I have grown alpines in containers for many years and prefer to grow them that way. They are very hardy. They were originally discovered high in the Swiss Alps. Plants that are well established in large pots need minimal protection. One option is to move them into an unheated shed. What I do is put a little fence around them making the enclosure at least 6″ larger than the pots and about 6″ taller. I then fill the space around the pots and on top of them with straw. Some people wrap their plants in bubble wrap or black roofing paper. I don’t advise that because both of those materials can cause heating and a freeze thaw cycle. All they need is some protection to moderate the temperatures and cut down the ups and downs.
April 25, 2010
January 7, 2010
December 17, 2009
A Great Link about Mulching Your Strawberries
Cornell always has great information, especially about strawberries. Here is an article that I read today. Check it out. If you haven’t mulched yet, go out and get some straw and do it today.
http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/Berries/strawpdf/strwintermulch.pdf
Comments? Questions?
Mid Atlantic Berry Guide
I get a lot of questions about growing strawberries in general. Here is one of a number of great resources. It’s called the Mid-Atlantic Berry guide and includes strawberries and other types of berries. It has a wealth of information that can be used to grow other species of strawberries like alpines. Garden varieties and alpine strawberries have very similar needs in terms of nutrition and other needs. Here’s a link to this guide:
http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/MAberryGuide.htm