How to plant strawberries in open ground: when it's right, preparing the beds and the scheme

Of all the berry crops, strawberries are the most beloved and popular. Despite the constant care of the plant and the difficult technology of cultivation, the berry grows in all summer cottages. With care and love, they prepare beds for strawberries, choose varieties, plant and care for plants. Consider how to properly plant strawberries to get a high yield and protect the bushes from diseases.

Selecting planting material

Good seedlings take root better, bushes quickly grow, give large fruits. For planting, young rosettes are chosen that grow on the mustache. How to choose planting material from your own dacha:

1. Rosettes are taken from high-yielding, he althy bushes. The age of the bush is 2-3 years.
2. Rooted rosettes closest to the bush are chosen as planting material. You need to prepare them in advance by pinning the outlet to the ground. After harvest, they quickly grow.
3. Don't divide old dug bushes for transplanting.
4. Sockets are chosen with the most powerful roots - the green part is not so important.

When buying strawberry seedlings, pay attention to he althy leaves (at least 5), light developed roots. If the bushes with flower stalks, the buds should be large. It is better to purchase varieties of the first reproduction.

What kind of soil do strawberries like?

Strawberries give the best crop on loamy and sandy soils, although it is impossible to say that the culture is very demanding on the composition of the earth.On such soils, organic fertilizers have been applied to the site since autumn while digging and removing weeds. Consumption - 5 liters per square meter. They also improve the composition of complex mineral fertilizers.

Heavy soils lighten with peat, sand, sawdust. To reduce the acidity of peat, lime is used, it will make the composition neutral. Sawdust is soaked in urea for several days before application.

Best of all, strawberries grow on slightly acidic soil with a pH of about 6. Reduce acidity with lime or dolomite flour, with a lack - raise with peat. If groundwater is high on the site (above 0.8 meters), the beds are made bulk.

How far apart should strawberries be planted

There are several schemes for planting strawberries:

• single rows - distance between bushes - 25-30 centimeters, row spacing - 35-40 centimeters;
• in double rows - the distance between the bushes is 25-30 centimeters, the same distance with the neighboring row, the row spacing is 40-50 centimeters.

Some summer residents plant strawberries with a carpet or separate bushes in convenient places. Plants, when planted alone, are powerful, with a high yield and large berries. To choose the right distance between the bushes, you need to know the characteristics of the variety and the size of the plants.

Reference: it is allowed to plant different varieties of strawberries next to each other, since they do not have a negative effect on each other, pollination does not occur.

Where to plant on the plot

For strawberry plantations choose flat, well-lit areas without drafts. The place should be open, and shaded only a small part of the day. Lowlands where puddles accumulate and where cold air descends during frosts are not used for planting.

Slopes should also be avoided - snow blows off them in winter with strong winds, bushes remain defenseless against frost, in spring there is a risk of running water to expose the roots. A slope of no more than 5 ° is allowed.

We also note that strawberries like to coexist with parsley, garlic and legumes. Some summer residents even manage to plant garlic between strawberry rows.

Important: strawberries can grow in one place for no more than four years.

Timing

Strawberry planting is carried out in two time intervals:

1. Summer-autumn. Plants should take root well, so it is impossible to delay with autumn planting. They are waiting for the heat to leave and planted. On average - from mid-August to the end of September. The term is chosen according to the characteristics of the region. Planting strawberry seedlings in the fall gives a significant advantage, a full-fledged harvest will be the next year.
2. Spring. Planting is carried out when the soil has warmed up, and the threat of frost has passed, but before the start of real heat. Dates are selected based on the characteristics of the area - from April in the southern regions to May-early June in cold regions.

Note that it is necessary to prepare a bed for spring planting of strawberries in August-September. Bushes are planted in the absence of the sun - in the evening and morning hours or in cloudy weather.

Planting methods

Agricultural breeders and summer residents have developed several interesting and convenient ways to plant strawberries - everyone makes their own choice.

Trapezoid beds

This planting method helps to improve the drainage of the area under the strawberries. The ridge is raised above the general level of the garden, which is convenient with a high occurrence of groundwater. An earthen platform is made for plants, branches and dried grass are laid in the lower part.The edges are reinforced with a wooden or other frame. A fertile substrate and geofabric are laid on top of the ground, in the holes of which strawberries are planted.

Dignity - roots are inaccessible to pests, weeds do not grow. A warm bed protects against winter freezing of plants.

