The Best Time to Plant Strawberries and the Ideal Soil Explained

When is the best time to plant strawberries? Seeds are sown in autumn, while spring is mainly for planting runners. So what kind of soil is best for planting strawberries? Let's take a look below.

After the Start of Spring, use garden soil (potting soil), vermiculite, and perlite mixed at a ratio of 2:1:1 for the soil. Strawberries are plants that fear harsh sun and waterlogging, so when we water, we generally check whether the surface soil is dry before watering again, following the principle of preferring dry over wet. In summer, take care to prevent sunscald and pests and diseases. Apply compound fertilizer two weeks before flowering; when flowering, brush the flower centers with a clean soft brush. When fruiting, apply compound fertilizer again.

When is the best time to plant strawberries? Strawberry planting methods and timing

Strawberries are generally planted in spring, autumn, or even in all four seasons, because they are perennial plants.

What soil is suitable for planting strawberries? Strawberries are not very strict about soil conditions and can grow in various soils, but because strawberry roots are shallow and mainly concentrated in the top 30 cm of soil, the structure and texture of the surface soil have a great influence on strawberry growth. To make strawberries grow well and obtain high yields of quality berries, it is best to cultivate them in soil rich in organic matter with good water and fertilizer retention. The organic matter content in the soil is usually required to be 1.5-2%; if the organic matter content is below 1%, the plants grow poorly and yields are low. As for inorganic fertilizer requirements, strawberries should be given mainly phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, with nitrogen applied sparingly. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers play an important role in fruit color, sweetness, aroma, and quality. Strawberries have strong adaptability to soil acidity and alkalinity, and can grow in slightly acidic or slightly alkaline soil; the most suitable pH for root growth is 5.8-6.5. When the pH is below 4 or above 8, the plants grow poorly and in severe cases may die.

Strawberries are sensitive to salt concentration in the soil, and heavily saline-alkaline land is not suitable for planting strawberries. Strawberries are not tolerant of waterlogging and require soil that has both sufficient moisture and good aeration; soil that is too heavy or waterlogged is not suitable for planting strawberries. Strawberries are not suitable for planting in marshy land or calcareous soil. Such soils have a tight structure, poor aeration, and nutrients are difficult to decompose and absorb. Although sandy soil has poor water and fertilizer retention, it can still be planted if more fertilizer is applied and watering is frequent. In short, fertile sandy loam or loam is best.

Strawberry planting methods:

1. Strawberries are suitable for planting in soil with plenty of sunlight and good drainage. The soil depth should be about 15-20 cm.

2. For large strawberry plants, the row spacing should be 30 cm and the plant spacing about 45 cm. Remove the runners from the plants in time to favor fruiting. Strawberry yields are cyclical, so it is best to cultivate some new plants in the first few years of planting.

3. If you do not like managing strawberries, you can plant one strawberry every 45-60 cm, so the strawberries can spread freely. Of course, it will look a bit messy, and the strawberries will not be large. If you want to avoid this, you can remove some runners as appropriate.

4. In autumn, spread a layer of soil over the plants to prevent frost. After the soil freezes, you can spread 5-10 cm of dry straw over the plants. In the spring of the following year, when new leaves grow, remove the dry straw. When the weather turns warm and stable, remove the covering soil from the plant surface. But leave some dry straw between the rows to prevent weed growth and maintain soil moisture. The above are the strawberry planting methods. People should note that the soil needs to be fertile and loose, and it should be loosened and weeded frequently, with sufficient organic fertilizer applied. Strawberries like warmth, so in winter they must be kept moist to survive the winter, and the soil must be kept moist.

The edible value of strawberries

Ingredient content: Strawberries are rich in amino acids, fructose, sucrose, glucose, citric acid, malic acid, pectin, carotene, vitamin B1, B2, niacin, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and iron. These nutrients have a very good promoting effect on growth and development, and are greatly beneficial to the elderly and children.

Foreign scholars have found through research that the active ingredients in strawberries can inhibit the growth of cancer tumors. Every 100 grams of strawberries contains 50-100 mg of vitamin C, more than 10 times that of apples and grapes.

Scientific research has already confirmed that vitamin C can eliminate the state of looseness and tension between cells, making brain cell structures firm and the skin delicate and elastic, and it has an important impact on brain and intellectual development. Eating some strawberries after a meal can break down food fat and aid digestion.

Dietary therapy value

1. For diabetes: an appropriate amount of fresh strawberries. Wash them and eat them frequently.

2. For dry cough: 60 grams of fresh strawberries, 30 grams of rock sugar. Put both ingredients into a pot and steam them until soft over water. Take in 3 divided doses daily.

Strawberry care

Once strawberries begin to fruit and turn red, be careful not to let birds peck at them, because birds easily notice red things. Put a net over the strawberries, or cover them with a wooden basket. However, if you have a greenhouse at home, you can move the strawberries into the greenhouse, which is even better. Strawberries will also fruit more easily. After the strawberry fruiting period is over, you can move them out of the greenhouse and place them outdoors to overwinter. In a way, if the strawberry plants experience some frost, it is even better for increasing yields the following year.

Strawberries are very easy plants to grow and can be transplanted. Sometimes you may find yellow leaves on the plants, but do not worry; just remove them. In winter, you can keep the yellow leaves until new leaves grow in the following spring, then remove the dead yellow leaves, and pay attention to watering, weeding, and pest control.

You can also plant strawberries in plant bags, but be sure to water evenly and prevent birds from pecking the strawberries and prevent pest damage. The soil in plant bags dries out easily, so it needs to be checked often to keep the soil moist. Tips for growing strawberries

Strawberries are suitable for planting in soil with plenty of sunlight and good drainage. The soil depth should be about 8-10 inches.

For large strawberry plants, the row spacing should be 12 inches and the plant spacing about 18 inches. Remove the runners from the plants in time to favor fruiting. Strawberry yields are cyclical, so it is best to cultivate some new plants in the first few years of planting.

If you do not like managing strawberries, you can plant one strawberry every 18-24 inches, so the strawberries can spread freely. Of course, it will look a bit messy, and the strawberries will not be large. If you want to avoid this, you can remove some runners as appropriate.

In autumn, spread a layer of soil over the plants to prevent frost. After the soil freezes, you can spread 3-4 inches of dry straw over the plants. In the spring of the following year, when new leaves grow, remove the dry straw. When the weather turns warm and stable, remove the covering soil from the plant surface. But leave some dry straw between the rows to prevent weed growth and maintain soil moisture.