Planting strawberries in September? Is that even possible? Home gardeners may find it beneficial to plant strawberries in the fall. This is especially true for those who want to have a productive bed in their garden as quickly as possible.
In some areas, cultivation is not only possible, but also has a long history of success. It is possible to grow strawberries in the fall as long as the seedlings have time to become established before the first frost. Timely mulching of the new planting is important to protect the delicate roots from drought and winter damage that can result from repeated freezing and thawing of the soil crust.
Planting strawberries in September: why does it make sense?
It makes a lot of sense to plant strawberries in the fall. Almost all commercial strawberry farms do not plant new strawberry plants until the fall, after the previous year's crop has been harvested. Growing strawberries is much more time-consuming and laborious, especially if you plant them in the spring (which most home gardeners do).
When planted in early fall, strawberries have time to form a strong root system before going dormant. A fully established and mature plant will sprout new leaves and flower stalks as temperatures rise in late winter or early spring. The already established roots draw water and nutrients from the soil to supply the growing strawberries, making cutting off the flowers unnecessary. This means a productive harvest in the first year of growth rather than the second!
For fall sowing, you can purchase strawberry plants with complete roots. Because more cuttings survive than transplanted bare-root plants, this speeds plant establishment and reduces mortality.
Those strawberry gardeners who have a knack for planning will hopefully see the benefits of fall planting. The next step is to locate a nursery that will plant strawberriesfor autumnoffers. Do not give up!
There are a wide range of strawberry varieties that bear fruit at different times. Some bear fruit only in the summer months, while the evergreen varieties produce a small crop in the warmer months and a larger crop in the cooler months. Find the right variety with help from a nursery near you.
Boden
Strawberries thrive in loamy, fertile soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8. They need full sunlight for 8 hours a day. If you want to enrich your soil with nutrient-rich, organic matter, compost is the method of choice. Add at least 4 inches of compost to your clay soil if you want to improve it. Remove weeds and add 2 – 3 cm of compost to sandy soil to improve its quality.
Distance
Most strawberry varieties spread by forming runners. Leave about 30 cm between the newly planted strawberries and 60 - 80 cm between rows so that they can ripen. The strawberry plant itself is a bit overgrown. The runners from the seedlings will produce more runner plants. Carefully cover the roots with soil, but leave the heart of the plant (the developing bud in the center of the plant that produces new roots and new flower buds) exposed. If you bury the heart too deeply, the plant will die.
Diseases and crop rotation
Strawberries are susceptible to diseases such as verticillium wilt. That's why it's important to plant them in a location where you haven't grown other varieties of strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, or eggplants in the past.
irrigation
Since strawberries have a very shallow root system, they require constantSupply of water. Next year's fruiting depends on the amount of water used in the fall. You should water your strawberry plants by 2 to 4 inches weekly. Do not water the leaves or they will rot.
Preparing strawberry plants for winter
Although strawberries are naturally cold-resistant, in some regions they need to be protected from frost.
Covering your strawberry plants with a layer of mulch can help protect them during the winter months. However, time is of the essence and you should only mulch when the plants are dormant. Low temperatures are associated with the dormant phase of plants. Applying mulch before the heart of the plant is fully hardened increases the likelihood of rot.
When daytime temperatures are consistently below -1 degrees Celsius and the top inch of soil is frozen, your strawberry plants are ready for mulching. When the time is right, spread a 8-13cm thick layer of loose mulch over your strawberry plants, such as straw, wood chips or bark mulch. Sothe plants remainWarm and cozy all winter long!
When new growth begins in spring, it's time to remove the mulch and think about all the delicious things you can do with strawberries.
Your first strawberry harvest will be much better in both quality and quantity if you plan ahead and plant early. Instead of waiting until spring, consider purchasing strawberry plants in the fall and planting them then!
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