Every person who grows strawberries in the country dreams of harvesting ripe and juicy berries as soon as possible. Some gardeners manage to achieve their goal in the first year after planting this crop. How to do this and what you need for this, I will tell you in detail in this article.
Choosing the right berry variety
In most cases, the timing of fruiting depends on the variety of the purchased crop. Those who wish to see the first berries as soon as possible should purchase only early-ripening strawberries, which are especially revered by gardeners for their unpretentiousness. The most early ripening strawberries include remontant strawberries and NSD strawberries, which bear fruit three times a year. Among this berry, the following varieties are very popular among summer residents:
- Lyubava
- Albion
- Profusion
- Monterey
- Felice
- Temptation
- Queen Elizabeth II
Their main advantages are self-pollination, resistance to pests and diseases, and the possibility of successful fruiting within a couple of months after planting. Even a novice gardener who does not have sufficient experience in growing berry crops will cope with the cultivation of such strawberries. Most remontant strawberry varieties can be cultivated not only in open ground, but also in a greenhouse, ensuring the collection of fragrant berries until autumn.
We clearly observe the conditions and time of planting strawberries
In order to get the long-awaited harvest of berries faster, experts recommend planting strawberries in the spring, and not in the fall, as gardeners usually do. At the same time, it is necessary to carefully choose a place for planting - it should be lit, fertile, and well protected from wind and drafts. Loamy and sandy soils with a neutral or slightly acidic pH are best suited for this crop.
If you want to achieve a high yield of strawberries in the first years of its development, you should take care of the important top dressing for it in advance. Six months before planting, fertilizers based on phosphates or potassium sulfates can be applied to the soil. Such preliminary soil preparation will contribute to the early flowering of the crop and the formation of viable berries in it.
Proper care of planted plants
Getting a rich strawberry harvest in the first year after planting is the result of proper plant care throughout the summer season. It includes:
- weeding the soil
- timely watering
- periodic top dressing
The constant removal of weeds from the ground allows the culture to grow better in the summer cottage. Without high-quality weeding, berry bushes develop weak, and incapable of normal flowering and fruiting. Also, it is important not to forget about the timely watering of strawberries - it is even better if you additionally spray its foliage. It is recommended to do this before noon, so that it is not exposed to the harmful effects of sunlight. And of course, summer residents need to feed plants well, sharing inorganic and organic types of fertilizers. Good luck landing!
Read also: Spring planting raspberries - useful tips for beginners
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