Category: Other advice and tips

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Why Bother Growing Strawberries in My Backyard? I Have a Nice Lawn and I Can Buy Fruit at the Market. It’s Easier That Way.

Well, it might be more convenient, but is it better? A well-maintained strawberry bed can be just as much of a garden decoration as a neatly trimmed lawn.

Moreover, contrary to the fears of many “lazybones,” I want to assure you that strawberries do not require much work and are an ideal choice for beginner gardeners, especially when small children visit our garden. For them, a strawberry bed will certainly be a bigger attraction than even the most beautiful lawn.

Growing strawberries offers children the joy of watching plants grow, and the opportunity to pick and eat fruits straight from the bush, which can be a fascinating and educational experience.

Growing strawberries on your own is a relaxing hobby that brings great satisfaction from home-grown fruits. It is worth remembering that strawberries from your garden are usually tastier and of better quality than those bought. Additionally, we can be sure that they are free from pesticides, which always makes them a healthier choice.

And the last issue: in the long term, growing your strawberries is always cheaper than buying them regularly.

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Ants in the Garden. How to Fight These Uninvited Guests? Ecological Methods

Ants in the garden can be a problem; however, there are several effective ways to deal with these unwelcome guests while maintaining an environmentally friendly approach:

1. Vinegar:
Spray a solution of vinegar and water (in a 1:1 ratio) in places where you see ants. Vinegar is a natural deterrent.

2. Baking soda and powdered sugar:
A mixture of baking soda with powdered sugar can be effective, as ants are attracted to the sugar, and the baking soda kills them after ingestion.

3. Cinnamon:
Sprinkle cinnamon in places where you notice ants. It is a natural repellent.

4. Lemon solution:
Spray areas where ants gather with a solution of water and lemon juice. The acidic smell repels ants.

5. Diatomaceous earth:
This is a natural, non-metallic mineral powder that is effective in combating ants, acting as a desiccant.

6. Cucumber peel pieces:
Placing them in areas where ants gather can help deter them.

7. Crawling plants:
Some plants, such as mint, lavender, or basil, act as natural ant deterrents.

8. Sealing entrances:
Block all potential entrances for ants into the home, including cracks in walls and around windows.

9. Regular cleaning:
Removing food residues and maintaining cleanliness in the garden will help discourage ants.

10. Water barrier:
If you have outdoor pots, you can place them in a bowl of water, creating a barrier that ants cannot cross.

Remember that ants play an important role in the ecosystem, helping in the decomposition of organic matter and soil aeration. Sometimes the best strategy is simply to maintain balance and avoid excessive ant control unless they become a serious problem.

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When is the Best Time to Plant Strawberries?

Thirty years ago, the situation was simple: we planted strawberries in spring or autumn, as those were the only times when nurseries had large quantities of properly rooted seedlings available. 🌱 Today, thanks to the incredible development of nursery technology, we can plant strawberries throughout the entire growing season. We have at our disposal not only green (dug up) seedlings but also frigo-type seedlings and potted seedlings. And, indeed, it is difficult to answer the question of which planting term for strawberries is the best, as each has its good and bad sides. Below I present a few relationships between the type of seedlings we have decided on, the timing of their planting, and the height of the first yield:🧐📆 Continue reading “When is the Best Time to Plant Strawberries?”

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Balcony Strawberries? Pick These Varieties!


If you want to grow strawberries on a balcony or terrace, we advise choosing varieties that thrive in pots and planters, as well as those that are resistant to various weather conditions and typical strawberry diseases. Traditional varieties are generally not suitable for balcony cultivation; only everbearing ones—those that will fruit until late autumn—are recommended. Here are a few varieties that are great for balcony growing:

Ostara: This variety fruits for a very long time, often until the first frosts. It produces not too large but very tasty fruits. Ostara is well-known among fruit producers for its high resistance to many diseases characteristic of strawberries, which undoubtedly facilitates its cultivation.

Selva: A very gracious variety of Californian origin, Selva blooms and fruits continuously for many months. It is characterized by beautiful, large, and sweet fruits. Additionally, it is resistant to most strawberry diseases, meaning it does not require strong chemical protection.

San Andreas: An attractive variety bred in the USA, San Andreas has large, intensely red, and well-shaped fruits. In terms of taste, it is a revelation! It fruits from the end of May throughout the vegetation period, and if not for winter, it would probably fruit until spring. San Andreas is distinguished by its resistance to some strawberry diseases and is not difficult to cultivate.

Ania: This variety comes from sunny Italy and is characterized by large, shiny, and incredibly sweet fruits with aromatic pulp. Ania fruits for a very long time, practically until the first frosts. It shows significant resistance to most fungal diseases of strawberries, making it a very attractive choice for those who prefer not to use a sprayer.

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How to Grow Strawberries on a Balcony: A Step-by-Step Guide

Not everyone has the opportunity to grow strawberries in a garden or allotment.
Some are “condemned” to grow them on a balcony or possibly on a terrace.
Is it difficult? Definitely not. You just need to follow a few of the rules below:

  • Prepare healthy and strongly rooted seedlings.
    This is the starting point, without which further activities will make little sense.
  • Varieties:
    We especially recommend those from the group of repeat-fruiting, which will bear fruit throughout the season until late autumn.
  • Location:
    Choose a sunny spot and an appropriate box or pot with a depth of at least 20 cm, with plenty of holes in the bottom for draining excess water (so-called drainage).
  • Soil:
    Fill the box (or pot) with fertile, yet permeable soil, preferably with a slightly acidic pH.
  • Planting:
    Plant young plants at the same depth as they grew in the nursery, maintaining proper spacing, i.e., no less than 25 to 30 cm from seedling to seedling.
  • Watering:
    After planting, water the strawberries generously.
  • Fertilizing:
    Every 2 weeks, feed the plants using a special strawberry fertilizer (instructions for use are always found on the package).
  • Maintenance:
    Water the strawberries regularly, not allowing the plants to dry out; the soil in pots should be moist, not wet.
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Should You Cut Strawberry Leaves After Fruiting?

I assume the question concerns traditional, non-repeating varieties. Here we have two schools of thought. One says – cut back, the other – absolutely do not cut back. One thing is certain, if our strawberries look OK after the harvest, meaning there’s no significant disease or pest infestation (especially spider mites) visible on the leaves, the strawberries aren’t overly weedy, they seem to be in good condition and “have life in them”, then, in my opinion, cutting the leaves doesn’t make much sense.🙂
Continue reading “Should You Cut Strawberry Leaves After Fruiting?”

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Is It Worth Spending Money on Nursery Strawberry Plants? How Are They Better Than Free Ones From Your Father-in-Law?

Oh, it’s worth it! 😊 Seedlings from a nursery and those ‘from the father-in-law’ might look the same at a glance. The truth usually comes out after some time, often when we start harvesting. Believe an old practitioner – you will never, ever succeed in strawberry cultivation by planting a plantation with ‘crap’. Free seedlings ‘from the father-in-law’ or ‘from the brother-in-law’, especially from a plantation that’s been around for several years, are just an illusory saving. 😀 Continue reading “Is It Worth Spending Money on Nursery Strawberry Plants? How Are They Better Than Free Ones From Your Father-in-Law?”

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