What if we told you that the size and sweetness of strawberries depends not on fertilizers, but on proper watering?
Most summer residents fill their beds with water, thinking that this will make the berries juicier.
In fact, this leads to root rot and crop loss. The secret is to water no more than twice a week, but generously, directing the stream directly under the root.
Strawberries also love whey. Dilute it with water in a 1:3 ratio and spray the bushes - this will protect against fungus and saturate the soil with calcium.
But the main life hack is the "whiskers". Do not tear them off only if you are going to grow the variety you like.
To do this, leave 1-2 of the strongest shoots on each plant, digging them into separate cups with soil. By autumn, you will have new powerful bushes that will yield a harvest the following year.
And don't forget about mulch made from pine needles - it will repel slugs and add aroma to the berries.
But that's not all. For strawberries to be sweet, they need stress.
Two weeks before ripening, reduce watering by half - the berries will begin to accumulate sugar.
And for size, feeding with banana peels is important: fill it with water for a week and water the bushes. Potassium from the peels will make the fruits larger.
Another secret is protection from birds. Don't hang scarecrows - they quickly get used to it. Instead, place red glass balls on the bed. Birds will peck them, understand that they are inedible, and lose interest in the berries.
And finally: never plant strawberries after potatoes or tomatoes!
These crops leave fungi in the soil that will destroy your bushes. The best predecessors are onions or garlic. They disinfect the soil and repel pests.
And if you want a harvest from June to September, plant remontant varieties. Just keep in mind: they require more fertilizer. Feed them with ash once a month - and you will be picking berries even in October.
It is also important to remember that folk recipes do not always guarantee a 100% result, but many people trust them.
Author: Igor Zur