Fertilizing strawberries in spring, summer, autumn. How to fertilize strawberries in spring for a better harvest? Feeding strawberries after winter in early spring, before flowering, during flowering, with organic matter and mineral fertilizers. How to feed garden strawberries in spring

The rules for growing strawberries involve periodic feeding. They are necessary for the growth and development of plants, obtaining a large and high-quality harvest, and protection from diseases and pests. Feeding must be done in stages. The choice of fertilizers is very large.

When do strawberries need fertilizing?

It is imperative to feed strawberries in the spring season. Otherwise, you may end up with a crop that is too small or of poor quality.

The crop can do without fertilizing in the first year of planting, provided that a sufficient amount of fertilizer was applied during planting. From the second year the plant must be fed.

The next year after planting, organic and mineral fertilizers are suitable for strawberries. In the third year of planting, it is better to limit yourself to minerals only. In the fourth year, you can add organic matter again.

The crop may require additional feeding if there is a lack of any substances. This can be identified by the appearance of the plant:

• Calcium deficiency is manifested by darkened leaf tips that turn brown. In this case, you can lose the harvest.
• Without enough potassium, the leaves begin to turn pale and dry out at the edges. Due to uneven development, leaf blades become wrinkled.
• A lack of nitrogen is expressed in weak flowering, small pale green leaves, and delayed fruiting.
• Phosphorus deficiency is manifested by slow leaf growth and a reddish-green color.
• A crop shows a lack of magnesium by replacing the green color with red or purple.
• With a lack of manganese, leaves dry out and drop.

Calcium (Ca) deficiency: leaf tip burn and deformation

Insufficient potassium (K): leaves turn pale, edges dry out

Strawberry leaves with nitrogen (N) deficiency become light green (no bright green veins). Healthy strawberries have rich green leaves.

Phosphorus (P) deficiency: dark green leaves with a bluish or red tint

Magnesium (Mg) deficiency: leaves turn pale, areas between veins become lighter and dry out

Manganese (Mn) deficiency: yellowing between the veins, leaves with a mosaic of green and yellow dots

Varieties of strawberry dressings

The main feedings are root and foliar:

• Fertilizer should be applied by root method after rains or watering. After adding the nutrient solution, the soil must be watered again.
• The foliar feeding option usually involves spraying. It is better for them to choose cloudy weather. On sunny days, spraying is best done in the evening or early morning. Foliar feeding should be used in case of high soil acidity, problems with the root system, or signs of deficiency of any element in different parts of the plant. Applying fertilizers this way means a lower concentration.

Based on their composition, fertilizers are divided into

• Organic. This variety is of animal or plant origin. This group includes compost, manure (including bird droppings) and ash.
• Mineral. They can be made on the basis of nitrogen, potassium or phosphorus.
• Complex compositions. They imply a combination of various micro- and macroelements.

How can you feed strawberries in the spring?

Various means are used as fertilizers for strawberries. These are mainly organic matter and mineral fertilizers. You can also use folk recipes and remedies from the pharmacy - they are no less effective.

Mineral fertilizers

In early spring, you can use nitroammophoska for feeding. You need to dilute 1 tbsp. l. products in a 10-liter bucket of water. This volume is enough for 20 bushes.

In the second half of April, urea can also be used as a top dressing. This remedy is appropriate if the air temperature is not lower than 16 degrees. To prepare a solution for feeding, you need to dilute 1 tbsp in a bucket of water. l. urea. Distribute the resulting volume into 20 bushes.

During flowering, the plant needs potassium. For this feeding, add potassium nitrate to the water (1 tsp per 10 l) and water the plants (1 l per 2 bushes). A similar solution can be used for spraying. To feed during flowering, you can add nitrophosphate (2 tbsp) to potassium.

When planting strawberries or a week before, superphosphates should be added. You need 30 g of product per square meter, potassium sulfate or potassium magnesium is also added to it (the volume is 2 times less than superphosphates).

When using mineral fertilizers, you must adhere to the dosages specified by the manufacturer. Otherwise, you may be left without a harvest, since it will not be suitable for food.

Organic fertilizers

Such supplements are attractive due to their natural origin. The following options work well for strawberries:

• Green tea. To prepare such a remedy, you need to fill a bucket with nettles and pour warm water over it for several days. Root feeding is carried out after diluting the composition in 10 parts of water. For spraying, the infusion is filtered and diluted with 20 parts of water. One bush requires no more than 1 liter of solution.
• Chicken droppings. Such organic matter must be soaked in 20 parts of water and left for several days. Half a liter of fertilizer is applied to each bush.
• Mullein. The feeding solution is prepared according to the same principle as the chicken manure solution. It can be used for feeding in early spring, as well as at the beginning of flowering.
• Compost. This fertilizer has an attractive soft effect. You need to lay a layer of about 5 cm around the bush, leaving a little free space near its base.
• Ash. For strawberries, the best source of such fertilizer is wheat and rye straw, birch, and coniferous trees. It is enough to place a handful of ash under each bush in early spring and repeat the procedure after pruning at the end of the season. Spring feeding is also carried out with infusion of ash. If yellow spots appear on the leaves or they begin to rot, then the ash is used for dusting. 2 tbsp is enough. l. funds for one bush.

Feeding with green tea from nettles

Chicken manure fertilizer

Feeding with mullein solution

Fertilizing with compost

Feeding with ash

Do not allow an excess of organic matter. The plant should receive most of it at the beginning of the growing season.

You should not use fresh horse or cow manure for strawberries. Such fertilizer must be stale.

Complex formulations

Strawberries are often fertilized with a mixture of organic matter and minerals. For the first feeding, it is good to use ammonium sulfate and mullein. For one bucket (10 l) you will need 1 tbsp. l. granules and half a liter of organic matter. This volume needs to be distributed among 10 bushes.

