What should you do with strawberries to secure great harvest next year?

Strawberries are a very popular and everybody loves them. This year the harvest, but it does not mean you can leave strawberries grow wild and without any attention. On the contrary. You need to take care of them, and if you do, you will get an even bigger harvest next year.

You need to care for strawberries until autumn. And you need to do it properly. This is the only way to make sure that they will bear plenty of fruit next year. Here is a short list what you should not do during late summer and early autumn. Yes, you heard right. Things you should not do.

Do not fertilize with ammonia

Ammonia-based nutrition is needed, but somewhat controversial. If you want to use ammonia-based fertilizers, then go ahead but stop fertilizing at the end of summer or autumn. According to new findings ammonia reduces the ability of strawberries to “get ready” for the winter thereby reducing the ability of strawberries to deal with frost or so-called physiological drought.

Photo: Pixabay

Do not neglect fertilizers

If you think that strawberries no longer need fertilization around this time, you are mistaken but do not give them nitrogen, as this would impair the ripening process and your strawberries may not be able to survive the winter. Focus more on phosphorus and potassium. You can also try green manure. This is suitable for most strawberries unless you are growing them on a foil.

Mulch gradually degrades and breaks down, which is good, but you do not have to rush to add more. Instead, try sowing so-called “green manure” between strawberry plants, which will nourish the soil with all important substances that strawberries will need in the spring. Phacelia is best. Let it grow until it is dense enough but never let it bloom. Mow it and work it in the soil between strawberries. Now, you may renew the mulch – but first moisten the bed thoroughly.

Source: https://www.ireceptar.cz/zahrada/jahody-po-sklizni-20200703.html, https://izahradkar.cz/kalendarium-zahradkare/ovocna-zahrada/jahodnik-sklizni-potrebuje-letni-peci-cisteni-pleti-vyzivu/

Preview photo: Pixabay