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Good crops can be obtained
by planting in tubs or barrels used by cider and
vinegar makers. They need drilling with drainage
holes at the base, and also round the side at
intervals of about 37cm (15in). make the holes
large enough to take the roots with the foliage
outside the hole.
The tubs and barrels can be of any size and may
be placed in a courtyard where there is no garden.
They need some sunshine but strawberries will
grow well in semi-shade. First treat the tubs
with wood preservative (though being of oak, they
will usually be long lasting) and the iron bands
with paint or a rust proof material. Then place
a layer of crocks at the bottom, to cover the
drainage holes and to permit surplus moisture
to escape. Over the crocks, place a few turves,
grass side downwards, then fill up to within 2.5cm
(1in) of the top with prepared loam, peat and
decayed manure, mixed well together. Also, give
a handful of bone meal to each tub; twice that
amount to each barrel.
Plant 15cm (6in) apart in a tub and put a plant
in each hole in a barrel. Water from the top and,
from spring, keep the plants well supplied with
moisture, for they will obtain only limited amounts
naturally.
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