To fertilize strawberries, you can use other complex fertilizers from the store. These include Rastvorin, Hera, Kemira, Ryazanochka, NutriFight.

The advantage of complex fertilizers is their balanced composition and versatility. One product is usually suitable for several crops. It should be used in accordance with the instructions.

Watch the video with a recipe for the complex composition of an effective fertilizer for strawberries:

Pharmacy products

To feed strawberries, you can use some medicinal formulations. Most of them can be found in any person’s home:

• Iodine. This product is a good fertilizer and disease prevention. It is better to use it before flowering in the form of spraying. To prepare the solution, just add 4 drops of iodine to a bucket of water. The treatment should be repeated two more times with an interval of 1.5 weeks.
• Boric acid. This product is effective as a spray at the beginning of flowering. To prepare the solution, dilute 5 g of the product in a bucket of water (10 l). To boric acid for this amount of water you can add 30 drops of iodine and a glass of ash. Apply no more than 1 liter of solution to each bush.
• Boric acid and potassium permanganate. This mixture stimulates the formation of ovaries. It is enough to add 2 g of each product to a bucket of water; in addition, you can use a glass of pre-sifted ash. The solution is used for spraying.
• Ammonia (10%). This product is useful for strawberry growth, increasing yield, and preventing pests. For the first feeding, add 40 ml of ammonia and a liter of soap solution to a bucket of water (10 l). Water the soil with this solution, being careful not to get it on the plant itself. Feeding should be repeated at the flowering stage. You can feed the plant again after harvesting. To do this, instead of a soap solution, add 5 drops of iodine.

Folk remedies

Over several centuries of growing strawberries, people have discovered many ways to feed them. The following options are especially effective:

• Infusion on bread crusts (rye). It is enough to soak the bread in water and dilute the resulting infusion in 10 parts of water after a week.
• Spoiled milk. This product can be used effectively if the soil is slightly acidic. You need to dilute the product in 2 parts of water and pour the soil in a circle, moving 10 cm away from the bush. This fertilizing can be done three times a season - in early spring, after harvesting, in September. The sour product has a positive effect on yield, activates crop growth, and provides protection against certain diseases and pests.
• Yeast. A live product must be used. Dissolve 200 g of yeast in half a liter of water and leave for 20 minutes. Pour the resulting mixture into a 10-liter bucket of water. This solution should be poured generously over the strawberries.

Stages of feeding strawberries

It is worth feeding strawberries according to a certain pattern. Additionally, the crop needs to be fertilized if there are signs of a lack of any substance.

In standard situations, fertilizing is carried out according to the following scheme:

1. The first time fertilizer is applied in mid-spring, when the snow melts and the leaves have not yet blossomed. It is better to combine fertilizing with pruning bushes. This allows you to avoid damaging the plant again.
2. The next fertilizing is necessary for the crop at the flowering stage. Applying the right fertilizer will make the berries sweeter and they will last longer.
3. Feeding can be done at the stage of ovary growth. This will have a positive effect on the volume of the harvest and the size of the berries. Fertilizer should be applied foliar.
4. Another important spring feeding is carried out during the formation of fruits.
5. The plant needs feeding when fruiting has completed. At this stage, the application of fertilizers activates the formation of new roots and the formation of flower buds.
6. The last feeding is carried out in the fall to prepare the crop for wintering.

Common Mistakes

Many gardeners, due to inexperience, make mistakes when feeding strawberries. Typically they are as follows:

• Adding a large amount of organic matter. In this case, the green mass grows and rotting in the soil may begin. Excess organic matter prevents the formation of berries.
• If you use bird droppings or mullein in large quantities, you can cause leaf burn. As a result, the plants may finally die.
• Incorrect calculation of fertilizer concentration. If you use an insufficient amount of the product, the fertilizing will be ineffective. An excess of fertilizer can negatively affect the plant and make the berries inedible.
• Ignoring the need for spring spraying. This stage is important to protect the plant from diseases and pests. If you miss it, you can lose most of the harvest or be left without it altogether.

When working with various fertilizers, you should take care of personal protection. Some products may cause an undesirable reaction if they come into contact with the skin. Fertilizers should be kept out of the reach of children, as there is a high risk of poisoning if the composition gets inside.

It is imperative to feed strawberries in the spring. The application of fertilizers is important for the normal development of the crop, its productivity, protection from diseases and pests. Feeding should be carried out according to a certain scheme. A deficiency or excess of any substance can be detrimental to the plant.

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When spring comes to an end, all summer residents and gardeners begin to wait for the first homemade strawberries to appear in the beds. After all, it is she who opens the fruit and berry season. Much later you will be able to enjoy currants, gooseberries, and raspberries. But the very first strawberries are the most desirable! Below we’ll talk about how to properly fertilize strawberries for a better harvest.

Planting and fertilizing strawberries - how and when is the best time to do it

It is best to plant strawberries in the fall, preferably in warm weather, so that before winter they have time to get stronger and grow leaves. Then in the spring it will bear fruit much more abundantly. If these deadlines are missed, then it’s okay, spring planting will also be successful. The main thing is to follow a few rules:

• The root collar should be at soil level; if lower, it will become clogged with soil; if higher, the roots will be exposed. In both cases, the plant may die.
• For the first 10–15 days after transplantation, you should water the strawberries generously every day.

After the seedlings take root, it is necessary to provide them with proper care: loosening, weeding, watering and fertilizing.

It is advisable to fertilize strawberries planted in open ground several times per season:

1. 1. in the spring, when the bush is growing and needs nitrogen;
2. 2. during the budding period, fertilize with phosphorus;
3. 3. after fruiting, using complex fertilizers;
4. 4. in the fall, before the cold weather, enriching the soil with potassium.

