There is no gardener-gardener who would not grow strawberries on his site. Correctly, it is called garden strawberry, but another name has taken root among the people, and everyone is used to it. Feeding strawberries in the fall after pruning is an important part of berry care. Strawberries are the first of the crops to yield a harvest, therefore, they are cared for from early spring until flowering and fruiting, which lasts until the end of summer. But this does not mean at all that after harvesting, care is not needed. Rather, on the contrary, it is during this period that garden strawberries require increased attention.
Why strawberries need autumn feeding after pruning
Fertilizers can be applied from the second year of life, until this period, the growth of strawberries will be provided by substances with which the soil was enriched during the planting process
During the fruiting period, strawberries are defenseless. There are several reasons for this:
- berries attract many pests - slugs, garden toads, insects and even birds, which can simply cause irreparable damage to the bush, disrupting its ability to grow;
- during flowering and ripening, harvesting, it is impossible to use agents against plant diseases and their pests;
- obligatory pruning after fruiting, when old leaves and unnecessary whiskers are removed, does not go unnoticed.
So closer to autumn, garden strawberries need feeding even more than in spring.
Most gardeners believe that strawberry pruning should be done without waiting until fall. The end of August is just that. Bushes should not waste energy and energy on growing unnecessary whiskers and old leaves, they will still be useful to them after wintering.
Top dressing should be started immediately after pruning, but not before. To get a good harvest in the spring, this should not be limited. At the end of October, you can once again feed the bushes preparing for the cold, at least with slurry.
Top dressing with special preparations
These include mineral fertilizers. For strawberries, the main thing is that they contain phosphorus and potassium. Other components are allowed, but there are certain restrictions.
The composition of mineral fertilizers for garden strawberries should not contain chlorine. It is destructive for this culture.
Ammofoska
The main advantage of ammophoska over many types of fertilizers is the absence of sodium, chlorine and other aggressive components
The most common type of such feeding. Has the following composition and qualities:
- phosphorus improves the process of future vegetation and strengthens the root system;
- nitrogen increases the production of essential vegetable protein;
- potassium maintains water balance;
- sulfur helps nitrogen assimilate.
The drug is introduced in 2 ways:
- directly into the ground - dosage 15–20 g / m2;
- by watering - 1 matchbox for 10 liters of water.
When applying the drug to the soil, abundant watering is especially necessary.
In the autumn period, it is allowed to use ammophoska twice - at the end of August and in October, while the frequency of watering must be strictly observed - reprocessing should be carried out no earlier than after 1.5 months.
Nitroammofoska
Fruit plants are sprayed with a solution with nitroammophos in the evening or in cloudy weather
Such fertilizers are similar in composition and action. Nitroammophoska can be considered a somewhat modified type of ammophoska - it does not include magnesium, but phosphorus dissolves here easier and faster.The frequency of application remains the same, but the concentration must be reduced to 10-15 g / m row.
Potassium salt
In 10 liters of water, 20 g of salt is dissolved and watered between the beds.
Superphosphate
It is diluted at the rate of 10 g of substance per bucket.
Watering should be done carefully so that the liquid does not get on the bushes and leaves, they can die right there.
Autumn Kemira
The mineral-containing composition is scattered at 50 g / m2 of the beds.
2 days after top dressing, mulching of the beds is recommended.
Feeding strawberries in the fall using improvised means
After any feeding, it is important to water the plant well.
These include organic, natural forms of feeding. They can be applied both separately and in combination with mineral fertilizers.
Cow dung
It cannot be used in its pure form. It quickly heats up in the sun and thereby burns the plant and its roots. Therefore, it is recommended to dilute it at the rate of 1 liter of mullein per bucket of water. The composition is infused for several days, then you can process the beds with it.
Bird droppings
It is bred in water and watered between the rows.
A good result is the use of compost from food waste, wood ash or simply mowed greenery laid in the aisle. Greens can be soaked and composted into silage.
Autumn Strawberry Care Video: Pruning and Fertilizing
Garden strawberries that have borne fruit should not be left unattended, they should be thanked for the harvest and take care of a new one. Novice gardeners definitely need to know how to feed strawberries in the fall after pruning. Then next year the bushes will delight you with tasty and large berries.
