Juicy and fragrant strawberries is one of the most popular inhabitants of the suburban area. Summer residents love her not only for their beautiful appearance, but also for their excellent taste. In addition, for gardeners, this berry is a good means of income. And all because it is not very difficult to grow it, and in one season you can collect an impressive crop, which is enough for yourself, and for others to sell. For those who just decided to plant strawberries in their area, the following information will be useful.
Strawberries, care and growing for this berry should be known to everyone who has decided to breed it in their country house. After all, it is precisely on how it will be planted correctly, and then well-groomed, and the amount of the harvest will depend. The cultivation of garden strawberries begins with the selection of the most suitable place. The main condition is that it should be well lit for about 8 hours a day, while it should not be obscured by sunlight and trees and buildings. By the way, plan for the future so that crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant do not grow near strawberries.
Despite the fact that many summer residents are planting strawberries in the fall, it is best, and even more correct, to do this in the spring. In autumn, you can only dig up a place and fertilize it. Once steady, warm spring weather sets in, proceed with landing. Do not forget to first add humus and compost to the ground.
For planting, only healthy strawberries are selected, the care and cultivation of which ensures a good harvest due to the fact that it is less susceptible to a different disease. Affected seedlings with yellow leaves may not take root or simply will not bear fruit. Plant seedlings in the evening. Pour some water into each well, insert the stalk and cover it with earth. Strawberry shoots should be placed at such a distance that small empty rows form between the bushes.
A crop like strawberries is very fond of moisture, so it should be watered about 2-3 times a week, depending on weather conditions. Watering is necessary so that the water gets well to the roots. To prevent water from evaporating, strawberry bushes can be covered with pine needles or ordinary straw. Also, some gardeners use this method: the soil around the bushes is covered with plastic wrap. This technique helps not only to retain moisture, but also to save plantings from weeds and pests. In addition, with the help of a plastic film it is more convenient to collect the fruits, since they lie on it, remaining clean and intact.
Strawberries, the care and cultivation of which you are already familiar with, also need to be fed. This is usually done twice a season: before planting and after the harvest is harvested. As a fertilizer solution, you can use ammonium nitrate at the rate of 20-30 g per 1 m2. After harvesting, strawberry care comes down to weed removal and nutritional compost.
In the first year, you are unlikely to be able to harvest a good crop, as a rule, this can only be achieved in the second and third years. In subsequent years, it decreases again, which means that strawberries should be planted in a new way and already in a different place.
Recently, growing hydroponic strawberries has become popular. This concept refers to the cultivation of plants in a soilless environment. Instead of soil, water, moist air or an artificial substrate can be used. Strawberries receive the same substances that are necessary for growth from a nutrient solution. The berry itself is planted in special grooves. If you wish, you can also use this method, but in order to do it right, you will have to get to know the hydroponic technique better, and it is best to see the strawberries grown in this way somewhere live. By the way, strawberries, the care and cultivation of which you will carry out using the hydroponics method, often give a much larger crop than when grown by the usual method.