strawberry 'Sonata' (PBR)

strawberry - mid season fruiting

• Position: full sun
• Soil: any soil
• Rate of growth: fast-growing
• Other features: tasty, orange-red fruit (late-June to mid-July) Cropping times may be brought forward or extended if you are growing them in a greenhouse or cloche tunnel.
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Bumper crops of large fruits that have a deliciously sweet taste and firm flesh, can be harvested from late june on this recently introduced strawberry. It is said to have a much lower incidence of producing misshapen fruits than many other types.
  
  
• Garden care: Prepare the ground well before planting. Clear all the weeds and dig in lots of well-rotted manure. When planting out, space the plants at 45cm intervals with 75cm between each row and apply a generous layer of mulch around the base of the plants, being careful to avoid the crown. When the strawberries are starting to form, put a thick layer of straw or use strawberry mats under the plants to stop the fruit touching the soil. Sheets of black plastic mulch can also be used, and it will also help retain soil moisture, reduce weeds and encourage early cropping. Strawberries can also be planted in tubs, containers and hanging baskets.

These runners are sent out bare root (ie not potted up) and should be planted on arrival. They will look dry on delivery, but should put on new growth within a few weeks after planting.