[MischieMoo]

Hi

Just wondered if all strawberries are great this year.  Our are, I think, the best I've ever tasted and are huge.  I've put it down to the dry, settled weather but is it the same for all the country or are we just lucky this year?

[Lesley Silvester]

I was about to post that I've just picked a load of strawberries this evening. Must be a good pound in weight and I only have a small bed.

Of course the pound weight is only those that made it top the house. 

[benkt]

We've been having fantastic strawberries this week - we've sent out about 30lbs of strawberries to members since Wednesday! Even our thick beds which we have usually have trouble ripening off and protecting from the slugs are doing well. Its nice to have something that's providing a bumper crop!

[HesterF]

Well the blackbirds were looking fat and happy so I netted the strawberry bed. Then a badger (I think) sat on top of the netting and had a feast. So now I've ordered a proper, high top net from Harrod Horticultural. I'm hoping we might get a few for ourselves before the end of the season. My grand plans for the childrens' beds failed - I edged them all with the runners so they could have their own strawberries to gorge themselves on rather than taking mine. So far they've had none and I can't easily net them. Instead we're going to a pick-your-own place tomorrow for strawberries and raspberries to stock up for jam and pigging out. Not my best success!

H

[Rosemary]

Ours are large, plentiful - and completely tasteless. All up in autumn - recommendations fro TASTY varieties welcome.

[Lesley Silvester]

MIne are yummy. Going to make strawberry ice cream tomorrow.

[MischieMoo]

Hi all

I've absolutely no idea what type they are - have had them a few years but set new runners last year so this may be the secret.

Just picked 6.5 pounds of blackcurrants today as well and I've still got a whole bush to pick!  Feel plenty of jam making coming on tomorrow.

[mac2312]

Ours are large, plentiful - and completely tasteless. All up in autumn - recommendations fro TASTY varieties welcome.

I use a breed called elsante heavy cropper and tasty, pity the end berries where not so big with the hot weather as the plant lost moisture in the soil so quick, might get a second crop tho