The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 16 Autumn 2016 Low res | Page 25

Strawberries
very easy to propagate. When the
plant sends out a runner over the
surface of the soil, the node at the end
produces roots when in contact with
the soil. Once the new plant is well
established, you can cut the runner.

Catch the runners

One strawberry plant sends out
several runners, but it’s a good idea
to remove these runners as they will
sap energy from the mother plant
and prevent her from producing more
fruit. Maybe this is why we have fruit
continuously throughout the year, as
all our runners are cut off and sent to
the nursery to make new plants. Pay
close attention if you want to have
healthy fruiting strawberries and
remove your runners before they start
rooting, unless you want to use them
for propagation.

Pests and diseases

Botrytis, which is a grey mould, can
affect the strawberry fruit and its
leaves. Remove any affected, soggy
fruit. Snails and slugs also love
strawberries; either hand-pick them
at night, or use bait to catch them. All
our gardens seem to be rife with slugs
and snails; it’s not surprising when
you consider that a single slug can lay
up to 400 eggs a year.

If you want to have healthy fruiting strawberries,
remove your runners before they start rooting.

Picking

Pick your strawberries when they are
ripe. Make sure to wash them only
just before eating, rather than after
picking, as the berries keep best when
they are dry.

Strawberry Jam

500g strawberries
Juice of one lemon
500g sugar
1. Crush and simmer the fruit until
soft.
2. Add the sugar and lemon juice and
stir until sugar has dissolved.
3. Boil rapidly until set.

indigenous & exotic Trees, Shrubs & ground covers

Grass plugs . Flower seedlings

The Corner of Alpes Rd and Calgary Close (opp Wingate Golf Course)
Cosmas 0772 382 081
Gill 0772 301 440
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