Do not wake up until spring: how to cover strawberries for the winter

Growing strawberries is a laborious task, but very grateful. Berry has excellent taste and ripens one of the first.

At the end of the growing season, strawberries continue to consume nutrients, laying new flower buds for next year's harvest and renewing the root system.

How to cover strawberries for the winter and what activities to conduct to improve the frost resistance of juicy berries?

Autumn chores

Strong healthy plants, grown according to all the rules of agricultural technology, well tolerate winter frosts. About how to cover strawberries for the winter, you need to take care ahead of time. It is necessary to make all fertilizers by the beginning of September and stop loosening the soil in order not to injure the root system. In October, it is necessary to effect the rooting of the roots with peat or humus.

Strawberries perfectly winter without any shelter, if the snow cover reaches 30-40 cm. But in conditions of changing climate, snow-less winters are not uncommon.

When to cover strawberries

Warming bushes for the winter should not be before the first frost has settled. The soil should freeze completely, otherwise the plants will get out. In addition, strawberries must be quenched in order to more easily survive the cold.

Uncovered bushes in the absence of a snow cover begin to freeze at a temperature below -8 ⁰ C. When the temperature drops below -12 ⁰ C, they may die.

When planning events, it is necessary to take into account the climate and location of the site. In some regions it is sufficient to protect the mulch roots, not falling asleep point of growth, in others it is necessary to cover it.

How to cover strawberries for the winter

The methods depend on the growing region. It is important not only to keep the strawberries from frost, but also not to let it vyryt. Shelter for hibernation of bushes should be not only warm, but also breathable.

Snow is the best blanket for strawberry beds. If in the winter it drops out enough, around the planting are installed the simplest fences, and between the bushes is laid several branches for better snow retention. In winter, you can move the snow to the strawberry beds from other areas.

How to cover strawberries for the winter, if there is little or no snow at all? You can use natural covering material: lapnik, leaves, straw and so on. Young rosettes should be sheltered completely, adult bushes will be enough to surround round.

With frequent thaws and increased dampness, some plants may vyprite by spring. In addition, in the straw like to settle mice, and the foliage can collapse and increase the probability of getting out. Spruce lapnik use is preferable. He must be thrown on the beds when the snow falls. You can use coniferous litter: one bag is enough for 25-30 bushes.

What and how to hide strawberries for winter if there is no possibility to use lapnik and other natural materials? It is very convenient to wrap the strawberry ridges with agrofiber.

It can also be used at the beginning of the growing season to prevent the freezing of flower buds during spring frosts and to achieve a yield of about 2 weeks before the time.

In small areas it is possible to install arcs and pull on them artificial materials (spunbond, agrospan, and so on). With this air-dry method, plants are perfectly protected from cold, evaporation of moisture passes unchecked, and sun rays penetrate the bushes. In addition, there is no contact between the covering material and the plants, which excludes their freezing.

Simple activities will save the plants until the spring and enjoy a new rich harvest.