High beds for strawberries: Finnish growing technology, planting agrotechnics

It is difficult to achieve high yields of heat-loving crops in regions with short summers. However, the organization of high beds for strawberries according to the Finnish growing technology allows you to do this. This method involves the use of covering material, thanks to which the soil warms up faster, and the crop matures earlier and takes root better.

Basic Growing Principles

To grow a crop using Finnish agricultural technology, you will need to purchase a special covering material that provides mulching of the plant. The cultivation method allows the first harvest 7-8 weeks after planting.

This rate of appearance of ripe berries is explained by the fact that due to the covering material, the soil warms up faster. This method also protects the plant from pests and prevents the growth of weeds.

It is possible to achieve high yields with the help of Finnish technology, provided that early-ripening strawberry varieties are used. It is also important to follow the principles of planting. The crop in the garden should be placed at a distance of 25-30 centimeters.

Advantages and disadvantages of the method

Finnish agricultural technology has several advantages over traditional methods:

• a favorable nutrient environment is created due to the accumulation of nitrate nitrogen in the upper soil layer;
• increases the activity of microorganisms that ensure plant growth;
• no weeds;
• provides a stable level of humidity;
• rooting of outlets is prevented;
• the presentation of the berries is preserved, since the fruits do not come into contact with the ground;
• the soil warms up evenly.

The only downside to this method is that it requires black polyethylene film, which is made in Finland.

What do you need for the Finnish method?

According to Finnish technology, strawberries are planted in one or two rows. In both cases, a black film (mulch cover) is used with a width of 1 and 1.2-1.3 meters, respectively. It is this material that ensures the rapid ripening of strawberries. However, the use of black film has a number of disadvantages:

• drip irrigation will be required to ensure plant growth;
• due to high humidity, mold forms under the film and slugs accumulate;
• on hot days, the soil warms up quickly, which will require hay mulching over strawberries.

During frost, condensation forms under the film. To prevent such a consequence, it is necessary to fill an 8-cm layer of sawdust under the material.

In addition to the black film, a white coating is used to grow the crop. Such material is devoid of the disadvantages listed above. However, when using a white coating, the soil warms up longer, which affects the rate of ripening of berries. Agrofibre can also replace the black film. The disadvantage of this material is that the soil under the cover dries out faster, as a result of which the strawberries have to be watered more often.

Selection of the right variety

In Finland, when growing strawberries with covering material, Rumba and Korona varieties are used. Bounty, Honey and Senga Sengana are also quite popular.Regardless of the variety chosen, before planting and forming beds, it is necessary to prepare a garden plot.

Growing Rules

The difference between Finnish and traditional cultivation techniques can be seen in the fact that this method involves the use of covering materials and the organization of drip irrigation. Because of these features, the rules for caring for a crop after planting are changing.

Choose covering material for strawberries

Black film and agrofibre provide a similar result. The first material ensures the rapid ripening of strawberries, however, it requires the organization of a separate irrigation system. Therefore, black film is often recommended for planting crops over large areas. Agrofibre prevents the formation of condensate and the accumulation of slugs near the bushes.

But this material contributes to the drying up of the soil, as a result of which the plant needs to be watered more often. Therefore, agrofibre is suitable for growing strawberries in small areas.

Choose a place for strawberry beds

Plants with good illumination are suitable for planting crops. The plant is not recommended for growing in shaded areas. Lack of sunlight will result in lower yields and reduced berry size. In addition, strawberries will get sick more often because of this.

The plant is recommended to be planted in soil with a low acid content or neutral pH. It is optimal if strawberries grow where legumes or cereals were previously planted. Also suitable are areas where plants have not been grown for 2-3 years. Planting strawberries next to nightshade crops is prohibited.

Site preparation

Strawberries are planted in pre-prepared soil. To do this, in the fall, it will be necessary to add humus, rotted manure and compost (5-6 kilograms), as well as nitroammophoska (35 grams) to the soil (per one square meter).Next, the soil is dug up and loosened. Before planting the crop, weeds must be removed.

After the spring comes, the bed should be loosened again, breaking large clods of earth. Then you need to wait one week for the soil to settle.

Organization of beds and irrigation systems

The beds are recommended to be located from north to south. Such an organization will ensure uniform heating of the plants. The width of each bed (assuming a single-level planting) is 90 centimeters. Row spacing must exceed 65 centimeters.

Each bed is recommended to be raised above the site by 10 centimeters, pouring a sufficient amount of earth. This will provide better ground heating. In Finland, the beds are often additionally strengthened with a wooden frame, which will prevent soil subsidence. To do this, it is necessary to put together boards up to 50 centimeters wide. Then the wooden frame is placed on the bed and fixed at the corners with high racks.

The second option is suitable for growing strawberries in the southern regions. Raised beds are better ventilated, reducing the risk of gray mold or powdery mildew.

After the formation of the beds, it is necessary to organize drip irrigation. This will require a garden hose of a suitable length. On the one hand, you need to put a plug that will prevent water from flowing out. Next, small holes should be made along the entire length and the hose should be dug into the ground to a depth of 5-10 centimeters.

At the end, covering material is laid out on the soil. After that, the agrofibre or black film is stretched and fixed in the corners with stones or boards. Holes with a diameter of 30 centimeters are marked on the surface of the material, for strawberries in a checkerboard pattern (if the crop is planted in 2 rows) and in increments of 30-40 centimeters. You can cut through the film and agrofibre with a knife (preferably a clerical one) or a pointed pipe.

Planting strawberry seedlings in the garden

Before planting, strawberry seedlings should be soaked for half an hour in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Also, appropriate purchased products are suitable for disinfecting a plant. Strawberries are planted on a cloudy day or before dusk. This is necessary in order for the culture to take root.

The plant is planted in holes with a depth equal to the length of the root system. Pour 500 milliliters of water into each hole. After planting, cover the root system with soil, leaving the center of the outlet free. The plant is then re-watered.

Features of care

Strawberry loves watering with warm water. To prevent the death of the plant, it is recommended to regularly treat the bushes from pests and remove yellowed or dried leaves.

Feeding strawberries

For the first time, fertilizers are applied in the spring, using a mixture of cow manure (1 part) and water (10 parts) or nitroammophoska (1 tablespoon) and water (10 liters). Under each bush you need to pour one liter of the resulting composition.

The second dressing is applied after harvest. The following mixtures are suitable for this:

• 100 grams of ash and 10 liters of water;
• 2 tablespoons of nitrophoska, a teaspoon of potassium sulfate and 10 liters of water;
• 2 tablespoons of potassium nitrate and 10 liters of water.

Under each bush, 500 milliliters of one of the described mixtures is added. For the third time, strawberries are fed with mullein with water in September.

Irrigation

Culture requires regular watering with warm water. At the same time, it is necessary to avoid swamping (waterlogging) of the site.

Treatment from diseases and pests

In order to prevent infection, the culture is sprayed twice: in spring and autumn. To prevent diseases, strawberries are treated with a solution of 110 milliliters of Fitosporin M and 30 liters of water.In case of infection, the culture is recommended to be sprayed with a mixture of similar ingredients, taken in a ratio of 1:20. For every 10 square meters of the site, 1 liter of such a solution will be required.

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