The Poultry Keeper

pollypekin · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 183 Location: Kent

Hi all, I have just planted my two Alicante tomatoe plants out in my vegetable patch and 8 courgettes yesterday, after taking the patch over from my chooks :D They did like to sunbathe on there and have a dustbath. My strawberry plants are now doing better but have no flowers on them - suppose its far too late now for me to have any strawberries :(
Gotta plant up my hanging baskets later on today, the plants have flowers on them and they're still in their pots :o :)

sally xx

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

hi Polly, it depends on what strawberries you have whether it's too late or not, they may be autumn fruiting ones.
How you going to keep the girls out of their dust bath ?

pollypekin · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 183 Location: Kent

hi Summayah, I cant remember if the strawberries are early or late fruiting :? I know I've had them two years, and havent had a strawberry yet! :cry:
The chickens have more than one dustbath :D We have a row of conifers and the soil under them is just right for dustbathing. I have my vegetable plot fenced off, although if they wanted, they could get in it :)

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

have you ever had flowers on your strawberries ? They should be excellent on their 2nd year which would be this year. We used to have them in year rows, 1st year don't expect much ~ 2nd year probably the best ~ 3rd year this will be your last, replacing the 3rd year plants at the end of the season with the good new runners.
Are they being kept too dry? I can't think why they haven't fruited for you, sorry brains falling apart.