Strawberries are one of the first to wake up, and already in April they require attention. Many people rush to cut off old leaves, but this is where the main mistake lies.
It turns out that dry leaves protect the roots from temperature changes and retain moisture.
Should I remove dry leaves?
It should be removed no earlier than when stable heat is established, and this should be done carefully so as not to damage the new shoots.
Use sharp scissors rather than pulling out leaves with your hands, as this can cause you to pull out part of the rhizome from the ground.
After harvesting, loosen the soil between the bushes, but no deeper than 3–4 cm, so as not to touch the surface roots.
What to do next
After cleaning the garden bed, it is important to feed the plants. The ideal option is a complex fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
But there is also a budget alternative: nettle infusion. Pour fresh greens with water, let it ferment for a week, dilute 1:10 and water the bushes. This will not only saturate the strawberries with nutrients, but also protect them from diseases.
If you don't have nettles, sourdough will do: soak crusts of black bread in water for 5-7 days, strain and use for watering. The yeast in the composition stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria in the soil.
Don't forget about mulching
A layer of straw, sawdust or agrofibre will retain moisture, prevent weed growth and protect the berries from rotting. But do not use fresh grass - it can cause mold.
If you mulch with sawdust, mix it with ash to avoid acidifying the soil. An interesting life hack: place spruce or pine needles under the bushes. They will scare away slugs and give the berries a light pine aroma.
Special attention should be paid to watering
Strawberries love moisture, but do not tolerate stagnant water. Water in the morning, under the root, avoiding contact with the leaves.
In a dry spring, you can organize drip irrigation from plastic bottles: make holes in the lids, bury the containers upside down next to the bushes and fill with water as needed.
To increase the harvest, try planting garlic between the rows - its phytoncides will repel pests.
Strawberries also respond well to iodine: add 10 drops of a pharmaceutical solution to 10 liters of water and spray the leaves before flowering. This will strengthen the plant's immunity and protect it from gray mold. But don't overdo it - too much iodine can burn the foliage.
If you notice that the bushes are blooming poorly, feed them with boric acid (2 g per 10 l of water). Boron stimulates the formation of ovaries.
But it is better to avoid nitrogen fertilizers after flowering begins - they will force the strawberry to grow foliage to the detriment of the berries.
And don’t forget to remove the runners if you don’t plan to propagate the plants: they deplete the bush.
Author: Igor Zur