Planting strawberries in August can be beneficial, especially because you don't miss out on a healthy harvest in the first year, which is the case when planting in spring.
Learn how to plant strawberry plants now to enjoy a healthy strawberry harvest the following spring/summer gardening season. Below you will find some helpful hints and tips on planting and care. Because it is very important to ensure the right growing conditions for the plants.
When to plant strawberries
Many gardeners plant strawberries in early spring. Then the plants will begin to develop quickly, but the harvest in the season will not be rich. PlantYou strawberriesuntil the end of August in warm regions and from August to September in cooler regions so that you can enjoy the delicious fruits next spring.
Why plant strawberries in August
It makes sense to plant strawberries after you have harvested the previous year's strawberries. If you plant in the spring (as most home gardeners do), a lot more care is required and a lot more time passes from planting the strawberry plants to full harvest.
Prepare the soil
Strawberries love fertile soil. Organic matter improves nutrient availability as well as the structure and water-holding capacity of the soil, so before planting, prepare the soil by incorporating two to three inches of compost or other organic matter to a depth of at least 12 inches.
What nutrients do strawberries need?
All strawberry plants require nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for vigorous growth and fruit production. You can add these nutrients using fertilizers, incorporating them into the soil or through foliar feeding. If you keep an organic garden, choose natural fertilizers such as blood meal, seaweed meal, soybean meal and alfalfa meal.
Plant new strawberries in fresh soil. How to avoid the spread of disease. Do not plant in soil where tomatoes and potatoes were grown last season because strawberries are susceptible to the same diseases.Strawberries are traditionalplanted in hills. This improves drainage and increases air circulation around the plants.
Plant strawberries 40cm apart in 40cm wide rows, best designed in a north-south direction. This ensures that the fruit ripens evenly. Compact the soil around the plants to encourage proper root development. The crown should not be buried too deeply because the plant could rot. Water the strawberry plants well after planting. This will reduce stress and give your strawberries a good start.
Plant strawberries in containers
You can also use strawberriesPlant in potsin August for a rich harvest in spring/summer. Growing strawberries in containers makes it easier to protect the fruit from slugs and other pests. It is best to plant them in classic strawberry urns with small compartments or strawberry towers, with one plant per compartment. You can also use a typical pot up to about 36cm in diameter where you can grow two to three plants. Larger vessels are also suitable.
Because strawberries have a short root system, they don't need very deep pots, but wider pots can allow them to spread out and produce more runners. It is important that you choose a container that has many drainage holes.
Suitable growing conditions
Strawberries grow in sunny locations and do not tolerate wet soil. Plant them in fertile, well-drained soil. They need protection from early frosts and hot summer winds and may need some shade from the afternoon sun in hot summers. Strawberries grow well both in beds and in containers.
The appropriate daily temperatures for the plants to develop well are between 20 and 24° C; Strawberry plants require lower night temperatures to produce high-quality fruit.
What care after planting
Mulching is very important for the new plants. This suppresses weeds. Additionally, mulch helps conserve soil moisture and keep fruit clean. Fertilize the plants in the fall when fruiting is complete and you want the plants to continue growing for another season.Check your strawberriesregularly and water when the top 5cm of soil feels dry. Watering once or twice a week is usually sufficient. Trim any damaged or dead leaves to reduce the spread of disease.
How do you protect plants in winter?
If the strawberries are not covered in winter, they will freeze at temperatures that are too low. Just a few inches of mulch over the strawberry plants in winter is enough to protect the buds from extreme cold. If you are growing strawberry plants in containers, keep the containers in a well-protected location and do not expose the plants to frost. Make sure you have enough light even during the winter season.
