How to feed strawberries during budding, flowering and fruiting?

Fertilizing strawberries in early spring and throughout subsequent stages of development is crucial. If you don't fertilize them on time or skip fertilizing altogether, the harvest will be delayed and not abundant. Fertilizing in the spring, when the season is just beginning, is especially important. Furthermore, during this period, it's necessary to implement a number of measures necessary for the proper development and fruiting of the crop.

Features of root fertilization

Caring for flowering strawberries involves fertilizing, proper watering, runner pruning, and pollination. To properly care for the plant, it's important to examine each step separately.

Fertilization scheme by age:

• During the first year of development, the berry does not require fertilization. When planted, the strawberry receives sufficient nutrition and minerals to last the season;
• 2nd year - it is necessary to fertilize the berries with mineral and organic fertilizers;
• 3rd year – the crop only needs mineral fertilizing;
• 4th year – needs organic and mineral fertilizers.

That's right, you need to rotate fertilizers annually according to age.

The first fertilization of strawberries is done early in the spring, around mid-April, when the snow has just melted and the leaves have not yet emerged. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers should be applied at this time. Before fertilizing, it is recommended to prune the bushes. This method will prevent repeated disturbance of the plant. Popular mineral fertilizers are used for fertilizing, or you can use folk recipes for preparing a solution.

Mineral complexes:

• 1 tbsp. ammonium sulfate + 2 tbsp. mullein + 10 l of water. Mix the fertilizer well. Apply 1 l per berry bush;
• 1 tbsp. nitroammophoska + 10 l of water. Apply 0.5 l per berry bush;
• Pour a bucket of fresh nettles into a bucket of water, preferably warm, and let steep for 3-4 days. For root feeding, the mixture can be left unstrained. Dilute it 1:10 liters with water. Depending on the size of the strawberry plant, water it with a rate of 1 liter to 0.5 liters per plant. For foliar feeding, strain the nettle solution and dilute it 1:20 liters with water.
• Fertilizers based on mullein or chicken manure are excellent. To prepare them, take one part of the manure or mullein and add 10 liters of water. Let the solution steep for 3-4 days. Water the strawberry plants at a rate of 0.5 liters of solution per plant.

To make root feeding more effective, it's best to simultaneously apply foliar feeding. This will allow the plant to receive several times more nutrition and beneficial elements.

Spring foliar feeding

It is carried out in cloudy, dry weather; the optimal time is early morning or late evening.

Rules for foliar feeding:

• carried out after abundant watering of strawberries;
• spraying begins with young shoots and leaves;
• A better yield can be expected if you fertilize strawberries during the flowering period;
• The most effective way to use fertilizer in the spring is to add boric acid.

The most optimal option for foliar spring feeding is a solution: 1 teaspoon of boric acid + 30 drops of iodine + 1 cup of ash + 10 liters of water.

Fertilizing during the flowering period

The second time, the plant is fed when it enters the flowering phase. This is around early June, when strawberries are just beginning to bloom. At this time, strawberries require potassium. Potassium feeding improves the appearance of the bushes and produces sweeter berries. Furthermore, the harvest will be several times greater than if this treatment were ignored. Potassium also helps strawberries store longer.

When a plant lacks this element, the tips of the leaves begin to turn brown. If you don't apply fertilizer in a timely manner to correct the situation, you could lose your entire harvest.

Popular fertilizers:

• 1 teaspoon of potassium nitrate + 10 liters of water. All berry bushes are watered with the resulting solution at a dosage of 0.5 liters;
• for foliar feeding, a 0.02% solution of zinc sulfate is used;
• At the beginning of the flowering phase, it is good to use a mullein solution.

Using such fertilizers allows for larger berries if an additional feeding is performed after the plant has finished flowering. Any complex fertilizer containing the maximum amount of micronutrients can be used for this purpose.

Folk methods of fertilization

There are several effective methods for fertilizing berries that are considered traditional. Compost is ideal for this purpose. Simply spread it in a circle around the plant; when it gets wet, nutrients are delivered to the root system.

Ash

Coniferous and wood ash, as well as ash from burning grapevines, sunflowers, and potato tops, contain a huge amount of beneficial microelements. Ash is applied in early spring. A handful of ash should be added to the hole when planting berry bushes.

For root feeding, it's recommended to make an ash solution. Dissolve 1 liter of ash in 10 liters of water and water each berry bush with 1 liter of the solution. Ash is very effective against diseases. If damaged or dry leaves appear on the bush, dust the bush with ash. Apply about 15 grams of ash to each infected bush.

Iodine

Iodine has antiseptic properties. It's used not only for treatment but also as a fertilizer. Spray the plant with an iodine solution before flowering. Repeat the procedure three times, 10 days apart. To make the solution, dissolve 5-10 drops of iodine in 10 liters of water. It's important to follow the dosage carefully, otherwise the plants may burn.

Bread crusts

Yeast, found in abundance in rye bread, promotes the growth of shrubs. To make the solution, soak one loaf of rye bread or its crusts in 1 liter of warm water. Allow it to ferment thoroughly for 7 days. This mixture is quite concentrated; dilute it in 10 liters of water before use.

Boric acid

During the budding period, it's very beneficial to feed the berries with a boric acid-based fertilizer. It stimulates bud formation. To prepare the solution, dissolve 2 grams of boric acid in 10 liters of water, add 1 liter of ash and 2 grams of potassium permanganate. Spray the entire bush with the solution on all sides.

