With the arrival of spring, the strawberry plantation requires increased attention. Armed with our gardening tools, we look forward to the last snow melting. What procedures do berry bushes need to start healthy growth with the first rays of spring? Today I will tell you how to care for the plant in early spring, so that you can eat plenty of sweet fragrant strawberries in summer.
We clean up all unnecessary
First of all, we will examine the garden bed. If the winter was little snow and frosty, there is a high probability of freezing of the bushes. It is necessary to remove the covering material and old mulch. Use sharp scissors or pruning shears to carefully cut out dead and rotten leaves. I advise you to burn the trash to avoid the spread of infection and pests.
Isn't it time to rejuvenate the plantation?
Strawberries need rejuvenation at least once every 4-5 years. Some gardeners prefer to transplant the berry in the spring, while others at the end of summer. In my opinion, planting and replanting strawberries in spring have a number of advantages:
- seedlings are most likely to take root due to high soil moisture;
- the planting material is healthier and hardened.
Spring planting strawberries
Choose only healthy seedlings for planting berries. Remember that strawberry loves bright and sublime places. Loamy and sandy loam soils are quite suitable for its cultivation. Observe the principle of neighborhood. I do not recommend planting berries next to nightshade crops. But onions and garlic perfectly scare away many pests from strawberry bushes.
Cooking the garden
Prepare the berry bed in advance. In the fall, decide on a place, dig up the ground, having previously introduced mineral and organic fertilizers into it. In the first decade of May, we dig up the soil again, treat the pests with fungicidal compounds and plant strawberry seedlings.
Basic landing rules
When transplanting strawberry bushes, you need to follow a few simple conditions:
- The distance between plants should be 30-35 cm. Between rows 50-70 cm.
- Generous watering during planting is the key to successful and fast rooting of berries.
- Go over the ground carefully. It is very difficult to weed in strawberry rows. Therefore, take care of this in advance.
- Mulch the bushes with sawdust, peat or spruce needles.
Spring feeding of strawberries
If your plantation is still young and full of strength, spring feeding with organic and mineral fertilizers will only benefit it. Choose potassium-phosphorus compositions, add organic matter to the soil: compost, humus, manure, wood ash, dolomite flour. Alternate foliar and root dressings.
Watering
After the snow melts, you do not need to water the strawberries for some time. However, from the beginning of May, especially in southern regions with dry and warm springs, organize regular watering of the strawberry bushes. Try to keep the water out of the leaves. Watering can be combined with the feeding procedure. This allows nutrients to penetrate the soil faster.
Treatment
Unfortunately, strawberries are loved not only by humans. Ants, slugs, aphids, spider mites and other insects are also not averse to feasting on its juice. The berry is not very resistant to many diseases. Regular spraying and treatment will help you fight intrusive pests. Use both chemicals and folk remedies. In the fight against insects will help: Bordeaux liquid, chlorophos, boric acid, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, soap solution, decoction of onion peel, garlic water. In the arsenal of every gardener there are secrets and methods of saving berries from diseases and pests.
Spring is an important period in the growing season of strawberries. The harvest of berries depends on the completeness and quality of spring care. Give your plantation maximum time, help to quickly adapt after hibernation. As a reward, you will receive an abundance of tasty and healthy berries.
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