What fertilizers to use - organic or mineral - everyone decides for themselves. Of course, it is safer to work with organics. Here you can not be afraid to use too much fertilizer, because it will not harm the plant in any way, it will only take what it needs. You can feed the plant at any time, since such additives are not harmful to humans. True, you will have to tinker with such natural infusions and mixtures a little more; you cannot buy them ready-made in the store. And the results of organic farming, of course, are slightly weaker.

If you decide to use ready-made mineral fertilizers, be sure to follow the instructions and do not exceed dosages so as not to harm either the plant or yourself. Also note that it is better to use them a couple of weeks before the first harvest.

Feeding with nitrogen and phosphorus - helping strawberries grow and get stronger

After the snow melts and warm weather sets in, it is necessary to prepare the strawberry beds and bushes for further feeding:

• If the strawberries were covered with mulch or sawdust for the winter, they must be removed;
• If there are dried leaves or old tops on the bushes, then they need to be cut off with pruners or scissors;
• The ground needs to be loosened.

It is also worth moistening the soil before fertilizing if it has not rained for a long time. In wet soil, the fertilizer will be distributed more evenly, but in dry soil it can burn the roots. For the same reason, it is better to apply any fertilizer between the rows, and not under the strawberry bush.

Immediately after warm weather sets in, it is worth feeding the strawberries with nitrogen. It stimulates the growth of the above-ground part of the plant well. By adding such fertilizers, we will help the bush grow powerful and strong, its leaves will be dense and fleshy.

Here are several options for nitrogen fertilizing:

• Manure or mullein. Used as root feeding. We dilute it in water in a ratio of 1:10 and let the mixture sit for 2-3 days to remove ammonia. It is worth noting that we use manure only in rotted form, since fresh manure contains a large number of weed seeds.
• Chicken droppings. We also use it as root bait, diluted in a ratio of 1:20. We use it once every 2-3 years.
• Nitroammophoska. We use an aqueous solution in the proportion of one tablespoon per 10 liters of water.
• Ammonium sulfate. We dilute it with mullein and water in the ratio of one tablespoon per liter of mullein and 10 liters of water.
• Urea. Dilute in a ratio of one tablespoon per 10 liters of water.

When using nitrogen fertilizers, it is necessary to observe moderation, since their excess will lead to the absence of ovaries, and therefore fruits.

In late spring or early summer (depending on the region and weather conditions), during the period of bud formation and flowering, the plant needs phosphorus. For this you can use superphosphate or ammophos. Phosphorus is also very useful in the first year of garden strawberry growing, so we add it when planting. We take into account that phosphorus, unlike nitrogen, decomposes slowly, so it is enough to introduce it into the soil once a year.

Folk recipes for feeding strawberries

In addition to standard procedures, many gardeners use their own methods, proven over the years, to fertilize strawberries in the spring for a better harvest.

So, knowing that the berry loves slightly acidic soils, it is often fed with fermented milk products. We dilute the sour milk with water in a ratio of 1:2 and water the soil at a distance of 7–10 cm from the bush. But such bait, of course, is only convenient if you have a small number of bushes.

The second most popular feeding is yeast. Soak the bread in water and let it ferment for a week. We dilute the resulting solution with water in a ratio of 1:10 and use it for root feeding. This procedure can be repeated twice a season, but only in warm weather, so as not to stop the fermentation process.

Fertilizing with wood ash is no less effective. It can be used in dry form, sprinkling the soil and thus protecting it from pests and diseases, and in the form of a solution in the proportion of 2 tablespoons per liter of water. But you should not combine ash with urea, saltpeter or manure, otherwise it will lose all its beneficial properties.

Recently, a type of feeding such as nettle infusion has also become popular. To prepare a nutrient solution, fill a bucket of chopped and mashed nettles with water and leave it in a warm place to brew for several days, until the solution begins to slightly foam and ferment. For fertilizer we use an infusion diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. We water the plant at the root with it. Also, the strained and diluted infusion can be used for foliar treatment, that is, spray the leaves of the plant.

Watering strawberries - everything is good in moderation

The quantity and quality of the crop is also greatly affected by the frequency of watering. After all, if water is vital for a plant during the period of growth and flowering, then during the period of ripening of berries it only interferes. Excess moisture affects the taste of strawberries; they become more watery and not as sweet and aromatic. But it is also impossible to stop watering for the entire fruiting period, otherwise the harvest will be reduced. We recommend watering the bushes immediately after collecting all the ripe berries, and then taking a break for 2-3 days. During this time, the following berries will have time to ripen and gain sugar content.

You can also avoid frequent watering in hot weather by mulching the soil. To do this, we use leaves, straw or sawdust.

After harvesting the entire harvest, you should also not stop watering the strawberries, because during this period new buds are formed, which affect the next year’s yield.

Schemes for summer and autumn bait of regular and remontant strawberries

In the summer, strawberry bushes that have already borne fruit also require feeding, since during this period new flower buds are formed, on which the next year's harvest depends. Potassium and trace elements will come to the rescue here, for example:

• Potassium nitrate. Used in a solution of 1 tablespoon per 5 liters of water.
• Nitroammophoska. Used together with potassium sulfate in the form of a solution (for 10 liters of water, 2 tablespoons of nitroammophoska and 1 teaspoon of sulfate).

We apply these solutions at the root, after watering the soil abundantly. If you are afraid of damaging the roots, you can divide this bait into two stages with an interval of two weeks.

The last application of fertilizers is made in the fall, before covering the plants for the winter with mulch or straw. It is especially useful to feed young bushes in the fall to help them survive the cold. For this, it is good to use, for example, ash or mullein.

Also during this period, you can treat the plants against pests, for example, spray them with copper sulfate. Well, after that you can continue preparing the strawberries for winter.

