- April is the perfect time to plant strawberries, especially the frigo varieties, which bear fruit after just a few weeks.
- Before planting strawberries, put chopped banana peels in the hole, which will provide them with the necessary nutrients.
- Banana peels, rich in potassium, phosphorus and magnesium, acidify the soil and stimulate the growth of strawberries, working better than many fertilizers.
- Learn how to prepare the soil, how to plant strawberries correctly and what kind of neighborhood to provide to enjoy abundant harvests!
Before planting the strawberries, put this in the hole. It will work better than the most expensive fertilizer
Spring is getting closer, which means that more work in the garden is entering the action phase. The upcoming April is the month of planting many fruit-bearing plants. It is in April that radishes, spinach, lettuce and cucumbers are planted for transplants. The turn of April and May is also the time to plant bare-root seedlings or the Frigo variety. It is characterized by a quick fruiting time. Frigo strawberries planted in spring will bear fruit after about 6/7 weeks, in the same season.
Appropriate weather conditions are needed for early spring. It is best to do this when temperatures are around 10 degrees Celsius and the ground is no longer frozen. After planting, strawberries require regular access to water, so you should not forget about watering. When planting strawberries in the ground, it is worth taking care of their proper soil. The soil should be permeable, fertile and slightly acidic with a pH of 5.5–6.5. My grandfather always placed chopped banana peels in the ground before putting the seedlings into the ground. He said that this treatment works better than any liquid fertilizer and stimulates and strengthens strawberry bushes from the first days. Banana peels are a rich source of many vitamins and minerals that have a positive effect on strawberries. They contain, among others, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and iodine. Additionally, they gently acidify the soil and make the seedlings take root and grow faster.
When planting, you should also remember about the good neighborhood. They should not be planted close to blackberries or raspberries. The company of these bushes has a negative impact on the fruit. On the other hand, strawberries grow very well near garlic and onions. These vegetables protect seedlings against fungal diseases.
How to plant strawberries in the ground?
Soil preparation is a key step. Start by thoroughly weeding the area. Remove all weeds, especially persistent ones. Then dig the soil to a depth of about 20-30 cm, loosening it and aerating it. Enrich the soil with compost or well-rotted manure – strawberries are voracious plants and need a lot of nutrients.
If you plan to grow on a larger scale, consider creating raised beds or ridges. This will improve drainage and facilitate care and harvesting. The height of the ridges should be approximately 20-30 cm and the width at the base should be approximately 40-50 cm. Before planting, dig holes deep enough so that the seedling’s roots fit freely in them and are not curled or curled. The spacing between seedlings depends on the variety and cultivation method, but is usually 25-35 cm within a row and 50-70 cm between rows.
The root collar, i.e. the place where the roots turn into leaves, should be exactly at ground level. Neither too deep (which may lead to rotting) nor too shallow (which will cause dryness). Lightly cover the roots with soil and press it lightly around the seedling to remove any empty spaces. After planting, water each seedling thoroughly. This will help the soil settle and provide the roots with moisture.
Homemade potassium nutrient for strawberries
Your strawberries need potassium to properly set fruit, enhance their flavor and improve disease resistance. Instead of using artificial fertilizers, you can prepare an effective homemade fertilizer. An excellent source of potassium is wood ash (from unburned hardwood) and banana peels. Simply sprinkle wood ash in a thin layer around the plants (about 50-100 g per square meter), and then water gently so that the nutrients flow into the soil.
