Many summer residents call strawberries garden strawberries. Despite the fact that the latter is an independent berry, few are familiar with it. Therefore, in the framework of this article, strawberry garden under its name “strawberry” will be considered. It needs to be fed where there is a lack of nutrients in the soil.
The need for fertilizer
Not all gardeners use chernozem soils in their use, which practically do not require additional nutrients with fertilizers to restore their balance in the soil until certain plants consumed them from this substrate for their growth and development. Strawberries are perennials grown in the same area for a number of seasons. To get a good crop, you need to feed it. Strawberries respond well to those that are carried out on time and with the correct ratio of elements.
Classification of fertilizers for garden strawberries
This culture is not very demanding, but it loves variety in nutrition. Therefore, it is better to use organic and mineral fertilizers under it. During the feeding of strawberries, pesticides can also be used to combat various harmful objects.
The following are used from organic fertilizers:
- wood ash, which must be applied separately from nitrogen fertilizers, since it contributes to the conversion of nitrogen to ammonia and its rapid volatilization - it is introduced about a week after the application of mineral fertilizers; obtained not only from wood, but also from other plant residues, while it is characterized by a different chemical composition;
- composts;
- cow and horse manure;
- chicken droppings.
Of the minerals used:
- fertilizers containing macronutrients (NPK);
- complex;
- containing trace elements.
The latter can be in the composition of macronutrient fertilizers in the form of impurities or used as separate microtuks. However, in case of their separate use, the process of leaving and feeding strawberries in the spring becomes less profitable, since any synthetic preparation costs a certain amount of money.
Nitrogen fertilizers, like under any other crops, are introduced in the spring due to the fact that the element is quite volatile. Other macronutrients can be introduced in the fall. Microfertilizers are used if necessary.
For the formation of ovaries, the most valuable element is boron, which should be used in very small quantities. With its deficiency, the leaves become asymmetric, the roots do not receive proper development, the berries are deformed. This element is easily absorbed by plants during foliar feeding. For its use boric acid.
Determination of the necessary nutrition
Their number is determined by the time of transplantation of the berry. This procedure must be carried out in 3-5 years. They can be transplanted in the fall. If the weather is warm, then the dates may be shifted closer to the end of this period. In the cold summer, transplantation can be carried out before the onset of autumn. Strawberry dressing in this season of the year is carried out after the end of this procedure.
Spring top dressing can combine the introduction of various nutrients, which may make its summer application optional. In this case, there will be enough nutrients for the berry for the whole season, the next top dressing will need to be done in the fall.
Schemes for the implementation of activities
Strawberry dressing in spring can be carried out in two stages:
- with the appearance of young vegetative sprouts and leaves;
- after the formation of ovaries;
- the third feeding is carried out in the summer season;
- the fourth in the fall.
Dates of spring dressing
If there is an opportunity to visit a berry plantation at the end of winter - the beginning of spring, then dry fertilizers can be scattered on thawed snow. Such top dressing of strawberries in early spring contributes to the fact that fertilizers dissolve in it and themselves go to the roots of plants. So you can make dry ash and mineral fertilizers.
If it is impossible to get into the garden at this time, then top dressing should be done at the first loosening. To do this, they can be evenly scattered throughout the bed, mixed with the surface layer and watered, or make the prepared solution through the soil.
In the absence of water at the site, top dressing is carried out before the expected rainfall or foliar application of foliar fertilizers is carried out. In the latter case, a small amount of water is required to prepare the solution, which can be brought to the plantation with you.
Dry fertilizer should not go directly to the roots, as this will contribute to the burning of thin roots, through which water and nutrients are transported to the plant.
Preparation of solutions in the spring
At this time of the year, nitrogen is added to accelerate the growth of the vegetative mass. Early feeding of strawberries involves the introduction of a solution for each bush in a volume of about 1 liter. Solutions can be made in many ways.
Some of them are shown below:
- add 1/2 tsp. boric acid, 1/2 cup ash, 1 tbsp. l urea containing nitrogen, per 10 liters of water and about 3 g of potassium permanganate - this way all the necessary macro- and microelements are added, quality tasty berries are obtained that can be stored for a long time, and there is also a slight disinfection from diseases;
- fresh or dry rye bread is poured with warm water, after which it is left for a week for fermentation - it should occupy 2/3 in the volume of the tank;
- before carrying out spring feeding of strawberries, the mixture is diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 3;
- boron acid in an amount of 1 tsp is added to 10 liters of liquid, iodine - 30 drops and 1 glass of ash;
- 1 tbsp are added to the same volume of water l ammonium sulfate and mullein in an amount not exceeding 0.5 l;
- chicken droppings are dissolved in water in a ratio of 1:12;
- 10 l of water add 1 l of mullein or nitrophos in the amount of 1 tbsp. l .;
- 300 g of mullein can be added to the same volume of liquid, insisted for 2 days, after which add 15 g of ammonium sulfate and water half a liter under each bush;
- the liquid can be mixed with serum in a ratio of 3: 1.
