The quality of a strawberry harvest largely depends on the extent to which the plants and fruits are protected from dirt and frost. Adequate coverage can go a long way. Here's how to do it correctly.

Straw - natural protection from cold and dirt

No artificial or chemical materials come through the garden gate for an environmentally conscious hobby gardener. That's a good thing, because Mother Nature provides a wealth of biological resources. For frost-sensitive strawberry plants, straw and hay are high on the list of effective tools to protect the shallow root system from frostbite. How to use it correctly:

  • Spread a 2-3 centimeter thick layer of straw under the strawberry plants in the bed and flower box
  • immediately after planting, but at the latest after flowering
  • Work the mulch (€239.00) into the soil every spring and distribute fresh straw and hay

The stable, dried grass protects the strawberries from damage in several ways. Late ground frosts do not penetrate, direct sunlight does not cause drought stress and the fruits close to the ground remain appetizingly clean.

Suitable alternatives to covering with straw

Straw and hay are by no means the only cover for strawberry plants. The following variants have also proven to be practical:

  • Bark mulch: keeps the soil moist and warm and the strawberries clean
  • Sawdust from untreated wood: also repels snails
  • Wood wool: the ideal cover in tubs and planters
  • Fir fronds: they are still useful after the pruning

Whichever variant of a cover is used; the underlay must not be left on the floor for a long time when it is soaked. Fungal diseases, mold and rot develop within a short time. Therefore, check the material regularly and replace it in good time if necessary.

Safely fend off pecking birds

Since straw, hay and other biological covers do not protect the strawberry plants from hungry birds, another variant comes into play in this case. With a mesh size of 7×7 mm, high-quality bird protection nets are narrow enough so that the animals do not get caught in them. At the same time, the material is so light that it can rest on the strawberries.

tips and tricks

Even during the sowing of strawberries, a cover contributes effectively to germination. In this respect, the natural silicate vermiculite has established itself as a useful seed helper. The tiny plates protect the seeds from blazing sun, drought and leaching, while at the same time allowing enough light to reach the seeds.

Category:

Vegetable garden