outdoor garden tips

Strawberry Plant Care

By Paula Cottle 10/10/2022 7 mins read

Strawberry plants require a variety of basic care procedures. These include watering strawberries, fertilizing them, protecting them against birds, and spraying insecticides. Once established, strawberries can bear fruits in a few weeks. Strawberry can also be propagated with proper care by dividing small plants out of their crowns. But, it is important to take care not damage the crown, roots, or leaves by sudden movements.

Watering

Growing strawberries is all about watering them. The plants require about one to two inches of water each week. This amount can change depending on the location and weather. Strawberry plants will thrive in places that receive six hours of direct sunshine each day. This way, they get enough water and sunlight to grow and produce fruit.

You must prepare the soil prior to planting your strawberry plant. This should be moist but not wet. To check the soil's moisture, use a wooden stick. It may be necessary to water it if it is extremely dry. You don't have to water it if the soil is moist, but it is not dry. Strawberry plants should not be planted near large trees. Large trees can have a hard time competing with yours for sun and water.

Strawberries thrive in soil that is well-drained. You can increase the moisture content of your soil by amending the soil. Potted strawberry plants need watering more frequently than those grown in the ground.

Fertilizers

Strawberry plants can be fertilized with fertilizers to help them grow. However, choosing the right fertilizer for your plants can be tricky. The best fertilizer to grow strawberries must be made with the right ingredients and cater to the needs of your plant. The right fertilizer will ensure that you have healthy and attractive strawberries.

Organic fertilizers are also a great choice because they are easy to apply and are budget-friendly. They are available in both fast-acting and slow-release formulas, depending on what you're looking for. You should not over-fertilize strawberries. Over-fertilizing strawberries could cause problems because of their shallow roots.

For strawberries to grow quality fruit, they require nitrogen. The best time to fertilize strawberry plants is in their first year. This is because most of the plant's energy is spent growing leaves and developing their root systems. You should fertilize strawberry plants with nitrogen. 10-10-10 is an excellent fertilizer for strawberry plant. You can buy it in granular and powder forms.

You can either use a liquid application method to organic fertilizer or side-dress it. Organic fertilizer is an excellent choice for soil use because it contains helpful trace minerals and micronutrients.

Insecticides

To ensure the health and safety of strawberries plants, it is important to spray insecticides in order to control pests. Pesticides are most effective if applied before crop planting. The best time to spray is before the berries are fully ripe, which is about 30 days before the harvest. Spotted wing drosophila are relatively easy to control with insecticides. However, frequent applications are needed to control this pest, and scouting in the field is necessary.

Insecticides can be used to prevent eggs from being laid by reducing the number adults. They can also control the amount of grubs. Spraying in the spring and summer may help prevent extensive damage to the leaves. There is no guarantee that insecticides will not stop eggs from being laid. You can also use traps that have floral and pheromone smells. But, traps placed near strawberry plants can attract more pests than they will eradicate. There are also bacterium treatments that can be used in controlling strawberry pests larvae. However, the Northeast's soil temperatures are too cold to allow these products to work.

Aphids eat tiny insects like strawberry fruit and leaf. Strawberry plants attract apids due to their sweet flavor. Aphids can cause damage to your plants as they can eat the fruit and infect it with disease. Aphids can also cause the leaves to yellow. If you notice any signs of aphids, you can remove them manually.

Bird protection

Protecting strawberries from birds is vital in order to keep them from eating the fruit. Birds don't have the patience to wait for berries to ripen. Therefore, you should put up deterrent measures as soon as you notice signs of ripeness. You can use floating rows covers to protect your plants from birds, but still allow them to enjoy the sun and rain. Secure the row cover using stakes or heavy stones.

Installing bird-spooking gadgets is another way to protect strawberries plants from birds. Your strawberries can be protected from birds by installing visual scare devices, such a mirror, aluminum foil strips, disposable pans that are hung from strings and wind-chimes. However, these methods should be applied frequently to ensure they are effective.

Bird netting can be purchased to stop birds from eating your strawberries. These nettings can be placed above your plants and are made of 1/4 inch thick plastic mesh. You can buy them online or at garden centers. They are colorful and affordable and can deter birds robbing strawberries. If your strawberries are in an area where birds are prone to feeding, placing a rubber snake on the strawberry patch may deter them from eating your plants.

