All hobby gardeners would definitely agree with us – fruit and vegetables that you grow yourself taste much better. Particularly aromatic and full of flavor - fresh strawberries from the garden are always a dream and provide us with fresh fruit for snacking or for cakes and jam. But if you want to enjoy a generous and clean harvest, you should also mulch the small strawberries. Why do you put straw under strawberries? And how do you do that correctly? If you have already asked yourself these questions, then stay tuned! We have done some research for you and will explain to you why it is worth mulching strawberries with straw!
Before we explain to you why you should put straw under the strawberries, we would first like to briefly explain to you what mulching actually is. A thin layer of mulch ensures thatthe ground remains moistand the water is better stored in the earth. The mulch also protects the plants from heavy rain and frost, which in turn benefits growth. So if you want to harvest fresh and clean strawberries, then it is worth mulching the fruits. Straw is one of the most popular materials for mulching strawberries among gardeners.
Why do you put straw under strawberries?
Have you noticed that most strawberry fields are covered with straw? Why do you put straw under strawberries? A layer of straw mulch protects the fruits from various fungal diseases and ensures that they remain clean. If the strawberries lie directly on the ground, the soil will be splashed up by rain and irrigation water. And since the seeds of the fruit are on the outside, dirt can quickly get stuck in them.
As you know, we should not scrub the strawberries too hard, but rinse them very gently with cold water. And this is exactly why straw is placed under strawberries as a mulch layer. This also prevents direct contact with the ground, which in turn ensures that the berries dry quickly after rain and remain protected from rot.During the ripening periodStrawberries prefer moist soil and if you place straw under strawberries you ensure that the soil does not evaporate so quickly and remains constantly moist. Another advantage of mulching with straw is that it also protects the fruits from slugs.
How to put straw under strawberries?
You already know why you put straw under strawberries. Now you may be wondering when you should do this. So that you can enjoy a generous harvest, the timing of mulching is just as important as harvesting and fertilizing. You should never mulch the fruits while they are blooming, but rather when you see the first roots. Before you put straw under strawberries, you should first loosen the soil slightly with a hoe. Depending on the variety, the period from late April to early June is considered the optimal time for mulching. If you live in a colder area, you should apply the straw a little later.
If you are still unsure when to mulch the strawberries, remember the following rule - most of the petals have fallen off and as soon as you see the first green fruits, you can get started. Even during a rainy period, we recommend that you wait a while before mulching, otherwise the straw will become saturated and can no longer serve its purpose in the garden. And here we will explain to you step by step how to mulch strawberries with straw:
- Check the straw for pests.
- Loosen the soil slightly on the surface and remove weeds.
- Spread the mulch loosely around the plants, making sure that the straw is no higher than 4-5 centimeters.
- And that's it - it's so easy to place straw under strawberries.
- To prevent weed growth during the summer, you do not need to remove the straw from the ground later.
Also read:Caring for strawberries in March: cutting & fertilizing depending on the variety
