208 The complete guide to growing strawberries There are few things more delicious than a ripe, plump strawberry – except (of course) a ripe, plump, home grown strawberry. Growing your own produce is an enjoyable and WHAT TO PLANT STRAWBERRIES WITH affordable pastime, that will help you fill your Strawberries have a few enemies out in the home with delicious seasonal berries – perfect for veggie patch. Avoid planting them near tomatoes, incorporating into salads, smoothies, bakes and capsicum, eggplant or potato plants and be sure to desserts. And this simple pleasure isn’t even that remove any grass or weeds from the surrounding difficult to achieve. soil. You don’t have to dig too deep either, the Pay your local nursery a visit, don your gardening crown (or bulb) of the root needn’t be fully covered. gloves and start cultivating your very own field of juicy, sweet red berries. WATERING & PLANT CARE Regular watering and an optional layer of straw HOW TO GROW STRAWBERRIES and compost around the base of the plant helps Before getting started, remember that strawberries to lock in the moisture and keep roots plump and fare best under temperate circumstances, and are fertile. And don’t forget, if space in the garden is most happy when planted in early winter (May – limited, you can plant the young strawberry plants June). Once you’ve got your calendar in order, pick in big pots or hanging baskets – just make sure the your plants (usually available in small pots) and soil is ripe and getting enough water. settle in for a peaceful hour of planting. WHEN TO HARVEST STRAWBERRIES WHERE TO PLANT STRAWBERRIES There’s little worse than the crushed expectations We’re a fan of strawberries, and strawberries are a of a hard, bitter berry. Learn to harvest your fan of well-drained soil. Full sun and ample space strawberries atthe right time by watching for the go a long way too when it comes to growing a red to creep three-quarters of the way up the flesh. truly successful, thriving harvest.In fact, 30cm Delicious. between each plant is recommended, as they tend to branch out a little (when not interfered with by other contenders in your garden’s array of flora). THE NEFF AUSTRALIA COOKBOOK MAINS