These bait schemes are relevant for strawberries with one harvest cycle. Remontant strawberries spend more substances for such a long harvest period, so they need to be fertilized more often. She should be fed with complex fertilizers (for example, nitroammophoska) every two weeks, starting in early spring and ending in September. In September, it is only necessary to exclude nitrogen from fertilizers in order to stop the active growth of the bush and thereby help it prepare for wintering.

That's all the advice on growing strawberries. Now you can enjoy this beautiful berry all summer long in your garden bed or in a pot on the windowsill all year round!

It is probably difficult to find a person who does not love the juicy, aromatic and sweet berry - strawberries. This miracle is grown in a variety of climatic zones, on different soils, using a variety of agricultural techniques.

However, few people know what fertilizer should be applied to strawberries in the spring.

When do you start fertilizing strawberries in spring?

During the summer season, strawberries are fed three times:

1. in spring;
2. after harvest;
3. before preparing for winter.

The first fertilization of strawberries is carried out after spring loosening, at the very beginning of the summer season, when warm weather sets in (April-May) and the plant’s first leaves appear. In this case, all actions are aimed at stimulating the growth of leaves and shoots, so fertilizers must contain nitrogen (it is best to prepare organic matter).

Feeding strawberries with iodine is also very effective, which is especially important in spring.

The second time the strawberries are fed after the berries are set. At this time, new roots are formed and buds are laid for the next season, so fertilizers should contain potassium and useful microelements. Most often, at this stage of growing plants, mullein is used, and to saturate the soil with potassium fertilizers, ash is added to the soil.

Did you know? Strawberries have a lot of beneficial properties. For example, in terms of vitamin C content, only currants are ahead of it, and there is more folic acid in strawberries than in raspberries and grapes.

During flowering of the plant, to increase the yield, it is recommended to spray the bushes with a solution of zinc sulfate or boric acid. During spraying, beneficial substances are immediately absorbed into the foliage. This procedure is carried out in the evening, in calm and dry weather.

How to fertilize strawberries in spring

According to experienced gardeners, spring feeding of strawberries in early spring will make it possible to harvest a decent harvest of this fragrant berry. But what fertilizers are best to use so as not to harm your health?

Organic fertilizers

No matter what fertilizers are invented in chemical laboratories, the best fertilizer for strawberries is manure and humus.

1. Manure (mullein)- litter from premises with domestic animals, mixed with their excrement. Actively used to fertilize the soil. Manure is also the best fertilizer option if you're looking for something to feed your strawberries before they bloom in the spring.

   For 10 liters of water you need to dilute 2 cups of manure and add a tablespoon of sodium sulfate. All this is thoroughly mixed to a mushy state, after which the resulting mixture is watered on the ground under each bush (1 liter). You can also sprinkle manure under the strawberry roots and cover the top with a layer of earth (2-3 cm).

2. Humus- completely decomposed manure. It is considered the best fertilizer for strawberries in the spring, as it provides the maximum concentration of nutrients in a form that is best absorbed by crop plants.
3. Chicken droppings. It is a rich source of nitrogen. For strawberries, use a weak (20 parts of water per part of the litter) solution of this organic compound. The infusion is kept for 3 days and 0.5 liters of the mixture are fertilized for each bush. After it, the plant grows strongly and pleases with large fruits.

Important! Manure is used only in rotted form, since fresh material contains a lot of weed seeds that are ready to germinate on fertilized soil.

1. Dairy products. They are successfully used for fertilizing, since strawberries love slightly acidic soils. In addition, milk contains calcium, sulfur, phosphorus, nitrogen, amino acids and other minerals. It is best to add sour milk to humus, manure or ash. In addition, diluted milk will help get rid of the tick.
2. Bread. Many gardeners claim that there is no better way to feed strawberries in May than yeast. Yeast contains amino acids, proteins, minerals, and perfectly acidifies the soil. The strawberry roots are strengthened, the berry receives good nutrition and grows large.

   To do this, the bread is soaked in water for 6-10 days, after which the resulting solution is diluted in water in a ratio of 1:10. You can also use live culinary yeast: dilute 200 g of yeast in 0.5 liters of warm water and leave for 20 minutes. Then dilute the mixture in 9 liters of water and water each bush generously.

3. Weeds. This feeding does not harm either strawberries or people. To prepare the fertilizer, weeds remaining after weeding are collected and filled with water. A week later, the resulting solution is poured over the strawberries. This fertilizing will help increase the number of fruits, have a positive effect on the taste of the berries and protect your strawberries from some pests.
4. Ash. Wood ash for strawberries in the spring is a very effective fertilizer. It can be used as root and foliar feeding. You can sprinkle dry ash between the rows before watering or rain, or you can use it in a solution. To do this, dilute a glass of ash in 1 liter of hot water, then dilute the mixture in 9 liters of water and water it at the rate of 1 liter per 1 m².



Thanks to feeding strawberries in the spring with folk remedies, the fruits are juicy and large.

Did you know? Daily consumption of strawberries strengthens the walls of blood vessels and the immune system. These berries help fight insomnia and also protect against viral diseases. If you have enough strawberries in your diet, you can avoid iodized foods.

Fertilizing strawberries with mineral compounds

There are two types of mineral fertilizers:

1. highly mobile- differ in absorption rate (phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, nitrogen);
2. low mobility- act much more slowly (boron, iron, copper, manganese).
In spring, fertilizers are applied to strawberries to increase the yield. For this purpose use:

• ammophoska mixed with ammonium nitrate(2:1) in a liquid solution, norm - 15 g per 1 m²;
• nitroammophoska- plants growing on clay soils especially need this fertilizer;
• ready-made complex fertilizers, which include potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, nitrogen (“Kemiroy Lux”, “Ryazanochka”).

