Planting Strawberries In Spring In Open Ground: Terms And Instructions

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Strawberries: Secrets of Planting in Spring

Strawberries, as garden strawberries are mistakenly called, are so tasty and aromatic that the difficulties of caring for this very capricious crop do not stop gardeners and summer residents. Planting strawberry seedlings correctly is essential for a good harvest. Spring planting has a number of features.

Pros and cons of planting strawberries outdoors in spring

You can plant garden strawberries in the spring or in the autumn-summer period. Spring planting has several advantages:

• strawberry seedlings planted in spring manage to take root well over the summer and endure wintering more easily;
• non-established specimens can be easily replaced;
• Plants planted in spring require less watering due to the accumulated spring melt water in the soil.

A significant drawback of planting strawberries in spring, which gardeners note, is the poor harvest of the current season. A decent amount of berries can only be expected next year.

In some cases, spring planting of strawberries is most preferable.

Estimated dates for planting operations:

• in warm southern regions with mild climatic conditions, strawberry seedlings can be transplanted into the ground in the first half of March;
• in the middle lane, where the climate is more temperate, the berry is equipped from mid-April to early May;
• in the northern regions with a harsh climate, strawberry planting begins closer to mid-May.

In case of recurrent frosts, strawberries are covered with agrofibre or film

In Siberia, strawberries have to be planted only in spring, since plants planted in late summer or autumn very often die from severe frosts. Moreover, you have to hurry, since planting work needs to be done in the first two weeks of May. Otherwise, then it becomes too hot, and the berry bushes do not take root well.

Video: when is it better to plant strawberries

Step-by-step instructions for planting strawberries in spring

For the organization of strawberry beds, an open, even (slope not more than 2-3 °) and well-lit area is selected. Strawberries will not grow in lowland and wetlands. The best soils for this berry culture will be sandy loam, medium loam and black soil with an optimal acidity level of pH 5.5–6.5. Heavy soils are loosened by adding sand (½ bucket per 1 m ²), a little clay is added to overly loose sandy soils (5–6 kg per 1 m ²).

Strawberry beds must be prepared in advance

The landing site is prepared in advance, preferably in the fall. The soil is dug to a depth of at least 25–30 cm, while picking up the roots of perennial weeds. During the digging, fertilizers are applied at the rate of 1 m ²:

• superphosphate - 50-60 g;
• potassium sulfate - 15–20 g;
• compost or humus - 8-9 kg (you can use fresh horse manure - 5 kg).

There are specialized fertilizers for strawberries, which can also be used when planting in spring.

Approximately 3-4 weeks before planting, the soil is disinfected with hot (+ 65… + 70 ° C) lime mortar. The composition is prepared from 0.5 kg of lime and a bucket of water, with the addition of copper sulfate (50 g). The consumption of the working solution used for watering the beds will be about 1 liter per 1 m ².

The following are used as planting material:

• last year's layers (mustache) left in the fall;
• new plants purchased from the market, nursery, gardening shop, etc.;
• seedlings grown from seeds;
• adult overgrown bushes, divided into several parts with their own root system and a heart (growth point) with 3-4 leaves.

Before planting, seedlings must be prepared:

• tear off the extra sheets, leaving no more than 5-6 pieces;
• cut too long roots (up to 10 cm);
• disinfect the root system by dipping it into a pink solution of potassium permanganate (2-3%) for 2-3 minutes;
• for better rooting, treat with any growth stimulant (Zircon, Epin, Kornevin, etc.), guided by the attached instructions.

Strawberry seedlings need to be prepared before planting

For planting work, it is better to choose a cool and cloudy day, it can even be rainy, since strawberries take root much worse in the heat. If the weather is hot, dry, then young berry plantings must be protected from the scorching sun with any non-woven covering material (spunbond, lutrasil, agrotex, etc.).

The technology of planting strawberries in open ground consists of the following sequential steps:

1. Dig planting holes with a diameter of about 0.3 m and a depth of 0.35–0.4 m, leaving at least 0.3 m between them;

2. Fertilizers are applied to the bottom of each hole:

   • crushed wood ash - 40–45 g;

   • well-rotted manure (humus) or garden compost - 1–1.5 kg.

     

     Humus and ash are poured into the dug holes

3. Add some garden soil and mix thoroughly.
4. The hole is filled with water (settled and warmed up) and wait until it is absorbed.
5. Plants are planted "in the mud". Place the seedling in the hole, straighten the roots.

6. Holding the bush with your hand so that the growth point remains above the soil level, the hole is filled with earth.

   

   When planting strawberries, it is necessary to ensure that the growth point is above ground level

7. They compact the soil by forming a depression around the plant for watering.
8. Very well watered.

In order to keep moisture in the soil for a longer time, it is necessary to mulch the plantings of garden strawberries with a layer of 3-5 cm from fresh straw, sawdust, humus, peat, pine needles, freshly cut grass, etc. At the same time, such a protective bedding will allow the berries to stay clean and protect them from rot.

After watering, planting strawberries must be mulched

Video: planting garden strawberries in spring

Competently and on time agrotechnical measures for the spring planting of garden strawberries allow you to grow healthy strong plants and get from them a harvest of extremely tasty, aromatic and healthy berries this year, as well as lay the foundation for more abundant fruiting for the next summer.