Thomasville Scene February/March 2022 | Page 33

Delizz ® is a day-neutral strawberry that was the first ever strawberry to be selected as an All-America Selections Winner . Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers . com
down through the planter . Slide the plants through the hole from the inside of the pot . Fill the remaining space with soil . Gently tamp and water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets . As you water , the water travels through the pipe and out the holes , providing moisture to all plants from top to bottom .
Check containers daily and water thoroughly and often enough to keep the soil slightly moist . Reduce maintenance and increase success by incorporating a low nitrogen slow-release fertilizer into the soil at planting or sprinkle over the soil surface as needed . This type of fertilizer promotes growth without interfering with flowering and fruit production .
Start now identifying spaces to add strawberries to your landscape , deck and balcony . Then order seeds or plants early for the greatest selection . Before you know it , you ’ ll be enjoying garden fresh strawberries in your morning cereal , salads or as a snack at the end of the day .
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books , including The Midwest Gardener ’ s Handbook and Small Space Gardening . She hosts The Great Courses “ How to Grow Anything ” DVD series and the nationally-syndicated Melinda ’ s Garden Moment TV & radio program . Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine . Her web site is www . melindamyers . com .
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