YOU Magazine | 33
a summer crop
STRAWBERRIES
Shona Bourke is this month’s winner with the following question:
Can strawberries grow all year round? Strawberries are really a summer crop producing ripe berries from November through till late January. They’re traditionally planted in the winter months so they can establish a well formed root system prior to spring growth. By growing your strawberry plants under plastic it is possible to pick your first strawberries a little earlier e.g: late October. Autumn and winter are the best times for preparing your future strawberry beds and for dreaming about the delicious strawberries you are going to grow! Sadly there is no way to produce your strawberries out of season. If you have existing strawberries in the garden now, side dress them with Daltons incredible edible® Strawberry Fertiliser in November to encourage good strong growth. But always be careful not to over fertilise your strawberry plants as this can lead to an enormous amount of green leaf growth instead of fruiting. Mulch around plants with pea straw, crushed bark or hay to keep a clean bed for the developing strawberries to lie on, as well as preventing disease and weeds. For more advice, read How to Grow Strawberries Guide at www.daltons.co.nz/home-gardening/how-to-guides.
FREE
Daltons Potted Colour pack
Growing flowers adds colour, beauty and fragrance to your garden. There are many varieties available from your local garden centre including perennials, annuals and biennials in different colours, shapes and sizes and to grow in traditional gardens, or in pots and containers to brighten up decks or courtyards. We have a Daltons Premium Flower pack(s) valued at $80 and it has everything you need to get your flowers blooming. Each pack contains 2 x Daltons Premium Flower bed mix (40 litre) and 1 x Daltons Premium Potting mix (15 litre), 1 x Daltons Premium Rose and Flower Fertiliser. PLUS you’ll receive a pair of comfortable, versatile Red Back garden gloves from Omni Products www.omniproducts.co.nz.
Be in to win Email goodies@theguardian.co.nz with Daltons Potted Colour Pack in the subject heading, or write to Potted Colour Pack giveaway, Box 77, Ashburton.
For more advice, read How to Grow Strawberries Guide at www.daltons.co.nz/home-gardening/how-to-guides.
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: • • •
You must provide a gardening question for the Daltons experts to answer. Please include your address and phone number in email and letter options! Giveaway entries must be received by December 2.
For more information on Daltons products visit www.daltons.co.nz
All questions supplied are entered into the draw to win a Daltons prize pack, but the Guardian reserves the right to choose which questions and answers will be published. Daltons post the prize to our lucky winner.