Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2003
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/kidsgardening.html

Gardening with Kids
May 2003
Jan Decker, Junior Gardeners' Club Coordinator

    This project has the potential to get real juicy. Or, since it's
close to Mother's Day we could call it a mother/daughter project
(although guys will enjoy it, too). You will need a "mother" strawberry
plant and you are going to grow babies, also referred to as "daughter" 
plants.

    To start, place some small flower pots with saucers around a
strawberry plant with runners (the long, thin stems on which the babies
form). Fill the pots with ferti-lome Ultimate Potting Mix and press it
down. Place a baby plant in each pot and hold it in place with a hairpin
over the runner. Water all the pots and check daily to make sure they
never get too dry. When tiny new leaves sprout you'll know the babies
have rooted. When they feel firmly rooted, cut the runners from the
parent plant. As the plants grow, they will need to be placed in the
garden or in larger pots.

    Johnson's also has strawberry pots that make an attractive,
space-saving way to grow your plants. Place the larger plant in the top
and grow the babies in the little balconies around the pot.

    As always, you can get more detailed information on growing
strawberries from our expert staff, in-store handouts and on our web
site.