, spread compost along the row to help dead stubs die down and, in alternate Springs, give plants a boost with an organic fertiliser based on chicken manure.
Harvest: Canes begin fruiting in April and fruit until early Winter.
Troubleshooting: If aphids appear spray with Eco Oil and net to protect fruit from birds.