Examining for fungus

You must look out for powdery mildew when caring for strawberries plants. The fungal growth can be seen in dense areas that are yellow, powdery, or reddish. When infected, the leaves curl upward. It can also infect flowers and fruit. It infects most commonly green leaves in nurseries. However, it can infect strawberry plants grown in fields.

If you have any of these symptoms you should pull the berry out and throw it away. It's better to grab the fruit before it starts to rot on the vine. The final stage infected is marked with fuzzy gray mold. It's then that the fungus begins its sporulation. This stage of infection leads to more damage and the disease cycle continues.

Botrytis cinerea, a fungus that can be difficult to control using conventional methods, is one example. This fungus has a resistance to most fungicides. There are many effective methods to manage the fungus. One way to do this is to plant resistant strawberry varieties. However, there are some important factors to keep in mind when choosing varieties.

Wash the soil thoroughly before planting the strawberries. This is to stop the spread of anthracnosefungus. This is because the fungus may live in the soil for many months. You can treat the affected plants with a fungicide, but prevention is always better than cure. If you grow strawberries in pots or hanging baskets, you can use mulch to keep the soil barrier between the strawberries. Another method is to use drip irrigation, which prevents soil splash onto the berries.

Watering depth

There are many factors that influence the watering depth of strawberry plants. The soil should not be too dry and should have a pH of between 5.5-6.5. You can easily test the pH level with a digital pH tester. It is important that the soil surrounding the plant be firm. This will allow the crown of the plant to grow deeper. Lime should also be present in the soil.

Strawberry plants need to be watered well after they have been planted. The roots should be kept moist but not soggy. The soil should not be too wet as it can cause root rot. Overwatering can also cause root rot.

For new strawberry beds, add 2.5 lbs. Organic fertilizer 21-0-0. This fertilizer has 1 to 34 lbs of nitrogen. To ensure that you are using the right amount of nitrogen, it is essential to thoroughly test the soil before deciding on fertilizer. The strawberry plant will be benefited by this fertilizer, which will help to form buds next season. After fertilizer has been applied, be sure to water the plant well.

Aphids can affect strawberries, even though they are almost always disease-free. A good home insecticide to use for aphids and leafhoppers is malathion. This insecticide is effective against many types sucking insects.

Snipping runners

To make a new strawberry plant, cut runners from strawberry plants. This is best done after the strawberry plants have finished fruiting. Plantlets can be placed in the ground during late summer and autumn. Although they need to be in contact with the soil to grow roots, some may have roots already.

Strawberries are perennial plants, so the runners will need some support. You can hold the runners in place by using a piece of wire or a u-shaped staple. Once they have rooted properly, you can put them in a larger or prepared soil.

Strawberry plants have an unusual way of being propagated. The runners will develop long stems, which will reach the soil in the pot or garden bed. Some runners will have leaves, while others will curve upwards. The daughter plant will grow from the small-leaved segment of a runners.

Untreated runners can spread disease and cause damage to the plants. Cutting runners will increase the plant's ability to produce flowers and berries next spring and prevent the spread of fungus. It depends on the variety of your plant, you might need to trim all runners before planting them. If that is impossible, you can use a cultivator for runners to be redirected into the row.

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FAQ

When is the best time to plant flowers?

When the weather is milder and the soil has a good moisture content, spring is the best time to plant flowers. Planting flowers should be done after the first frost if you live in a cold climate. The ideal temperature to grow plants indoors is 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

How often should I water my indoor plants?

Indoor plants need watering every two days. It is important to maintain the humidity level in your home. Humidity is crucial for healthy plants.

What is the best vegetable garden layout?

Your location will determine the best layout for your vegetable garden. For easy harvesting, you can plant vegetables together if the area is large. If you live in a rural location, you will need to space your plants out for maximum yield.

Statistics

80% of residents spent a lifetime as large-scale farmers (or working on farms) using many chemicals believed to be cancerous today. (acountrygirlslife.com)
According to a survey from the National Gardening Association, upward of 18 million novice gardeners have picked up a shovel since 2020. (wsj.com)
According to the National Gardening Association, the average family with a garden spends $70 on their crops—but they grow an estimated $600 worth of veggies! - blog.nationwide.com
Most tomatoes and peppers will take 6-8 weeks to reach transplant size so plan according to your climate! - ufseeds.com

External Links

thespruce.com

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How To

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