Mineral fertilizers play an important role in obtaining a good harvest: with a lack of nitrogen, the fruits grow small, lose their taste, and their foliage becomes too pale.

To produce sugar fruits, strawberries need potassium. In addition, if it is deficient, the plant gradually withers and may disappear by autumn.

Important! It is not recommended to feed strawberries with urea in the spring, since urobacteria are still dormant and the fertilizer will not be absorbed.

What is better: mineral fertilizers or organic matter?

It is impossible to answer unequivocally whether it is better to choose organic or mineral fertilizers for strawberries, since both have a positive effect on growth and fruiting.

Mineral fertilizers, for example, are quite effective and have a good effect on the size and taste of strawberries: the berries grow large, sweet and beautiful. But they must be used carefully, strictly following the instructions. An overdose will negatively affect not only the harvest, but also human health. In addition, mineral fertilizers are not recommended to be used later than 2 weeks before fruit ripening.

Organic fertilizers will not provide large berries, but are absolutely safe for people. In addition, organic matter can be added in almost any quantity, since plants take as many useful substances as they need.

Important! Any fertilizer must be kept in the recommended ratio and prepared from high-quality ingredients-with an excess of fertilizers, strawberries will begin to grow rapidly, and the flowers and fruits will be frail and late.

Features of feeding strawberries in spring

Feeding strawberries in the spring is a mandatory procedure, but not everyone knows how to properly feed young and mature strawberries in the spring.

How to properly feed young plants

Young strawberries planted in the fall may not be fed at all in the spring, or you can use the following solution: Take 0.5 liters of manure or chicken droppings per bucket of water, add 1 tbsp. a spoonful of sodium sulfate and pour the resulting mixture under each bush, 1 liter. This norm cannot be exceeded.

Kirill Sysoev

Calloused hands never get bored!

Content

Sweet and juicy strawberries are the weakness of many. It is tasty and healthy. Its cultivation is possible on different soils. For good fruit development, it must be fed. For this purpose, strawberry fertilizers are widely used to promote the growth of the berry crop and its active fruiting. Find out in what proportions, when and how to use fertilizer for it.

When to fertilize strawberries

You can prepare for the new gardening season already when the last snow melts. When fertilizer is introduced on time, new buds form faster. Not every garden or vegetable garden has fertile soil. If the soil has not been fertilized for a long time and is already depleted, you can’t even dream of a rich harvest. Regular feeding is necessary for both the soil and the bushes themselves. At the same time, special care is required when processing remontant varieties of berries. They are more susceptible to feeding than other species. For this reason, they are fertilized at weekly intervals.

Feeding stages

The fertilizer is used in three stages: after winter at the beginning of the gardening season, during the fruiting period and in the fall. For the first time, strawberries are fed in order to timely stimulate the growth of young shoots and first leaves. The procedure is carried out in late April - early May. The treatment is repeated in July. The second feeding of strawberries promotes the formation of new roots and buds. The first fruits will be in July. Fertilize for the third time in mid-September. Feeding during this period is necessary to prepare the crop for wintering.

How to feed strawberries

Fertilizers for berry crops are mineral, organic and complex. Mineral fertilizers are synthetic substances developed in laboratories. The most popular among them are urea, saltpeter, sulfates, and diammophos. They contain micro- and macroelements (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, copper, zinc, molybdenum, cobalt, manganese). There are many enterprises involved in the production of mineral fertilizers (Gumi-Omi, Agricol, Fertika, Akron, KhimAgroProm).

Organic fertilizers for strawberries are substances of natural origin. These include:

• chicken droppings;
• humus;
• wood ash;
• ash;
• spoiled milk;
• yeast;
• manure;
• humus;
• weeds.

It should be understood that using organic matter will not bring large fruits, but they are absolutely harmless to people. In addition, the application of such natural fertilizers does not require restrictions in proportions: they can be fed to the plant in any quantity. The fruit crop will absorb as many useful substances as it requires.

Complex fertilizers are designed to combine the effects of mineral and organic substances. Ready-made options are produced, including potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, magnesium (“Berry ovary for strawberries”, “Ryazanochka”, etc.). Among the wide variety of drugs of this type produced today, preference should be given to those in which the percentage of nitrogen is greater than all other components.

Organic fertilizers

Feeding with substances of natural origin helps to obtain a rich harvest without harm to human health, plants and soil. In addition, the use of organics will be much cheaper than the purchase of mineral or complex preparations. Each type of natural feeding has its own characteristics and advantages.

Manure (cow) is a mixture of straw, hay and animal excrement. It has long been used as a top dressing for soil and various crops (potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.). Manure as a fertilizer for strawberries is the best option for feeding in the spring before the plant begins to flower. It is prepared as follows: dilute 2 cups of manure with 10 liters of water and add 1 tablespoon of sodium sulfate. All components are mixed until smooth. The area under each bush is watered with this slurry (1 liter).

Benefits of using cow dung:

• accessibility and low cost;
• high efficiency;
• saturating the soil and berry crops with essential microelements and other beneficial substances;
• reducing the acidity of clay soil under the influence of manure.

Humus is completely decomposed manure. It is considered the best top dressing in the spring. Humus is used at the rate of 5 kg per 1 square meter of bed area. It can be used during planting for subsequent crop care. To obtain humus, you should spread the manure with weeds. Fertilizer for strawberries will be ready in 7 months. The benefits of humus are:

• saturation of plants with useful substances and microelements in an easily digestible form;
• positive effect on the soil - soil saturated with humus creates a favorable environment for the rapid and proper development of berry crops;
• long-lasting feeding effect - humus nourishes the plant and the soil throughout the year.