Yeast

Yeast fertilization is also very beneficial. It helps strawberry plants grow faster and be less susceptible to disease. To apply the fertilizer, soak 200 g of fresh yeast in 0.5 liters of water and let it steep for 20 minutes. The water should be warm. Then, pour the mixture into 9 liters of water, and water the berries generously.

You can use dry baker's yeast. Prepare the mixture as follows: dissolve 1 packet of yeast and 2 tablespoons of sugar in 10 liters of water and let the mixture steep for 2 hours. Apply the fertilizer to the soil when the air temperature reaches 15 degrees Celsius.

Sour milk

To enrich the soil with phosphorus, sulfur, and potassium and normalize soil acidity, you can apply a fermented milk fertilizer. Before use, the fermented milk product is diluted with water at a ratio of 1:2. The milk is applied to the soil at a distance of 10 cm from the plant's root system. This method helps increase yields and disease resistance. The solution can be applied by root application or by spraying.

Mineral fertilizers

There are complex mineral fertilizers and single-component fertilizers. Single-component fertilizers deliver only one beneficial element to the soil, such as nitrogen, potassium, or phosphorus. Complex or compound fertilizers deliver several essential elements, along with substances such as copper, boron, iron, and calcium.

These fertilizers are available in granular, dry, and liquid forms. They can be used for both root and foliar feeding.

The next fertilization of strawberries should be done around mid-April, when the temperature should be at least 16 degrees Celsius. A urea-based fertilizer should be added to the soil. This is crucial, as strawberries absorb nitrogen poorly at lower temperatures. For this fertilizer, it's crucial to dilute the solution correctly. Add just 1 tablespoon of urea to 10 liters of water. Water each bush with the fertilizer at a dose of 0.5 liters.

Mineral fertilizers should be diluted strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions. Otherwise, a more concentrated solution may burn the plant, while a weaker one will have no effect.

Organic fertilizers

They have undeniable advantages. They are completely safe, environmentally friendly, and accessible to everyone.

One such remedy is chicken manure. Its solution is applied to the soil in early spring only once every 2-3 years. This fertilizer supplies the soil with a huge amount of beneficial macro- and microelements. The manure-based solution is prepared in a 1:2 ratio with water and mixed well. To make a working solution, dilute 1 liter of this mixture with 10 liters of water. It is applied to the soil at a distance of 8-10 cm, not directly under the bush itself.

Mineral and organic fertilizers

The greatest effectiveness is achieved by fertilizing plants with mineral-organic fertilizers. These include all the nutrients and microelements the plant requires. They are applied when the leaves begin to unfurl.

Mineral-organic complexes:

• Dissolve 1 tbsp. ammonium sulfate in 10 liters of water. Water with the product at a dosage of 1 liter;
• 1 tbsp. urea + 0.5 tbsp. ash + 0.5 tsp. boric acid + 3 g potassium permanganate. Dissolve all ingredients in 10 liters of water. Water at a rate of 0.5 liters per bush.

Removing unwanted mustache

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Strawberry runners grow very quickly, so if left unattended, your strawberry plantings will become overcrowded. Trimming runners promptly will ensure high-quality planting material. To increase strawberry yields, remove excess runners.

For planting material, select the first rosettes of runners. They should be lightly covered with soil to allow them to root. Once fully rooted, the runner and subsequent rosettes should be cut off. By the end of August, the strawberries can be planted in their permanent location.

Rules for trimming mustaches:

• It is strictly forbidden to pick off strawberry runners, as you can tear out the entire plant or damage the roots along with them;
• Carry out pruning in dry, cloudy weather. Pruning can also be done early in the morning or late in the evening. Pruning the plant in hot weather is not recommended. High temperatures and scorching sun can stress the plant, and damp weather can lead to fungal or infectious diseases.
• trim the whiskers at a distance of 10 cm from the native bush;
• pruning is carried out using sharp pruning shears or scissors.

If you follow all the recommendations, the plant will not get sick and will adapt immediately after the procedure.

Watering during flowering

Watering is crucial for strawberries during the flowering phase. At this stage, they require moderate and regular watering. Insufficient moisture can negatively impact the fruit, preventing it from ripening properly. Overwatering is also undesirable, as it can cause rot. Therefore, it's important to strike a balance when watering.

In particular, everything depends on climate conditions. If there is a lot of rainfall during this period, strawberries do not need watering at all. If the weather is dry and hot, the berries should be watered every three days.

Strawberries should be watered with water that's close to the soil temperature. Cold water is not recommended. Watering should be done strictly at the roots, ensuring that the plant's roots are not exposed.

Pollination of strawberries

Incomplete pollination can be caused by rain, fog, or low temperatures, resulting in small, misshapen berries. To help the strawberries, you can resort to hand pollination. To do this, use a sponge or soft cloth to transfer pollen from one flower to another. If the strawberries are large, pollination can be done using a fan.

Another way to pollinate strawberries is with a honey solution. Dilute 1 tablespoon of honey in 1 liter of warm water and spray the solution on the bushes. This will attract pollinating insects, which will help with natural pollination.

Each of the steps described above is crucial for strawberry development. If you care for the crop properly and don't miss any important steps, you can reap a harvest of delicious, large berries from your strawberry patch every year.