By Jiak
United Kingdom 
I am a very inexperienced gardener but trying to learn
I am growing strawberries in a bed for the first time they are coming on well and I think I am nearly ready to put straw under the fruits. My question is ... How do I water my plants will I not soak the straw and cause it to rot?
Is that a concern or should I just water as normal with a hosepipe?
28 May, 2020
Answers
Thanks for that, it would be too much of a pain to move the straw I think
28 May, 2020
The straw is merely to keep the ripening berries off the soil so they are clean when picked. We have never bothered for years as we found when we did that slugs lived under the straw and ate the strawberries.
The straw is going to begin to decompose anyway, but it does take a long time for it to do that so water away. You could always pull the straw to one side when you water if you have the time.
28 May, 2020