Chicken manure is used as nitrogen fertilizer. It is prepared as follows: take 20 parts of water for one part of poultry organic matter. The resulting solution is infused for 3 days and 0.5 liters of the mixture is poured under each berry bush. Chicken manure is widely used among gardeners due to its availability and effective effect on the growth and development of berries.

An excellent supplement is sour milk (sourdough). This fact is confirmed by the statement of experienced gardeners that slightly acidic soil has a beneficial effect on productivity. To normalize the acidity level of the soil, you can add sour milk to it. Its difference from other organics is the method of application: the fertilizing is not poured under the root, but a little further from it (about 7-10 cm from the bush) or the spraying method is used.

Fertilizer for strawberries is prepared as follows: the product is mixed with water in a ratio of 1:2. Plants are fed at the beginning of the summer season, then after harvest and in the fall. Advantages of using fermented milk products:

• enrichment of open ground with a storehouse of useful substances and microelements (sulfur, calcium, etc.);
• significant increase in yield and fruiting time;
• rapid plant growth;
• increasing the protective forces of berry crops against pests and diseases.

Yeast

Regular yeast is an affordable and easy-to-prepare fertilizer. This iodized product is beneficial for the plant. The feeding solution can be prepared as follows: 1 kg of yeast is diluted in 5 liters of water. The resulting concentration should be diluted again with water before use. For 0.5 liters of yeast solution you need 10 liters of water. After re-preparing the mixture, it is necessary to treat the plant. For 10 bushes 0.5 liters of solution will be used. They pour it right under the bushes.

If you only have dry yeast in bags on hand, then prepare the solution as follows: take one bag of the product and two tablespoons of sugar for one bucket of water. To begin with, the yeast is diluted in a glass of warm water, then granulated sugar is added to the solution and stirred until completely dissolved. Afterwards, the contents of the glass are poured into a bucket of water. Let it brew for 2 hours. After this time, the nutrient solution is ready for use. The advantages of using yeast include:

• valuable composition of the product (iodine, iron, phosphorus, nitrogen, etc.);
• stimulating culture growth;
• significant increase in plant productivity;
• strengthening roots;
• positive effect on the condition of the soil due to its saturation with beneficial microorganisms;
• increasing plant adaptation to new conditions after transplantation and disease resistance.

It is advisable to feed the berries with yeast 2-3 times during the summer season. The product is used at the beginning of the season, again during the flowering period and after harvesting. For all its advantages, it also has disadvantages. It can only be used in warm weather. In cool weather, fermentation does not occur and the process stops.

Ash

Wood ash contains a significant amount of useful microelements. This folk remedy is rich in potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, iron and many other nutrients necessary for plant growth and development. To use it, you need to introduce dry ash into the furrows of the beds. Powder should be poured at the rate of 150 grams per 1 linear meter. To enhance the effect, it is advisable to mix ash with peat. This fertilizer has one drawback: ash cannot be used with urea. The advantages of using wood ash are:

• availability;
• stimulation of berry crop growth;
• saturating the soil with nutrients and improving its structure;
• increasing productivity;
• improving the taste of fruits.

Mineral fertilizers for strawberries

The taste and external qualities of strawberries only benefit from the use of mineral fertilizers. The berries grow large, bright, sweet and juicy. The use of minerals requires caution and strict adherence to proportions. Excessive doses can harm not only the plant, but also human health. The deadline for introducing mineral fertilizers is 2 weeks before the plant fruits ripen.

Ammophoska and ammonium nitrate

Strawberries are “fed” in the second year after planting with ammonium nitrate at the rate of 100 g per 10 square meters. This fertilizer is considered the most effective. True, in cases where a lot of organic fertilizer was added to the soil before planting, ammonium will not be needed. If strawberries are planted for the third year in a row, then it is necessary to introduce 10 g of superphosphate, 150 g of ammonium nitrate and 100 g of potassium chloride into the soil.

This volume of fertilizer will be needed for 10 square meters of usable area. The prepared solution is poured under the bushes. The plant itself does not need to be watered. Typically, the soil is fertilized with half of the fertilizer in the spring, and the rest is introduced after harvesting. It is forbidden to increase the dose of nitrate. It is loaded with nitrogen and excessive use can lead to loss of sugar. The berry will be watery and tasteless. In the spring, you can use ammonium nitrate in combination with ammophoska in a ratio of 1:2. Water the product at the rate of 15 g per 1 sq.m. in a liquid solution with water.

Any mineral substance has its advantages and disadvantages. The vast majority of synthetic fertilizers are dangerous when used in large proportions. Nitroammophoska (azophoska) is no exception. It should be used in the correct doses. So, during the period of planting strawberries, two tablespoons of granules of this preparation should be sprinkled on each square meter. In cases where the plant is replanted, nitroammophoska is used immediately after harvesting. Prepare the solution as follows: add 1 tablespoon of fertilizer to 10 liters of water.

It should be remembered that, despite its effectiveness, nitroammophoska is considered one of the dangerous drugs. This synthetic substance must not be used uncontrolled, since this approach can lead to the formation of nitrates in the soil. The fertilizer belongs to the third level of danger: it is highly flammable. Granules of the product can explode. One should not forget about the short shelf life of nitroammophoska.

Complex fertilizer "Ryazanochka"

Ready-made fertilizer for strawberries “Ryazanochka” is very popular among gardeners. It contains micro- and macroelements (nitrogen, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, copper, potassium, boron, molybdenum, cobalt). For root feeding, you should prepare a solution at the rate of 1 teaspoon of “Ryazanochka” (4 g) per 10 liters of water. The plant must be fed in the morning and evening.

