Here are some Genius Strawberry Growing Hacks that you can use to ensure fresh and a bagful harvest from your plants!
We have a habit of throwing away the strawberry tops before consuming them. These tops contain some flesh and seeds, which can be used to grow new plants.
Put all the tops in a blender, add some water and run it for 15-20 seconds. Once done, leave the solution for 10 minutes. The dud seeds will float on the top. Skim them out and wash away the remaining pulp; you will be left with viable seeds. Planting the seeds with too much pulp will cause them to rot.
Plant them directly in the garden or a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix.
The best way to trick the seeds into their regular winter cycle is to refrigerate them after keeping them in an airtight sealable bag or container for 3-4 weeks.
Start the seeds indoors in winter or early spring, about 8-10 weeks before the last frost date in your area.
When your plant is in the stage of producing strawberries, you will have to make sure it is protected from birds and other predators. The simplest way to do it is to paint small pebbles in the shade of red and put them near the plant.
The birds will come to check these out, thinking they are ripened fruits that have fallen off the tree. Once they realize they are of no use, they will fly away. This will keep the actual fruits on the plant safe!
When the plant starts to grow strawberries, the weight of the fruits tends to make them touch the soil, which can rot them. It would be a great idea to use a layer of newspaper or straw around the plants to save that from happening.
This will create a barrier between the fruits and soil, keeping the strawberries safe from rotting.
When the strawberries begin to take their
Read more on balconygardenweb.com