Please guide me on kick starting my 6 to 8 strawberry plants from last year. They are in the ground. David Tarrant, in his book Pacific Gardening Guide' suggests the use of aluminum plates: the plate is put around and under the plant. This is a bit confusing. Is the plat fitted at the ground level or under the roots? How does the plate help? What does it do? Appreciate members help. This is my first post and I am a novice.
Virendra, Welcome to the forum from me in Anacortes.:)) I'm not sure exactly where you are in Burlington, but here are some places to go or call for help. 1. Skagit county Extension office. Don McMoran, WSU/Skagit Co.Extension Educator - 360-428-4270 ext 225 (Near the Airport at 11768 Westar Lane). He may be able to answer you question or at least send you to some one the can, 2. Azusa Farm, Everett Chu Master Gardener and Owner. 360-770-4351 3. Summersun Nursery & Landscaping. 360-424-1663 (4100 E College Way On Highway 20, Near Avondale Rd. ) 4. Wells Nursery 360-6544. (9424 E. Section St. across the Freeway from the Amtract Station. Hope this bit of info for this area will help. Barbara
Well, I don't know about the aluminum pie plate, but I would assume it is being used to deter pests. Shiny noisy things like pie plates are sometimes used to scare birds away from fruiting plants. I have never had a problems with birds eating my strawberries, but if I don't put a barrier between the soil and the plants, slugs and pill bugs will devour all the fruit. Growing strawberries in containers can help, or use a thick layer of dry mulch or something to keep the fruit away from the soil or maybe suspend the fruiting stems with mesh to keep them raised away from the soil.
