ENN: Environmental News Network [[ ENN Garden Tutorials ]]
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Planting strawberries into black plastic has several advantages. The black plastic keeps weeds at bay, conserves soil moisture, keeps the fruit clean, and also warms the soil … encouraging early fruit development. The soil should be moistened before laying down the plastic. Unroll a 3′ or 4′ wide piece of black plastic over the area you wish to plant in. |
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| Dig two 6″ deep trenches that run parallel to each other and are about 18″ apart. |
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| Tuck the plastic into the trenches. Backfill soil into the trenches, anchoring the plastic in place. |
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| Cut X-shaped slits in the plastic at 18″ intervals. |
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| Plant one strawberry plant per opening. Firm the soil around the plants. |
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| Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are the preferred methods of watering strawberries planted into black plastic, however a watering can or hose held close the crown of the plant works as well. |