Caring For Strawberry Plants
When caring for strawberry plants, remember that this fruit is sensitive to water, sun, and temperature. To grow healthy strawberries, place them in full sunlight. In addition, they prefer a slightly damp soil. Water regularly. Strawberry plants thrive in a wide range of soils, but are best grown in well-drained soil with adequate drainage. After transplanting, make sure to remove any damaged leaves and stems from the strawberry plant. After transplanting, allow the soil to dry before watering again.
After transplanting your strawberry plants, water them thoroughly and feed them with a balanced fertilizer. To get the best growth, use a 10-10-10 plant food or organic compost. For best results, apply it at the base of the strawberry plant. This fertiliser will feed the plant immediately and continue feeding them for up to four months. However, if you’re unsure of how much to use, check the label for specific instructions.
You can also use thermal blankets to protect your strawberries from extreme cold. Common materials include polyethylene foam laminated with white UV-resistant polyethylene film. You can also buy fleece plant blankets to keep your plants warm when the temperature drops to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that if you decide to buy a thermal blanket for your strawberry plant, make sure it is orientated north-south. Thermal blankets should last for two to three years.
Straw is a popular mulch for strawberry plants. Straw is not only a great mulch for strawberries, but also protects them from fungal attacks. Aside from straw, other materials suitable for mulching include wood shavings, sawdust, and mulched leaves. Strawberries can be purchased as seedling plants. While selecting a strawberry plant, it is essential to consider the size of the pot.
The strawberry plant can be planted at any time between early spring and early summer. If the plant is already pot-bound, it is best to plant it in a smaller container with loose roots. Plant the crown of the strawberry plant above the soil line and the roots below it. Once the pot is filled, you can water the strawberry plant every other day. The plant will grow into a vigorous, bushy shrub! It will continue to produce fruit even after the fourth year.
If you don’t want to deal with the fuss of transplanting, you can buy runners. Runners are seedlings with long roots that are more affordable. However, they may not be as prolific in your garden and may spread fungi. The soil should be moist, but not soaked. The crown of the plant should stay above soil level, but the roots should remain just beneath the surface. And make sure you do not transplant the strawberry crown during the winter.
Overwintering strawberry plants in the ground is relatively simple. Strawberries are cold-hardy and will survive moderately cold weather. In mild climates, they do not need much care during winter. However, if you live in a northern region, you may need to take some special precautions, such as mulching to protect the strawberry plants from the harsh winters. If you want to grow your strawberry plants year-round, here are a few simple tips to follow.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://diygardeningtips.com/beginners-gardening/gardening-terms-a-glossary-for-beginners/