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It's been very dry lately, so I've had to water my crops on a daily basis. The poor plants need every drop they can get as my allotment has turned into a dustbowl.Despite the dry conditions, my strawberries have been fantastic this year. I've got

them well watered in dry weather.Clean straw or synthetic mulch fabricProtective nettingSeep hose (optional)April - June 20 minutesharvest from June to JulyWeed around your strawberry plants and remove any dead or dying leaves. Lift the foliage

.AdamTo help rooting, use a soil mix of three parts compost to one part sand.More advice on growing fruitGrow early strawberriesProtecting strawberriesTackle grey mould on soft fruitsMonty Don's favourite fruit varieties

and drawn. 3 strawberry plants (pot-grown or lifted from the garden)Large pot or hanging basketMulti-purpose compostJanuary - April20 minutes harvest May - JunePlant two or three strawberry plants in a hanging basket or large pot of multi-purpose compost

growing strawberries in pots. If I had more space outside, I'd build a 'berry bed' with a proper net-clad frame over it to keep birds away from ripening fruits. Blackbirds in particular have a nose for strawberries. They're not very good at sharing, so

.A thick layer of grey mould develops on soft fruits.The fungus survives on plant debris, so to reduce the risk of infection keep the soil clear around your soft fruit canes, and remove any damaged fruits.raspberries, strawberries, blackberries

pollinating insects.Water well to settle the compost and encourage the roots to grow. Start feeding once flowering has finished.AdamMix water-retaining gel and slow-release feed granules into the compost before planting.Don't plant strawberry plants too deep

. The adults have six legs and a pair of antennae, moving in the open at night, chewing the edges of leaves. This isn't itself a problem, but the fact that each adult is a female, laying almost 1,000 eggs in summer, is alarming.Holes and notches chewed out

scrambling through the daisy-like plant fleabane, which will flower all summer.March - April July - September40 minutesAlpine strawberry plants x3Mexican fleabane, Erigeron karvinskianus x2Large wall potMulti-purpose compostCrocksFix the pot securely

've listed some of my favourite fruits below.Plants grow up to 1.8m and bear sweet berries from July. Best suited to large, sheltered plots.Good soft fruit varietiesBlackcurrant 'Boskoop Giant'Grows well in shade and on heavy soil. It forms red berries