From: pdrahn@jodeco.com   
      
   On 3/24/2019 6:58 PM, Terry Coombs wrote:   
   > On 3/24/2019 8:18 PM, Paul Drahn wrote:   
   >> On 3/24/2019 6:43 AM, songbird wrote:   
   >>> Paul Drahn wrote:   
   >>>> On 3/19/2019 8:34 PM, Terry Coombs wrote:   
   >>>>>     So I decided the easiest way to get mulch around the   
   >>>>> strawberries is   
   >>>>> to use shredded paper - but I'm unsure about what paper is safe .   
   >>>>> Useta   
   >>>>> be that glossy paper was not , but newsprint was . I *think* most   
   >>>>> modern   
   >>>>> inks are soy based and safe , but I'm not sure . It'd sure be nice to   
   >>>>> use all those spam mails for something productive instead of   
   >>>>> burning them .   
   >>>>>   
   >>>> We cover the strawberries with Ponderosa pine needles for the winter.   
   >>>> Then remove most of them in the Spring(about now). And leave some   
   >>>> needles to use as mulch when the new leaves begin to grow. Keeps   
   >>>> irrigation water off the berries, too.   
   >>>>   
   >>>> Paul in Central Oregon   
   >>>   
   >>>    hi Paul,   
   >>>   
   >>>    i don't recall you posting here before so welcome.  :)   
   >>>   
   >>>    if the plants are established i don't always bother   
   >>> mulching them for the winter at all.  this past winter   
   >>> was as bad as they can get for plants with too many   
   >>> times of bare ground and very cold chills down past   
   >>> -20F.  frost heave can pop late season transplanted   
   >>> crowns right out of the ground by spring.   
   >>>   
   >>>    this past fall i managed to get the strawberry patch   
   >>> done earlier in the fall/late summer and it looks like   
   >>> i have survivors enough.  just have to see how they   
   >>> green up and hope the spring isn't too crazy with the   
   >>> frosts when they are flowering.   
   >>>   
   >>>    some times i do put some pine needles on them but not   
   >>> every year - it comes down to how busy i am with other   
   >>> things and if i get to it.   
   >>>   
   >>>    i'm not sure what the irrigation water on the berries   
   >>> would do as far as i can tell the berries are in good   
   >>> shape here even with our normal rain falls.  as long as   
   >>> i get them picked when they are ripe.   
   >>>   
   >>>    to prevent mold and bug issues i pick everything that   
   >>> is ready even the berries that are partially eaten by   
   >>> chipmunks or birds.  there are some berries that the   
   >>> worms or wood lice will get after and i pick those too   
   >>> if i notice them.  any scraps that i can't eat will get   
   >>> fed to the worm bins (along with the tops/leaves).   
   >>>   
   >>>   
   >>>    songbird   
   >>>   
   >> I've lurked here for years, but seldom see anything to comment on.   
   >>   
   >> We live in the Central ORegon desert and have quite sandy soil,   
   >> Actually all volcanic ash! Water drops bounce up the sand and gets on   
   >> the berries and gives them a gritty texture, even after trying to wash   
   >> them. So, the pine needles break up the water drops, but still lets   
   >> the water get to the soil.   
   >>   
   >> The needles also help to keep the jeans clean when I have to kneel   
   >> down to pick the berries.   
   >>   
   >> Paul   
   >   
   >    Haven't I seen you post in some of the metalworking groups ?   
   >   
   Yes, occasionally there, as well   
      
   Paul   
      
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