We recently harvested the first strawberries of the season. Strawberries are really the only thing I can grow very well. I think it’s because they don’t need a lot of attention.
We planted a new strawberry pyramid this year. I like these because they’re compact and come with a sprinkler system. We’re pinching off any blossoms we get this year so that the plant will put all its resources into root production. Consequently, we won’t get any strawberries off of these plants until next year. That’s okay by me. We get lots off the 50 plants we already have.
In years past, we’ve had a bunch of difficulty with raccoons and birds eating our strawberries before they get ripe. Last year, out of sheer frustration, I designed and built (with Bill’s help…okay, I helped him…) this handy method of netting the strawberry pyramid.
I love it because I can, singlehandedly, remove it for harvesting, weeding, and repositioning the daughters. It does a great job of keeping the coons and other critters away.
Our supply list was:
½” PVC pipe
6 T-fittings, ½”
Cable ties
Netting
All-purpose cement (a solvent-based cement)
Regarding the building process, I think the pictures are pretty self-explanatory.
The amount of PVC pipe would depend on how big an area you need to cover. (Hey, geometry really is useful!) I think this idea could easily be modified for a rectangular bed. Not too big, or one person couldn’t move it. I plan to try it on our blueberry bushes which are covered with blueberries. (I recently started pruning them. What a difference!)
As soon as the harvest is over, I plan to fertilize the plants. I don’t think we’ve ever done that, and my soil tests show the plants could use a little help.
So, strawberry growers! Any tips and tricks for the Young Family Farm?