Strawberry Care: A Comprehensive Guide for Year-Round Growth
Strawberry enthusiasts, take note! Here's a comprehensive guide to caring for your strawberry plants throughout the year. From feeding to protecting, we've got you covered.
Start in late winter. As snow melts, clear away dead leaves from your strawberry beds to prevent disease. In spring, when flowers first appear, nourish your plants with a liquid bio-fertilizer. This will give them a boost as they prepare to bear fruit.
Throughout the growing, flowering, and fruiting stages, keep your strawberries well-watered. This ensures they stay healthy and produce a bountiful harvest.
After flowering, apply a complex fertilizer to support fruit development. In late summer, remove old leaves and excess runners to maintain plant health and encourage new growth. Till the rows again and apply urea to promote green mass growth.
For added protection, consider planting garlic, lavender, marigolds, and thyme alongside your strawberries. These companion plants help deter pests and weeds, promoting the vitality of your strawberry plants. Mechanical protections like fleece covers and slug fences can also be used effectively.
In winter, sprinkle superphosphate on snow-covered strawberry beds. This will provide essential nutrients to your plants during their dormant period.
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to growing healthy, productive strawberry plants. From winter protection to summer care, these tips will help you enjoy a bountiful strawberry harvest year after year.
