Everyone who has a garden or a summer house knows how difficult it is to grow large sweet strawberries. We wait all winter when the long-awaited summer comes to enjoy a berry. But often our expectations are, in vain: the summer is cold, there is no sun, heavy rains, the fruits rot. Sometimes the crop is attacked by various insects. Desperate gardeners what methods do not use to overcome all adversity. Today we will consider the most creative method of growing berries. Many have not heard of this at all. Let's try to grow strawberries in a pipe. Yes, you heard right, it was in her. To do this, you do not need to carry huge, heavy metal pipes to the site . We need strong plastic, in which we will learn to plant our berries. From the article you will learn how to plant strawberries and care for them, as well as we will give the most common varieties of berries that get along well in such unusual beds. So, first things first.
The advantages of the method
Before we begin to understand with you the main issue (how to grow strawberries in plastic pipes), it is worth talking about all the advantages of the method. Let's start with the most important thing.
- If your site is small, then this method will work best. Such ridges take up very little space, and where you used to grow strawberries, you can plant something else.
- The structure can always be moved from place to place.
- No need to process a large amount of soil from constantly emerging weeds.
- It is convenient to harvest a ripe crop.
- Growing berries in the pipes look aesthetically pleasing and beautiful. They will delight your look. Such structures will be the main highlight of the garden and your pride.
It is worth considering in detail what materials are best prepared in order to grow strawberries in a pipe.
Preparation for landing
It is worth talking about what needs to be acquired to bring such an idea to life. Here is a detailed list.
- It is necessary to purchase plastic pipes. Some of them should have a wide diameter, the rest should be narrow. Water will pass through them and along them will be supplied to the roots of plants.
- Stubs.
- A drill is needed to make holes in the pipe. It is advisable that you have a special wide nozzle for the instrument.
- Fasteners.
- Rope.
- Expanded clay. It is needed for the manufacture of drainage.
- Soil for planting.
- Seedlings of berries.
Self-made beds
Now we turn to the manufacture of the structure itself, which must be done before growing strawberries in PVC pipes. It should be clarified that the pipes can be placed both horizontally and vertically. We will pay attention to the second type of beds. We begin preparation according to the following algorithm.
- We cut the pipe to the length that you need for the beds.
- On the one hand we install a stub. It will help keep the soil in the pipe.
- Now, on our narrow workpiece, we make small holes every 10 cm using a drill. In total, you should get three of their rows.
- The harvesting intended for irrigation is fixed with a rope inside a large pipe.
- Now in our makeshift garden bed we need to make holes in order to conveniently settle the strawberries in the pipe. You will grow it here.
- At your chosen place you need to install the pipes in an upright position. Be sure to secure them so that your beds do not fall from a strong gust of wind.
- Now we begin to fill the wide pipe with earth.
- The main thing is to set your beds on the sunny side so that the strawberries ripen well.
To get to the question of how to grow strawberries in a vertical pipe, you need to know how to plant it correctly, and for this it is worth choosing good varieties of berries.
The best varieties of berries for planting in pipes
For this method of cultivation, curly strawberries are suitable. Here are the brightest representatives of this variety.
- Queen Elizabeth. Refers to a repairing view. You can harvest several times in one summer. From one bush you can get about 2 kg of juicy and fleshy berries.
- Elizabeth the Second. Another representative of the repairing species. The berries are large, bright red. The very first crop can be harvested in mid-May. During the summer period, a total of about 12 kg of berries can be obtained.
- Alba This is an early ripe variety. The berry well tolerates all cooling and freezing. From one bush you can collect about 1.5 kg of the crop.
- Delicious. Removable strawberry with a long peduncle. With it you can easily harvest. Ripe berries are dark red in color. The first strawberries can be expected in late May.
- Ostara. This is a Dutch representative of ampel berry varieties. Strawberries grow small, but with a very sweet taste.
Growing strawberries in a pipe using these varieties is not difficult. Plants will easily take root, and you will eat sweet fruits all summer. Here is such an interesting option for the design of the site - strawberries in the pipe. Growing (photo below) is easy. The main thing is to prepare well. Now let's move on to another, no less important, issue.
Proper fit
Growing berries using this method is simple, the main thing is to do everything correctly when planting. First of all, take good land. You can buy it in the store. Another option is to prepare the soil yourself. To do this, add peat, wood ash and some manure to the garden soil. Mix everything thoroughly, and then fill the pipes with soil. Experienced gardeners plant calendula near the beds. It helps scare away insects. Strawberry seedlings are planted in specially prepared holes. The mustache from the berries can be put in free cells. In order for strawberries to grow well, they must be looked after.
Berry care
It is possible to grow strawberries in a pipe only if the basic condition is met - proper planting care. This concept includes watering, fertilizer and disease prevention. Make sure that the earth does not dry out. Use for fertilizing fertilizers that are saturated with nutrients and trace elements. Watch out for the bushes. For the prevention of diseases and the fight against them, use special tools that spray berries.
Collection and storage
If you chose the method of planting strawberries in plastic pipes, then you will never know what rotten berries are that lie directly on the ground. Harvesting in this way will be much easier and easier for you. No need to crawl on your knees for half a day in the garden and look for strawberries among the greens. Here it will be enough for you just to take the container - and you can safely go to the harvest. Strawberry storage directly depends on the selected variety. There are types that are ideal for making jam. Some varieties of berries are suitable for fresh consumption.
Finally
We have sorted out a very interesting planting method and now we know what strawberries are in the pipe. Growing it is easy, and sometimes even easier than in the usual way. Now you will collect a huge amount of harvest and forget about what bad berries are. Using our master class, you can easily assemble the necessary design, armed with the appropriate materials, tools and new ideas. If you are not attracted to vertical beds, you can arrange them in a horizontal position. Then additionally install them on special legs. In this case, you can pick strawberries at the level of their growth and not bend at all. It all depends on your imagination and the amount of free space. If you have absolutely nothing to do with it, hang up plastic pipes, and in the free space, plant whatever your heart desires.