There are never too many strawberries. To make it even more, it should be properly looked after and, of course, fertilized. In this article I will tell you how and how to fertilize the berry in spring.
Feeding strawberries in early spring
I think it's not worth it for a long time to tell why to feed strawberries. Suffice it to say that feeding makes plants more hardy, they get sick less and better resist pests. Only this process is not as simple as it initially seems: it is worth not feeding on time or choosing the wrong trace elements, and the crop will be spoiled.
First of all, you need to remember that feeding directly depends on the life cycle of the plant. In the first year, I do not touch the young bushes, after that you can use mineral fertilizing, while adding organic matter to the soil every two years.
The first time in the spring, I add nutrients after the snow melts, while the plants are dormant. At this time, you need to take care of future leaves and shoots, so I use nitrogen fertilizers. For 10 liters of water, I take two glasses of mullein and a tablespoon of ammonium sulfate, mix and add 200 grams for each strawberry bush. Sometimes I use organic matter - nettle infusion. I do it like this: I cut the nettle into a bucket and fill it with water. After four days, I dilute "nettle tea" in a ratio of 1 part to 10 parts of water and pour a liter under each bush.
How to feed strawberries during flowering
The second feeding I do during the flowering period. In my region, it is about mid-May. During this time, strawberries need potassium. Thanks to this trace element, the berries will be sweeter, which will increase their shelf life. To understand that strawberries lack potassium, look at the leaves. If their tips turn brown, urgent action is needed. Dissolve a teaspoon of potassium nitrate in 10 liters of water and add half a liter of liquid under each bush. Feeding flowering plants will increase the number of inflorescences and fruits.
Feeding strawberries after flowering
Another stage is the introduction of nutrients at the time of the growth of the ovaries. At this time, foliar feeding will be good with any available complex fertilizer, diluted not in one, as indicated in the instructions, but in three portions of water.
Top dressing with folk remedies
The simplest and most affordable option for everyone is compost. It should be laid out around the bush in a layer of 5-7 centimeters.
Feeding strawberries with ash
For spring feeding, the ash is laid out a little under each plant. The same should be done after pruning. Ash helps to resist disease. At the first sign of ailment on the leaves, I sprinkle ash on the bushes. About a tablespoon per plant.
Feeding strawberries with iodine
Iodine is an antiseptic, but it is used not only for prevention, but also for fertilization. 1-2 drops of an alcohol solution are dripped per liter of water and the bushes are sprayed with this composition before flowering.
Foliar feeding of strawberries
Foliar dressing is used as a supplement. I spray the strawberries at the time of fruit setting. I use this mixture: for 10 liters of water I take 2 grams of potassium permanganate and boric acid, then pour a glass of ash there. I spray strawberry leaves in the evening or in cloudy weather.
When carrying out dressings, it should be remembered that it is better to combine them with watering. Or spill the soil and then fertilize. Be sure to fertilize your strawberry bushes.
Do this at least three times in the spring and in the summer, enjoy sweet and large berries.
Read also: Effective ways to deal with slugs in the garden
Friends, do not forget to subscribe to the channel and LIKE if the article is useful!
#Strawberry#fertilizer strawberry#berries