Planer shavings under strawberry plants - does it work?

[Eric The Viking]

We _should_ have a better crop this year. Obviously, that's 'some' (rather than 'none' last year).

I'm trying to stay one slime ahead. Can I use planer shavings, of which I have lots, under the plants, or does it have to be actual straw?

All ideas welcome. Right now they're set and growing, but that faint tinkly noise in the late evening is of molluscs pulling out their knives and forks...

E.

 

[longinthetooth]

A gardening friend used to take all the oak machining waste that I produced and swore by it, using it I believe to spread on the paths surrounding the beds rather than on the beds themselves ...

It's possible that the molluscs were averse to the tannins rather than or as well as just the texture ...?

 

[Sheffield Tony]

No.

Not a suitable straw substitute - it either blows all over the place making a mess, or soaks up too much water rotting the fruit and crowns. That's my experience last summer anyway. Mind you, there was an abnormal amount of water to soak up last summer.

 

[Jacob]

Straw has more loose volume and sends the plants and fruit upwards off the ground, keeps them dry and clean. I guess sawdust wouldn't, but it might keep the slugs away a bit.
Yer sposed to take away the straw after they are over as it harbours slugs, mould, etc and you need to let the air in. You couldn't do that with shavings perhaps.

 

[Eric The Viking]

Shame!

I was thinking of fairly coarse stringy planings (been doing a lot of softwood), but I see what you mean. Still, it's probably going to be that or nothing, as straw is a bit expensive, especially after last year.

Thanks,

E.

 

[devonwoody]

Eric best of luck with your strawberries, let us know about your harvest.

My garden has the largest crop of berries I have ever seen but they dont seem in a hurry to ripen. (had the first fruit last evening, and the wife got tummyache :wink: )

 

[Eric The Viking]

Thanks, DW!

We've got gooseberries already (I'm not a fan, personally), and the strawbs have set well and are growing. I had cause to hand plane a thin scrap of idigbo last night for a repair to a toy, so I've got a good armful of long-thin shavings. They'll go under some of the strawbs and I'll add to them as I can (not making shavings for the sake of it!). The patch is only about six by three We'll see.

 

[devonwoody]

Our first strawberry of 2013 (all grown in flower boxes and pots)