When caring for strawberries in the spring, top dressing should be done carefully so as not to burn the plants and not to overfeed them, which can lead to loose berries. Therefore, fat should be used in strictly recommended doses.
Preparation of solutions for summer application
If the first feeding of strawberries is aimed at providing plants with nitrogen for growth and development of the vegetative mass, then summer feeding should provide them with potassium and microelements for the full formation of the root system and timely laying of generative buds for the next year. The solution is applied in the amount of half a liter for each bush. Strawberries can also be fed with dry ash at two-week intervals.
Solutions can be prepared in different ways (recipe for 10 liters of water):
- potassium nitrate - 2 tbsp. l .;
- nitrofoska - 2 tbsp. l and potassium sulfate - 1 tsp;
- 1 glass of vermicompost with infusion for 24 hours, before dressing, a solution is made in a ratio of 1: 1;
- 100 g of ash; ½ cup of humus is infused for one day, after which 15 g of potassium nitrate are added to the mixture.
Preparation of solutions for autumn application
Unlike feeding strawberries in early spring, this season of the year it is carried out to ensure good overwintering with plants. The dose of application for each bush of the solution is approximately the same as in the summer top dressing.
Several options for its preparation are also possible here (for the same volume as indicated earlier):
- nitroammofosk - 2 tbsp. l potassium sulfate - 30 g and ash - 1 cup;
- superphosphate - 2 tbsp. l., ash - 1 glass and 1 l of mullein;
- ash - ½ cup per 1 liter of mullein.
Strawberry Fertilizers on Sale
In addition to the fact that the solutions can be prepared independently, you can buy ready-made mixtures that contain all the necessary nutrients for this berry.
These include the following:
- Fertika;
- Agricola
- Gumi Omi;
- others that are marked "for strawberries / strawberries."
Yeast infusion
Strawberry care and feeding is aimed not only at providing the plants with necessary nutrition elements, but also at making the substrate most comfortable for the existence of these berry plants. Yeast is a microscopic fungus that can improve the structure of the soil.
Fertilizing strawberries with yeast provokes the rapid decomposition of organic substances in the soil, facilitating their conversion to a form available for plants. During its implementation, all forms of nutrients become more easily assimilated. Also, with its help, improvement of root formation is achieved, which, in turn, contributes to a more powerful formation of the bush and the formation of larger berries on it.
When applying, it must be borne in mind that yeast is introduced into well-warmed soil, the optimal conditions for their reproduction are created at a temperature of more than 20 degrees. During the fermentation of these fungi, a lot of calcium and potassium is removed from the soil, therefore, after feeding with yeast, a solution of ash is added.
The following yeast solution recipe can be used to feed the berry:
- in a three-liter jar, warm water is poured over the shoulders;
- 25 g of pressed or 12 g of dry yeast are added;
- 4-5 Art. l Sahara;
- the whole mass is mixed and placed in a warm place until it starts to play, as evidenced by the foam that appears on the surface;
- the prepared solution is poured into a ten-liter container, added with water, after which root dressing is carried out in a dose of 0.5-1 l under the bush.
The purpose of such feeding is to introduce live fungal cultures into the soil.
Ammonia
This substance contains nitrogen in ammonia form. In addition, it has a pungent odor that helps repel various pests: aphids, chafers, raspberries, strawberries, weevils, etc. The solution also allows you to destroy the pathogenic species of fungi that inhabit the leaves and stems of strawberries.
In order to fertilize the berry, a solution is prepared. To prepare it in 10 l capacity, water is added, into which 2-3 tbsp. l ammonia. At the same time, you need to remember that the active substance of the latter is ammonia, which can burn mucous membranes, so you can not inhale its fumes, you need to measure the dose in fresh air.
Finally
You can choose the optimal diet for strawberries by feeding, using both organic and mineral fertilizers, as well as products that are not fertilizer, but can be successfully applied to this crop. It is most rational to use a mixed type, which combines the use of mullein, bird droppings, with yeast and synthetic fertilizers. Nitrogen feeding should be carried out mainly in the spring, since this element is quite volatile. The rest can be carried out in the fall. In the summer, top dressing is carried out with insufficient spring dressing to form an ovary.