Strawberry bed care (Restart mulching the strawberry bed) – Care for strawberry plants in winter
Growing strawberries in organic farming. Last time, we fertilized the strawberries. This time, strawberry bed care. The strawberries were dormant with the mulch removed, but it’s almost time for them to wake up, so we will restart mulching.
In early January, we fertilized the strawberries to add nutrients. The strawberry fertilizer is chicken manure. (Chicken manure is best fertilizer for strawberries.) This fertilizing will help the strawberries grow in spring.
https://www.vege-try.net/en/additional-fertilizer-for-strawb...Put back the mulch we took off before dormancy and cover the strawberry bed. If there are weeds around the strawberries, pull them out before putting back the mulch. Covering the bed with mulch keeps the soil warm, which helps the strawberries grow.
If the mulch has dirt or mud, clean it off. (Mud on stems or leaves can cause disease.) Mulch not only keeps the soil warm but also prevents mud splashing. So, keep the surface as clean as possible.
Pick the strawberry flowers, buds, and dead leaves. Leave the strawberry flowers from March. Until then, it is better to give the nutrients to the strawberry plants instead of the flowers and fruit. This completes the strawberry care for now. (The strawberry bed has been re-mulched.)
Related information on strawberry cultivation（Frequently Asked Questions for growing strawberries）
What is a strawberry runner?
A runner is a type of stem on a strawberry plant that grows from the crown. When the end of the runner takes root in the soil, a new strawberry plant grows there, helping the plant make more offspring. If runners grow before strawberry harvest, they take away nutrients from the strawberries, so it’s best to remove runners as they appear.
Runners are a guide when planting strawberries. (The direction of the runner is important.) When planting strawberries outdoors, place the runner facing the inside of the bed. (Strawberries tend to grow more fruit on the side opposite the runner.)
When do you start setting up insect netting or grow tunnels for outdoor strawberries?
For outdoor strawberries, insect netting is basically not needed. Strawberries are planted around mid-October when there are fewer bugs, so insect nets aren’t necessary. If you’re really worried about bugs in outdoor strawberry growing, you can choose varieties that are less likely to be harmed by insects.
Strawberries need to be exposed to the cold during winter, so they don’t need a warming tunnel. Being in the cold for a certain period helps strawberries grow better from spring. Strawberries are strong against the cold, so you can basically leave them planted as they are.
Following is the video for how-to. English subtitles are available.