Film tunnels

This method of planting strawberries is best suited for early harvest and for areas with frequent cold spells. For a film shelter, arcs are placed on which the film is stretched, forming a greenhouse. Strawberries are in a warm greenhouse, where temperature and humidity are maintained. In case of frost, an additional film is pulled over the structure to protect it from hypothermia.

Such greenhouses need ventilation, with excessive humidity and high temperature - the film is removed to dry and cool.

Plastic bags

Mobile beds can be arranged in large volume plastic bags. They are filled with fertile soil, fertilized. Holes are made for planting strawberries. Provides complete watering.

Disadvantages - poor ventilation of the roots and rapid depletion of the soil, which will often have to be changed.

Vertical bed

Landing in a vertical direction - the choice of summer residents with a small area of the site. There are several basic ways to manufacture such structures; you can purchase a ready-made, factory-made (trukar).

Strawberries are planted in iron barrels, in large pots, plastic bottles, in PVC pipes, on wooden slides. Holes are made for planting bushes. It is important to provide for the possibility of watering and ensure proper drainage so that water does not stagnate in the lower part of the structure. The main disadvantages of this type of planting are a small amount of land for plants and the difficulty of shelter during frosts.

How to plant in open ground

The earth before planting is carefully dug up, the remains of rhizomes, larvae of May beetles and other insects are removed. If you plan to plant in the spring, you still need to prepare the soil in the fall.

After which you can and then you can not plant strawberries

Vegetables grown on the plot can facilitate the development of strawberries and make the land more productive. Therefore, it is important to observe crop rotation, taking into account the characteristics of plants. you can plant strawberries

Precursor vegetables dangerous for strawberries Tagetes Carrot Cabbage

Oats White mustard Lupin Vika Rapeseed Calendula	Radishes Beets Parsley Beans Radish Onion	Cucumbers Potatoes Tomatoes Eggplant Zucchini Pumpkin

In cold regions, in particular in the Leningrad region, it is useful to leave green manure in the ground in the winter, and plant strawberries in the spring.

How to plant seedlings?

Planting holes are made 15-30 centimeters deep, longer roots are shortened, as they should be placed vertically. Seedlings are treated with a solution of copper sulfate and a growth stimulator. Freshly dug rosettes are moistened and kept in a cool, dark place for several hours. Before resting, the roots are dipped in a solution of red clay.

When planting, it is important that the central kidney is half buried. It should not stick out above the ground or completely go into the soil. Excess leaves are removed, leaving the youngest (2-3). After planting, the seedlings are watered.

How to plant under black covering material?

The black film is stretched on the prepared bed and fixed along the edges. Landing sites are marked and cross-shaped cutouts are made for the holes. Watering is carried out through these holes in the future.

Planting in the hole is carried out according to the usual rules - the root is placed vertically, the kidney is half hidden.

How to plant seeds?

Strawberry seeds are grown using the following step-by-step method:

1. Disembarkation period - February-March.
2. Preparation of seeds. Seeds are treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Placed in a damp cloth and put for a day in a warm place (25-27 °). Then they are kept in the cold for 2 weeks (5 °, a refrigerator is suitable). All this time, maintain a constant moisture content of the fabric.
3. Prepare containers with loose, light potting mix. It is necessary to make grooves and deepen the seeds into the ground by 1-1.5 centimeters. Cover with foil and put in a warm, well-lit place.
4. Watering - as the soil dries, with a spray gun, after emergence - with a pipette under the root.
5. Feeding - complex mineral fertilizers.
6. Fungicide treatment for fungus.

Dive when 3 leaves appear.

Features of planting in a greenhouse

Self-pollinating remontant varieties are chosen for growing strawberries in greenhouses. Ideal for this, the favorite of all summer residents - Elizabeth 2.

The soil must be carefully disinfected, treated with fungicides, since at high humidity strawberries suffer from fungal diseases. The recommended humidity is 70-80%. When planting early, provide illumination for 12-14 hours.

The location of the beds is chosen based on the capabilities of the greenhouse, many prefer vertical cultivation. Seedlings are transplanted into greenhouses when it is possible to maintain a temperature of 20-22 °. We must not forget to open the greenhouse for ventilation.

Strawberry care

Caring for strawberries is simple, but constant care is required. After rains and watering, the earth is loosened to saturate with oxygen; mulching helps make maintenance easier.

Water and fertilize

Homemade strawberries are watered 1-2 times a week, avoiding water stagnation and drying out. The best time is morning and evening. Do not pour water on the leaves in bright sun to avoid burns. It is convenient to use drip irrigation systems in which you can dose the water supply. It is better to water with settled warm water so that the roots do not rot.