The finished product is used depending on the period of development of the berry crop. So, at the beginning of the vegetative development of strawberries, the solution is watered at the rate of 5 liters per 2–3 sq.m. area. During budding, at the beginning of flowering and active fruiting of the berry, 10 liters of product are consumed for the same area. The last time the plant is “fed” is 2–3 weeks before harvesting.

“Ryazanochka” can also be used using the foliar method. Only in this case, the solution is prepared differently: ½ teaspoon (2 g) is added to 10 liters of water. The resulting product is sprayed on the berry crop in the morning and evening in cloudy but not rainy weather twice during the summer season. The advantages of “Ryazanochka” include the following properties:

• positive effect on the taste and external qualities of fruits;
• increasing the yield of berry crops through the use of complex fertilizing;
• beneficial effect on the resistance of berries to diseases.

Features of feeding in spring

Strawberries should be fertilized in the spring. The further development of the plant and the harvest result largely depend on how correctly this procedure is carried out. It is important to know the feeding scheme for berry crops, and that feeding young strawberries in the spring differs from feeding their adult “relatives”.

How to properly fertilize young plants

There is no urgent need to fertilize young strawberries planted in autumn in early spring. If desired, you can give her additional nutrition, and for this you need to prepare the following solution: add 0.5 liters of manure or bird droppings and 1 tablespoon of sodium sulfate to 10 liters of water. The resulting mixture is poured under each strawberry bush, 1 liter, no more.

How to feed adult strawberries

Adult plants are fertilized with the same means as young crops, only when loosening the soil, the soil is sprinkled with ash at the rate of 2 cups per square meter of area. An excellent biofertilizer is nettle infusion. Fill a bucket with it, add water and leave for a week (less is possible). The resulting solution is sprayed on the plant at the beginning of the formation of bushes and after harvesting. The use of mullein is effective: for 1 part of it take 5 parts of water and 60 g of superphosphate and 100–150 g, 1 bucket of water. The resulting solution is poured into grooves made along the beds 4–5 cm deep.

Fertilizer for strawberries when planting

The first feeding is carried out in mid-April. For these purposes, mullein or bird droppings are used. When re-feeding, already during the flowering period of the plant, the strawberries are fertilized with mineral agents. And finally, the third, final feeding is carried out using an infusion of weeds. In summer, feeding with liquid manure is good. In autumn, you can use both organic and mineral fertilizers.

Discuss

Fertilizer for strawberries for feeding

Every gardener is interested in getting a good harvest from his summer cottage. Especially when it comes to such a fragrant and healthy berry as strawberries. Juicy fruits contain large amounts of vitamin C, folic acid and other important microelements. How to grow this wonderful berry in your garden and how to achieve excellent fruiting if there is no rich black soil on the plot?

The first berries of early strawberries

Strawberries are a rather capricious berry that requires careful care, including timely and high-quality feeding. It is important not only to prepare the plant for winter, but also to properly organize its recovery after the cold season, since the quality and quantity of the future harvest depends on this.

Preparatory stage

After a long cold winter, all plants need to replenish their nutritional deficiencies. Before choosing what to feed strawberries in the spring, it is necessary to carry out preparatory work on harvesting and processing.

It is important not to miss the moment of starting work! The optimal period is when the berry has not yet woken up. In April, when the snow melts and the first warm days set in, you can start cleaning the beds.

Cleaning

In early spring, after the bushes have completely thawed, the following steps should be performed:

• Collect unrotted mulch and remove the top few centimeters of soil. This will prevent pests from awakening. This will also allow the roots to warm up better.
• Clear the bushes of dead, dry or frozen leaves.
• Loosen the soil to a depth of approximately 5-7 cm, and if necessary, weed out the first weeds that appear.
• Straighten the sides of the beds.

Treatment

It is important to treat the bushes before they begin to bloom!

There is no universal remedy that is ideal for strawberries. Depending on the variety of berries, you can choose one of the following chemical solutions: Caesar or Taurus. Copper sulfate is also suitable for these purposes. For those who prefer to use biological products, Fitoverm or Acrofit are suitable. Remember, biological products are effective at air temperatures above 18 C 0.

The first shoots on strawberry bushes after wintering

Burning last year's mulch, dry branches outside the site, as well as choosing high-quality planting material will help reduce the risk of infection.

Organic fertilizers

Timely application of fertilizers stimulates plant growth. Moreover, it is important to fertilize both the above-ground part of the plant and the strawberry roots. Organic fertilizers allow you to get an excellent harvest without harm to the plant and soil. You can fertilize the ground only when the soil has dried well after the snow has melted, and the bushes themselves have fully recovered from the cold and loosening.

The most effective and safe organic fertilizers

• Humus

Completely decomposed cow manure contains a large amount of nutrients that are easily absorbed by the plant. It is recommended to use it to mulch the soil.

• Mullein or cow dung

Manure contains many minerals, but in order not to “burn out” young shoots, this fertilizer must be added in doses, no more than one garden scoop per bush. It is recommended to carry out such feeding as early as possible.

• Chicken droppings

Chicken manure is very close in composition to mineral fertilizers, so it is recommended to dilute it very strongly and use it no more than once a year. It is necessary to take 1 part of excrement and fill it with 20 parts of water, keep the resulting mixture in a plastic container in a warm place for about 3 days.

It is important to remember: you can water this fertilizer only between the rows, avoiding the root area.

Extract from wood ash is perfect for fertilizing roots and for foliar feeding. Thanks to the ash, the berries become sweeter and their shelf life also increases. Ash must be scattered between the rows of bushes; the optimal time for this procedure is the period before mulching and before rain.

Fertilizing strawberries with ash

• Dairy products

Fermented whey is also an excellent source of nutrients for strawberries. It is slightly acidic soil that will allow for good plant development and fruiting.

Whey can be used as an independent fertilizer or together with ash, manure or humus.

