Pruning strawberries

Content:

For a long time there has been a dispute between gardeners-gardeners: is it necessary to cut the strawberry foliage or not? If necessary, how much? And if not, why not? Let's discuss the reasons why pruning strawberries may be required. And in which cases, on the contrary, it is more likely to harm the plant than benefit. We will weigh all the pros and cons and choose the best option for each one.

What is strawberry pruning for?

Pruning strawberries: process photo

It is definitely not worth cutting the entire strawberry plantation under the "half-box", because your neighbors in the country do this. Before carrying out any manipulations with plantings, you need to understand what it is for and how it will help the plants.

So, for example, pruning strawberries is necessary if you want to partially rejuvenate the bush, remove diseased and dried leaves, and prevent various diseases. And also make it impossible for harmful insects to winter in strawberry leaves.

If there is enough reason for pruning strawberries, you spend it carefully, on time and with high-quality sharp tools, then it will only benefit the plant. It remains only to find out in what time frame to carry out the procedure so that the stress experienced by the plants is minimal.

When is strawberry leaf pruning done? Pruning strawberries after harvest

Pruning strawberries: process photo

Bushes are usually pruned either in the spring or after harvest. Or in the fall, when they finish work in the garden and in the garden and put everything in order before winter.

Let's look at all the options and talk about how strawberries carry this procedure over different periods.

Spring

If last winter there was very little snow, and the winter was cold at the same time, then there is a possibility that in spring strawberry bushes with sick, rotten and dried leaves will appear from under the snow.

Perhaps you mulched the plantation and in this case the roots did not suffer, but you will have to get rid of the damaged foliage. Prune it very carefully so as not to damage fresh foliage and developing buds.

Autumn

Carrying out autumn pruning, summer residents are guided by good intentions. They want to put the garden and vegetable garden in proper shape, remove all plant residues in order to prevent the development of infections and the reproduction of pests.

But at the same time, it is often forgotten that damaged foliage should be burned, and not sent to compost. And they also forget that foliage is a natural defense for the root system and there is a high probability that the bushes cut off in the fall will freeze.

And if they throw all their strength into growing new foliage, they may not freeze, but they will not have time to recover by the next season, which will noticeably affect the yield.

But if you are still sure that it is imperative to carry out the procedure for pruning strawberries in the fall, then do it in advance, before the onset of the first frost, trimming only the damaged leaves. And thoroughly mulch the strawberry plantation with fresh straw, spruce branches or peat.

July

By the middle of summer, the strawberries are already harvested, and, frankly, this is the most suitable time for pruning. There are still quite warm days ahead, the plants will acquire new leaves, get stronger and accumulate a supply of nutrients. This means that they will survive the frosty season much better.

How to prune strawberries correctly?

For the strawberry pruning procedure, you will need a well-sharpened pruner (if you don't have a pruner, you can use scissors). The foliage and whiskers of strawberries must be cut off; in no case should they be torn.

They are tough enough that you can severely damage the entire plant by pulling on the leaf. Sharp, quality gardening tools are often essential to the health of your plants.

Inspect each bush carefully, trim off any doubtful leaves, whiskers and peduncles that have stopped bearing fruit. Put it all in some kind of container, do not leave it in the aisles.

If in the process you find bushes affected by harmful insects or sick, dig them up and burn them. Disinfect the ground in this place with a solution of potassium permanganate. After the end of the pruning, you need to loosen the soil well in the aisles and around the bushes and water the strawberries well.

Pruning and caring for strawberries in spring: video

Trimming the strawberry mustache

The mustache grows all summer, spreading over the plantation and you need to decide what to do with it. Are you planning to plant another strawberry bed? Or maybe you need to replace diseased or frozen bushes?

Then it is worth letting the mustache grow a little, and then carefully plant the first sockets, cutting off everything unnecessary.

In the event that you do not need new strawberry bushes, then the mustache should be removed regularly so that it does not take away strength from the main bush. Trim them carefully (do not cut!) During each weeding.

Repair strawberry

Such strawberries differ in that they can yield not one, but two or three times a year. It is definitely never cut off completely, as this will greatly affect fruiting. The plant will begin to build up green mass instead of focusing on berries.

Therefore, throughout the season, cut off dried or diseased leaves as needed, and cut off the peduncles in the fall. Still, you can't wait for berries from them, but they take a lot of strength, let it be better for the bushes to recover and prepare for winter.

Caring for plants is not only about pruning, we must not forget about mulching, weeding and watering, as well as pest control. But believe me, if you cut the strawberry bushes correctly and on time, they will meet the spring strong and rested, and this will have a positive effect on the harvest.