In other words these young and tender plants need to be 'hardened off' so they can withstand the cool night time temperatures. In fact continued protection should be provided during the early stages using cloches or perforated plastic sheets. Tall indeterminate types may be planted 40 to 45 cm apart alongside supports about 1.2 m tall. The bush types can be planted between 30 to 45 cm apart and usually these do not require supporting, although a mulch layer or support so the fruit is not lying upon the ground will prevent soil from contaminating the fruit or attacked by slugs. Side shoots of indeterminate types should be regularly removed at an early stage of development so that growth is directed into fruit production.
Potash supply is particularly important for the development of flavour.
Depending upon the location, it is advisable to stop further growth in late summer by removing the growing tip, leaving one leaf above the late formed trusses. Typically 3 to 5 trusses can be carried per plant grown out doors and the process of stopping will ensure that all will complete their development before the onset of colder weather. Remove lower leaves when they show signs of senescence. For maximum flavour fruit should be permitted to develop their full colour on the plant before harvesting. At the end of summer ripening of fruit can be accelerated by removing the stakes and laying the still-rooted plants on a layer of straw before covering with cloches.