Feeding is carried out several times during the season:

• early spring - after the snow melts fertilizer with nitrogen (manure, chicken manure) for better growth of the green part;
• when flowering - complex mineral fertilizers with potassium, yeast, spraying with a solution with trace elements;
• at fruiting - organic fertilizers under the root, after fruiting - herbal infusion, urea;
• in autumn - for greater winter hardiness and recuperation (nitrophoska, ash, manure solution).

It is convenient to apply chelates for top dressing.

Tip: It is especially important to fertilize remontant varieties and vertical beds where strawberries grow in a small amount of land.

Processing

You need to loosen strawberries to a depth of 10 centimeters to create air flow to the roots. Weeds are removed along with the roots. With a large contamination of the area, herbicide treatment is carried out before planting strawberries on the site.

To avoid fungal and other diseases, the bushes are sprayed:

• infusion of hay;
• mustard infusion;
• infusion of garlic.

You can also sprinkle wood ash on bushes.

Cutting

Pruning strawberry bushes is carried out several times a season, carefully, trying not to damage the buds:

• in the spring they remove old leaves and make room for young greenery;
• in summer - cut out damaged leaves, remove unnecessary outlets, create comfortable conditions for growth for those who decide to leave;
• after full harvest - remove old leaves, making room for young ones;
• in autumn - the foliage is not completely removed, only diseased leaves are cut out and infected bushes are dug up.

The leaves are cut, leaving a short petiole, protecting the kidney from damage. In the first year, all rosettes are removed, allowing the strawberries to get stronger.

Mulching

When growing strawberries, experienced summer residents recommend using soil mulching. This not only reduces the need for frequent watering and protects against weeds, but also protects the berries from soil contamination and decay.

Two classes of materials are used as mulch - organic and synthetic fabrics. After digging, organic matter loosens the soil and turns into a full-fledged fertilizer for garden strawberries. Materials used:

• straw, hay;
• dry grass;
• sawdust;
• peat, rotted compost;
• soil substrate of coniferous forest - needles, cones, small twigs;
• geotextile.

Often less traditional materials are used for mulch - paper, moss. Recall that the materials are treated with fungicides and the top layer is regularly replaced.

Preparing for winter

For a successful wintering of strawberries, the following activities are carried out:

• removal of diseased leaves and bushes, do not cut off the entire green part;
• treatment from pests and diseases (Bordeaux liquid);
• watering - abundance depending on the weather;
• top dressing - any kind of organic matter.

Sheltering and mulching is carried out in regions where there is a risk of freezing strawberries. Shelter with mulch or earth is used even in warm regions, they will protect when there is a lack of snow.

Disease and pest control

Throughout the season, bushes are inspected, diseased leaves and plants are removed. Preventive treatment helps to avoid infection in spring and autumn, when there is no flowering and fruit yet. Of the strawberry diseases, most are fungal in nature - fusarium, late blight, gray rot.For treatment, fungicides are used (Alirin, Vectra, colloidal sulfur, copper sulfate). Breed according to instructions.

Among the most common pests:

• nematode;
• whitefly;
• aphid;
• Medvedka;
• weevil;
• strawberry mite.

The choice of the drug is carried out after the detection of insects. Apply Inta-Vir, Karbofos, Commander. Processing from diseases and pests is carried out simultaneously with top dressing, it is better - prophylactically.

What to plant next year after strawberries

After moving the strawberry plantation to another site, the following crops grow well in its place:

• carrot;
• legumes;
• greens;
• cabbage;
• garlic.

Some summer residents breed gourds on a strawberry plot. If it is possible not to occupy this area for vegetables, it is worth planting green manure.

Possible landing errors

Let's consider the most common mistakes of inexperienced gardeners that prevent the full growth of strawberries:

1. Wrong timing. Plants suffer from heat or cold, do not have time to get stronger and take root.
2. They made a mistake with the variety - the bushes are low-yielding, the plant's strength goes into greenery (Zhmurka, Dubnyak).
3. Excessively long roots had to be bent, resulting in poor strawberry development.
4. Sick plants planted - no preplant treatment.
5. The bud is too deep in the ground or too raised.
6. Lack of top dressing - the yield is small, the berries are small.
7. Incorrectly chosen fertilizer - excessive growth of the green part, the fruits are not tied.

Strawberries love sunny areas and grow poorly in the shade - the berries are small and sour. Growing delicious large strawberries is the dream of every summer resident. After the end of fruiting, the worries of summer residents do not end. You have to work on a strawberry plantation all season. Only with constant care will the bushes give a bountiful harvest, and the berries will delight in size, taste and aroma.

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