When do you put straw around strawberries?

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darlindeb Claremore, OK Feb 16, 2011

When do you put straw around strawberries? Somebody sent me six strawberry plants years ago and now I have an actual patch by default. Too many times I've gone to pick a berry to find a slug has beaten me to the berry.

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swimmer35555 Encinitas, CA Feb 16, 2011

You should put straw around strawberries for a few reasons. 1 the straw will help keep the soil moist so use when really hot. 2. keeps weeds from growing. 3. decomposes and ads to the soil structure

Scott
http://www.wiltedleaf.com
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This message was edited Feb 16, 2011 9:16 PM

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telosphilos Little Elm, TX(Zone 7b) Feb 17, 2011

I use cedar mulch pretty much exclusively because it is cheap and readily available here. The organic gardening fanatics tell me it is what is preventing most bugs from getting to my strawberries so you might want to try that. I have never had slugs.

A caveat that I should mention is the birds often get to mine before I do anyhow and it doesn't do anything for ants.

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darlindeb Claremore, OK Feb 17, 2011

Is now a good time to put it down?

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NatureLover1950 Vicksburg, MS(Zone 8a) Feb 19, 2011

I like to wait until the weather warms up a little. Mulch during cold weather gives insects shelter so they will already be in your strawberry patch when they are ready to become active. Also, I put out lids with beer in them in various locations in my strawberries. The slugs (little drunkards) love the stuff. The will crawl in and then are unable to get back out so they drown. This is relatively cheap and an organic approach to your slug problem.

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