Straw for strawberries
Can anybody tell me why you should put straw under strawberries - should you do it once the fruit starts to ripen or earlier?
This is only the second year I've grown them but I didn't put anything under them last year and they seemed fine.
I used not bother putting straw down but in the last couple of years I have mulched them with straw when the fruits start to form - it keep them off the soil and stops the mud splashing on them when they are watered.
You could grow them through plastic sheeting instead - then you won't need straw. I know some people use paper plates cut open on one side and slipped around each plant.
you place straw under them to stop mud splashing onto the fruit which i believe can potentially lead to botis, i have been growing mine on straw and have ahd plenty of strawberrys with no problems, and not too much weeding needed either.