• Yeast

Regular baker's yeast is an excellent source of nutrients: it contains amino acids, minerals, and proteins. The fertilizer is made as follows: 200 g of yeast are diluted in half a liter of warm water, and after 20 minutes another 9 liters of water are added to the resulting mixture. This fertilizing guarantees the growth and strengthening of the root system.

• Weed infusion

Weeds collected after weeding can also be used as an absolutely harmless fertilizer. To do this, they should be crushed and filled with water, kept in a warm room for about 7 days. After which you can safely water the bushes with this infusion. This weed infusion will increase the number of fruits and have a positive effect on the taste of the berries.

Mineral fertilizers for strawberries

Mineral fertilizers are used to prevent the development of various diseases when plaque appears on leaves, white edges or visible wilting of young shoots. Fertilizing also improves taste and produces larger berries.

Nitrogen or potassium can be used as fertilizer, but the best effect can be achieved by using complex mineral fertilizers with the addition of phosphorus, magnesium and other microelements. These products are sold in specialized stores.

Complex mineral fertilizers

Nitrogen

This valuable macronutrient stimulates the growth of green shoots and leaves, so it must be included in the first spring feeding of strawberries. Nitrogen is contained in saltpeter and urea. Feeding allows you to achieve the following results:

• improve strawberry color;
• increase the size of each berry;
• get a harvest with high taste.

Nitrogen fertilizers dissolve well, so to prepare a liquid fertilizer, it is enough to dissolve a tablespoon of dry urea in a bucket of water. Strawberries should be watered at the root, at the rate of 0.5 liters of solution per 1 bush. You should not increase these proportions, otherwise the berry will become tasteless.

Potassium

While the benefits of nitrogen for strawberry growth are undeniable, many summer residents forget about the importance of fertilizing with potassium fertilizers.

At the same time, it allows you to:

• increase the shelf life of berries;
• make strawberries more juicy and sweet.

The appearance of a brown tint on the leaves is a clear sign of potassium deficiency. To replenish it you can use:

• potassium nitrate;
• wood ash;
• potassium chloride;
• potassium sulfate.

Potash fertilizers are applied under the bush, strictly adhering to the dosage indicated on the package.

Complex mineral fertilizers

For spring feeding of strawberry bushes, ready-made mineral fertilizers are used, the composition of which is designed specifically to increase the size and improve the taste of the berries. In particular, it is allowed to use:

• Kemiru Lux;
• Kemiru Universal;
• Ryazanochka.

Kemira Lux is a water-soluble powder with a high concentration of macro- and microelements. The fertilizer contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, boron, copper, manganese, molybdenum and zinc. To prepare the solution you need 1 tbsp. l. Dissolve the powder in 10 liters of water.

Thanks to the addition of selenium, Kemira Universal improves the taste of strawberries. It is this microelement that is responsible for the sugar content in berries. The basis of Kemira Universal is the NPK complex (nitroammophoska), which allows you to accelerate growth and increase the yield of strawberries.

Ryazanochka contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, manganese, cobalt, copper, magnesium, molybdenum, boron. Just 1 tsp. dry mixture per bucket of water allows you to effectively feed bushes weakened after winter. The diluted mixture can be used for root watering, as well as for spraying leaves.

Combined fertilizers

Combined organic-mineral fertilizers (OMF) demonstrate excellent results in stimulating plant growth. Their chemical composition does not differ from organic ones, but they have a number of obvious advantages:

• ease of preparing a liquid solution;
• saving time and effort for the summer resident;
• you can easily calculate the proportions and apply fertilizer.

There are several types of these fertilizers. First of all, there are fertilizers on sale that combine organic substances (biofermented chicken manure) with an NPK complex. They are produced in the form of granules that easily dissolve in water and provide complete nutrition for strawberries. Used as the first spring feeding, they guarantee the growth of the bush, as well as timely setting and ripening of fruits.

Application of complex fertilizers

Another type of organo-mineral fertilizer is a product of high-tech peat processing, which contains a significant amount of physiologically active substances. Such fertilizing improves the quality of the soil and serves to protect berry crops from pests and unfavorable environmental factors (strong wind, temperature changes, excess moisture).

The most valuable substances in the composition of WMD:

• monovalent salts of humic acids (humates);
• fulvic acids (fulvates);
• nitrogen;
• phosphorus;
• potassium;
• microelements.

The use of organic-mineral fertilizers allows you to achieve an increase in yield by 20 - 100% and obtain natural, environmentally friendly products.

Foliar feeding of strawberries

Foliar feeding is spraying strawberry bushes with special compounds. This feeding method ensures that nutrients quickly reach the leaves, but it can only be done in dry weather.

Foliar complex processing of strawberries

There are a number of rules that should be followed:

1. Spraying is best done after watering the plants.
2. You should start foliar feeding with young, newly emerged leaves.
3. A good result can be achieved if you repeat feeding during the flowering period.
4. It is recommended to make a spray solution based on boric acid.

To prepare spring fertilizer, you can use one of the following recipes:

• Mix 1 tsp. boric acid, 30 drops of iodine and 1 glass of ash. Dilute in 10 liters of water.
• Make a mixture of ½ tsp. boric acid, ½ cup of ash, 3 g of potassium permanganate and tbsp. l. urea per 10-liter bucket of water.
• Dilute whey with water at a ratio of 1:3.

Feeding by age

Since organic, mineral or combined fertilizers are applied into the recesses when planting strawberries, the plants do not need additional feeding in the first year. The soil still contains enough nutrients for their growth, and excessive fertilizing can deteriorate the basic taste of the berries.

• 2nd year – mineral and organic fertilizers are applied;
• 3rd year – only mineral ones are used;
• 4th year – mineral and organic, etc.

Video: First feeding of strawberries. Spring strawberry care