Strawberry plants...

[rabbit]

So yet another thread from me, sorry guys.

I ordered some strawberry plants. They're a lot of roots and a small little green nub. Thewyre to go in half barrels. Will it be too cold to plant them this week or must I get them out ASAP? I have some fleece I could cover with but the compost hasnt been warmed or anything.

[Aberdeenplotter]

don't apologise for asking questions. If you don't know something, how else willyou find out.? Personally, I'd give them a good soak and then plant in to small pots in good compost.Keep in in a coldframe or cold greenhouse until the worst of the weather is past and then plant them out.

[rabbit]

Will seedling compost do? Its all I have for now, But I can put chicken manure pellets in if needs be.

Also need to scrounge some glass for the cold frame lid.

[Nicos]

They are much hardier than you expect.
I left ( accidentally)a carrier bag full in my garage which I'd intended to put into pots.
That year we had -18C at night for at least 3 weeks...and the vast majority of them survived.

I would say there's no hurry- but as AP suggests- a good soak would do them no harm.

I'd put them out now into the barrels and cover with fleece ( to give them a head start.
When planting out in this weather I tend to put warm water into the compost/soil to moisten it first.

A mixture of seed compost and soil would be fine.

See- no harm in asking- we'll all come up with different answers!!!

[Alison]

I'd not really bother soaking them as you can run the risk of rotting them. I've not had any bare root for a few years but have quite happily just shoved them into 3" pots for a couple of months and they've rooted well - these have then either been left out with no protection or in the unheated greenhouse with the occasional water. Not bothered feeding until they've gone into their final location. Might not be ideal but I've never lost one yet, as said above, they're very hardy / forgiving which is always a bonus

[Newton]

Just make sure the crown is proud of the soil.....do not bury it?