A strawberry bed in a few days without supervision is capable of overgrowing so that the aisles will not be visible. If everything is left as it is, then after some time, uncontrolled growth will negatively affect the harvest. There are 2 ways to solve the problem: to dig out everything or to cultivate a neglected plot.
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Overgrowth due to self seeding
Almost always, gardeners leave deformed berries on the bush, and very often their seeds germinate. On one fruit, an average of 80-350 ripens, depending on the variety and size. As a result, many new bushes from low-quality material, but very viable, appear on the garden bed. Their varietal characteristics will be much worse than the original seedlings. The berries ripen with a changed taste, sometimes bitterness is present, their color is often darker or, conversely, remains light pink.
Mustache reproduction
Whiskers on strawberries begin to grow actively after fruiting. On average, the bush gives 5-8 shoots, and their appearance must be constantly monitored. If summer residents appear on the site on weekends, then they all the time are faced with this problem. A strawberry bed without maintenance can fill up an empty space in one summer and turn it into a green carpet without gaps.
The problem was already there from the very beginning
Sometimes when buying land from previous owners, berry beds with their own history remain. In this case, you should find out from people as much information as possible about the variety, the method of cultivation and other agricultural techniques. If the condition of the strawberry does not inspire confidence and there is no clear explanation, then it is better to uproot it completely and replace it with fresh new bushes.
Strawberry rejuvenation
If the variety has been tested over the years, and it satisfies all requests, then it is worthwhile to start reviving the neglected garden. This at least will allow you not to spend money on seedlings, with which there is always the possibility of deception or re-grading. Large and strong bushes can begin to grow actively if they are provided with the missing conditions: space, water, food and light.
Stages of strawberry renewal for the season:
- Weak bushes are dug in April.
- During budding, abundantly flowering specimens are marked with pegs. The best are those with 2 peduncles or more.
- Bushes without buds are removed in June, even if they look healthy.
- Cull strawberries with crooked berries and barren flowers.
Simultaneous update
To obtain seedlings, do the following:
- Choose a bush with many buds and ripening large berries.
- The peduncles are cut off.
- They look after until the whiskers appear, leave the first outlet on each process, since it is the strongest. All subsequent ones also retain the varietal characteristics of the parent bush.
- After the roots appear, they are transplanted to a separate area.
- They are planted on a permanent bed in August-September.
During the forcing of the mustache, do not forget to feed the mother bush.
Renewing old strawberries
Planting crops require renewal every 3-4 years, then it begins to degenerate, and the yield decreases. Each season, horns appear on the main root - new plants with their own roots, which leads to the enlargement of the bush. The roots and foliage become cramped, and gradually the garden bed takes on a neglected and unkempt look. In these conditions, planting young bushes in the fall will save the situation.
Do you know how to make a new strawberry garden out of an old and neglected one?
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