Strawberries are one of the most beloved berries because they are not only tasty, but also very healthy. It is not only a sweet tasty berry, it is also a multitude of vitamins, no fats and an excellent aphrodisiac.
Among all the variety of varieties, ordinary strawberries and remontant strawberries are distinguished. The latter bears fruit before frost, although its berries are smaller than those of ordinary ones, but sweet. Both types of strawberries need good and fertile soil, you also need to choose a site well lit by the sun.
Planting strawberries should be carried out according to strict rules, and strawberry seedlings should also be selected with all care, the future harvest depends on the seedlings.
How to choose seedlings, how to prepare the soil, how to plant strawberries in your garden, we will consider in this article.
Choosing a place for strawberries
Choose a place that is sunny, not swampy, protected from the winds and well nourished. It is undesirable to use places with a steep slope. Despite the fact that strawberries love moisture, excess water slows down the growth of bushes and reduces yields. When choosing a place, you also need to take into account crop rotation, plant strawberries after cruciferous plants (cabbage, lettuce, mustard, rapeseed, radish, radish). Planting strawberries in the same place is not recommended. It is necessary to observe at least 5 years so that the soil gets rid of viruses, diseases and pests inherent in strawberries. And the soil itself cannot restore its strength in a short time, which means give a good harvest.
If groundwater rises close to the surface of the earth, in this case, the beds are made from 10 to 40 cm high, and strawberries are planted on high beds.
When to plant strawberries
The best time to plant strawberry seedlings is April or August(early September). But planted strawberries in the spring will not yield a harvest, and autumn planting is good because the seedlings take root well, overwinter well, and actively begin to grow in the spring. There are exceptions to every rule, if the autumn is hot and dry, plant strawberries in the spring!
High-quality seedlings – a rich harvest
It is better to buy seedlings of berries in special stores that sell varieties zoned for this area. In the bazaars, you can buy something completely different from what you thought, because you need to select a mustache for seedlings correctly. Only the first bush from the base of the mustache is taken for seedlings, in extreme cases, you can ask your friends for beautiful seedlings. You can grow strawberry seedlings using seeds. This is especially convenient when breeding a still uncommon variety. The effort spent will be rewarded with a bountiful harvest.
How to plant strawberries
Before planting strawberries, the soil must be fed with mineral fertilizer (superphosphate). You need to plant strawberries in shallow holes according to the scheme: between rows 90 cm; between plants in a row 25 cm. Such a distance between plants will allow the root system to develop at full strength, the bushes will grow strong, and give a rich harvest in the future.
At the bottom of each hole, you need to put compost or rotted manure and a spoonful of wood dust, water thoroughly. We put seedlings in the prepared holes, sprinkle with earth, press the soil around the bush with our hands. After planting, we water the strawberries thoroughly.
Strawberry care
Caring for strawberries consists in timely weeding, watering in dry weather, fertilizing, mulching, and sheltering plants for the winter.
Watering strawberries
Strawberries need to be watered regularly, avoiding long breaks. If moisture does not arrive for more than 2 weeks, it can greatly reduce yields.
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Weeding strawberries
Make sure that there are no weeds between the rows. Also, strawberries are planted under a film, this method of planting is very convenient, since the bed does not need to be weeded, mulched, the berries will be clean when harvested.
Fertilizer for strawberries
You need to feed strawberries 3 times a season. The first time – as soon as it snows (1 tablespoon of ammonium sulfate and 2 cups of mullein per 10 liters of water), 0.5-1 liter of liquid top dressing must be poured under each strawberry bush, depending on the size of the bush. The second time is in the summer, towards the end of July after harvesting the main crop of berries (1 glass of vermicompost per 10 liters of water is infused for a day, then diluted in half with water; 100 grams of wood ash per 10 liters of water (or scattered under the bushes)). Under each bush you need to pour about 0.5 liters of fertilizer. The third time young (annual) plants especially need top dressing (1 part mullein to 10 parts water + 0.5 cups of wood ash)) in order to successfully overwinter. Each bush will be enough from 250 to 500 ml. such fertilizer.
Mulching
It is necessary to mulch strawberry bushes. Then it will not be necessary to fight weeds, after 15 cm of a layer of mulch, weeds will not germinate and the earth will be constantly moist. Mulch retains moisture evaporation.
Pests and diseases
Prevention of strawberry diseases includes: loosening the soil; weeding; collection of dry and diseased leaves and strawberries; spraying with Bordeaux liquid (3-4%).
To combat a huge number of strawberry pests, various methods are used: mechanical removal of slugs,frogs, snails and centipedes; the use of chemicals; the use of herbal infusions and decoctions. Some gardeners grow onions and garlic between strawberry bushes. These bulbs have phytoncides that drive away pests and diseases from strawberries.
The right place for planting strawberries, following our planting tips, purchasing high-quality planting material and diligent care of the beds will give you large, juicy, sweet strawberries.
