All About strawberries
Strawberries are often grown in an exceedingly big selection of soils, from light-weight sand to serious clay. However, water logging can cause the fruits to become diseased and also the plant to rot. the perfect soil is well-drained and made in humus. they like to be planted in full sun, out of the wind.
Plants are often planted outdoors from late June till September. If planted later, the flowers ought to be removed within the initial year therefore the energy is employed to develop a healthy plant in year 2.
Strawberry plants will manufacture fruit for 5 or six years. However, once the primary 2 years the yields are going to be reduced dramatically and a build-up of pests and diseases will occur. Strawberry beds are sometimes kept for 2 or 3 years before they are cleared and planted on new ground.
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What to do
How to plant
Prepare the soil by digging over, removing any perennial weeds and adding manure.
Place the strawberry plants each 35cm (13 in) in rows that are 75cm (30 in) apart.
Plant with the crown at soil level and water well.
Place a web over the plants to forestall birds and squirrels from eating the fruit.
decide any ripe strawberries in order that they do not rot on the plant. Check the plants each alternative day throughout the ripening amount.
Growing tips
frequently hoe between the rows and individual plants. you may additionally need to put a web over the strawberries to prevent birds and squirrels from eating the fruit.
From late might, place straw within the rows and underneath the fruit trusses to suppress weeds and stop the fruit lying on the bottom.
Barley straw is that the best choice, as it's softer and additional pliable. If you cannot get straw, use polythene sheeting.
It's attainable to increase the growing season by inserting early strawberry varieties underneath cloches or polythene covers in late March. Grown during this manner, the plants ought to manufacture fruit 2 to a few weeks before traditional.
How to grow in an exceedingly basket
Growing strawberries in an exceedingly hanging basket ensures they are kept out of the manner of slugs.
Plant 5 to 6 plants in an exceedingly basket in spring, and water a day throughout the growing season.
From flowering till harvest, feed the plants each 10 days with a product that is high in potassium, like a tomato feed.
identical strawberry plants ought to still manufacture fruit the subsequent year, however the crops are going to be higher if the plants are renewed.
How to harvest
it is vital to select any fruit as soon as it's ripe to forestall it rotting on the plant. Check the plants each alternative day throughout the ripening amount.
The fruit is prepared when it's turned red, though totally different|completely different} varieties have different shades.
it is best to reap the fruit in dry weather. decide gently to avoid bruising and check that the inexperienced stalk (calyx) remains with the fruit.
After Harvesting Strawberries
once harvesting, take away the straw or matting that has been protecting fruit from the bottom. Compost straw and debris, or clean and store matting for next year.
bring to a halt recent leaves with hand shears and take away, leaving the crown and new leaves untouched. this enables daylight into the middle of the plant, making certain a stronger crop next year.
Feed and water well.
Leave nets off to permit birds to select off any pests.
Propagation
It's straightforward to form additional strawberry plants. The plants send out runners over the surface of the soil throughout the growing season. These are often pegged down, sometimes in June or July, whereas hooked up to the mother plant. Eventually, they're going to kind a separate plant.
do not permit over 5 runners to develop from every plant. In August, when the runner plants are well established, cut them from the parent and transplant immediately.
