Secrets of Growing Strawberries in the Open Ground

Timing of planting in open ground

Several strawberry varieties were developed in France. However, despite this, these varieties can be successfully grown in Russia.

Strawberries are grown outdoors at different times, depending on the climate and geographic conditions of the growing region. They thrive and produce a bountiful harvest at temperatures between 15° and 25°C. In this regard, the best time for planting is:

• For the Moscow region and central Russia, the best time is early spring. However, it's best to plant strawberries outdoors in late summer or early fall.
• In the southern regions of the country, it is better to plant the plant in early autumn.
• In northern areas, it is better to plant berries in late May – early July.

If you correctly determine the planting time and provide the crop with proper care, you can get an excellent harvest and even begin commercial strawberry cultivation.

Video: Growing in Open Ground

This video will show you how to grow berries in open ground.

Growing methods

How to grow strawberries in unprotected soil? Just like growing strawberries, strawberry cultivation involves several possible methods.

Strawberry cultivation in the garden is usually done using the traditional method. All other methods and techniques involve the use of special containers and landscape modifications. Therefore, they are often actively used for growing strawberries in greenhouses, on verandas, or terraces. This trailing berry is often used as a component of landscape design.

The classic technology for growing strawberries consists of two methods:

• Single-row, characterized by a distance of 0.6 meters between rows and 0.15 meters between individuals. This scheme is best used for fall-spring planting.
• The double-row method, which is more commonly used in summer, requires a spacing of 0.3 meters between rows and 0.2 meters between individual plants. This will produce more plants per plot than the single-row method, resulting in increased yields.

Maintaining distance between rows of plants and individuals is a method of preventing diseases.

There are also unconventional growing methods. They are designed for commercial berry cultivation, which is a very profitable business today. Traditional planting methods require large areas, while unconventional ones save space. Thus, strawberry cultivation in any form, including the French style, is profitable. The question of whether it is profitable to grow the crop on an industrial scale no longer arises.

Secrets to growing strawberries in large quantities:

• Vertical. This method doesn't require any special equipment. Strawberries are planted in pipes, pots, on construction-type netting, or on used tires. The main rule is that any available material should be secured vertically. This is a great way to save space in your garden.
• Bags. This method of growing strawberries outdoors involves placing seeds in soil contained in plastic bags. These bags are then laid horizontally or suspended. Holes must be made in the bags to allow the young plants to emerge.
• Agrofibre or film tunnels. This method doesn't save space, but it allows for earlier harvesting than with traditional growing methods.
• Hydroponics, which involves growing berries on a substrate made of mineral wool, peat mixture, or coconut fiber, is most often used in greenhouse cultivation. However, this method is also used for commercial strawberry production.

All the listed methods of growing the crop are the answer to the question of how to grow strawberries?

Planting in open ground

How to grow strawberries in your garden? Strawberries, like wild strawberries, will only yield a good harvest if grown in the right soil.

Based on the advice of experienced gardeners and their experience growing strawberries, we can conclude that the ideal strawberry plot is well-ventilated and sunny. A southwest-facing location is ideal. In these conditions, the berries will be especially sweet and juicy.

It's important to place the beds at an elevated level. If water begins to stagnate in the beds during the ripening period, the strawberries can be susceptible to fungal diseases. To prevent this, it's advisable to drain the soil with pebbles or broken brick.

How to grow strawberries properly? It's best to plant berries in cloudy weather. Under such conditions, the plant adapts much more easily to new conditions. Weeds should be removed from the area beforehand.

After planting, young plants should be watered generously, about a liter per bush. Additionally, the plant should be fertilized with manure or compost.

Growing and care

Before growing any berry, you need to open specialized sources and study everything about growing strawberries.

5 secrets to growing strawberries and other berries include choosing a planting site, proper fertilizing, regular watering, mulching, and preparing the bushes for winter.

Fertilizing the plant several times per season is necessary. During bud formation, the plant should be given potassium supplements according to the instructions. A boric acid solution has a positive effect on fertility. Mature plants require nitroammophoska (NAP) in early spring.

Mulching is also very important for growing strawberries. We grow strawberries with mulch in order to prevent contact between the flower stalk and the soil and to protect the plant from frost.

All mulching materials can be divided into two large groups: organic (humus, compost, mown grass), which improves the structure of the soil, and inorganic (stone, granite, crushed stone, polyethylene).

Gardeners growing crops need to know how to cover their plants for the winter. This procedure is done to prevent the roots from freezing during harsh winters with little snow. Common covering materials include pine branches, hay, straw, dried leaves, as well as commercially available agrofibre, spunbond, and agrotex.

So, a harvest of berries grown in your own garden will delight you with their pleasant taste and unique aroma. The growing process has become much easier today. For example, you can order a strawberry growing kit online and follow the instructions.

Video: Using Hydroponics

This video will show you how to use hydroponics to grow strawberries.