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At each summer cottage, gardeners try to allocate space for strawberry beds. It is very important for beginners to know the nuances of growing sweet berries. Therefore, one of the stages that gardeners are interested in is pruning strawberries in the fall. This is due to the fact that there is no consensus on this topic yet. Some gardeners believe that pruning strawberries after harvesting is very beneficial for the plant, others do not see much point in it.
The optimal solution for doubting lovers of garden strawberries would be to separate the agricultural technology of the ridges. Some should be pruned in autumn, while others should be left unchanged. And then decide if pruning is important strawberry leaves, and whether it is necessary to subject the plant to this procedure annually.
The feasibility of pruning strawberry bushes
To decide whether it is necessary to trim strawberry leaves after harvesting, you should consider the arguments of opponents and supporters of the method.
Those who deny the need for pruning believe that:
- Leaves are needed for the process of photosynthesis and removal reduces the ability of the bushes to “breathe”. Therefore, preparing for winter becomes more difficult for the plant.
- Pruning to control pests will not give the desired result.They remain quietly in the soil and on its surface, then move on to new leaves.
- There is a possibility of damage to the generative and vegetative buds on the bush, which will lead to a decrease in yield next year.
- Pruning strawberries for the winter causes stress in the plant, which slows down the growth and formation of berries on strawberry bushes.
The arguments of pruning supporters look like this:
- Pruning is very useful, especially if the bushes show signs of disease. This will prevent the spread of the disease. Once the crop is harvested, after three weeks the leaves are removed and the plants are disinfected and fed.
- After fruiting, the old foliage gradually dies off and becomes useless. Photosynthesis occurs in new young leaves, and at the same time fruit buds are laid for the next year. Autumn pruning makes it possible to take care of the future harvest in advance.
- After pruning strawberries, the bushes' resistance to cold increases. The procedure helps the plants to overwinter and maintain their ability to bear fruit next year. This can easily be checked in areas where strawberry plantings are divided according to agrotechnical measures. Compare the condition of the bushes with and without trimmed leaves during cold weather.
- Any rejuvenation of the bush is a plus. At this moment, the roots become stronger because nutrients do not enter the leaves, but remain in the root system.
- Pruning will not cause any particular harm, because propagation of garden strawberries occurs by means of mustaches.
You will do the rest of the agrotechnical measures (preventive spraying, loosening, fertilizing) regardless of whether you prune the strawberries after fruiting or not.Caring for strawberries after harvest also requires compliance with certain rules.
Pruning strawberries in autumn without mistakes
In order for the entire pruning process to proceed harmoniously and without problems, you should not experiment. Many gardeners grow garden strawberries and willingly share their experience. Therefore, following the recommendations will ensure a good result and a minimum of hassle.
Before you start pruning your strawberries in the fall, give your full attention to harvesting.
The next step is to clear the beds of debris, weeds and loosen them.
Then assess the condition of the strawberry bushes. It includes:
- the degree of growth of bushes during the fruiting period;
- the number of dry and damaged leaves on the bush;
- the presence of diseases and pest damage;
- analysis of the yield of varieties;
- necessity garden strawberry transplants to a new place of residence.
The full amount of information will allow you to trim correctly. The optimal time for this event is the end of August or the beginning of September. This depends on the fruiting period of the varieties, climatic conditions and does not apply to remontant strawberries.
What should you pay attention to when pruning strawberries after fruiting?
First of all, on the correct execution of the operation itself. Strawberries are pruned to meet certain requirements. For this:
- Stock up on sharp gardening tools. Pruning shears, scissors or a garden knife will do. The sharper the tool, the less damage you can cause to the strawberry bush.
- Cut only the leaf blades. Leave petioles up to 10 cm in size on the bush.This way, you will reliably protect the strawberry growth point from damage and preserve the future harvest of sweet berries.
At the same time as trimming the leaves, take care of the mustache. If you need a bush for propagation, leave the first rosette. Remove the remaining tendrils so that the plant does not waste its energy on them. If propagating the bush is not part of your plans, remove everything. Trim your mustache to the root; it is highly undesirable to tear it off with your hands. You can damage the bush and its roots.
The main stages of caring for strawberries after autumn pruning
After trimming the strawberry leaves, water the plants and gently loosen the soil around the bush. The depth of loosening should be at least 10 cm. To avoid damaging the roots, loosen the row spacing.
The next step is to water it with a solution of potassium permanganate. If signs of disease or damage are noticed on the strawberry bushes, you will have to add treatment with Bordeaux mixture or another fungicide.
After an important autumn event for the growth and development of strawberries, it is necessary to feed the bushes. Gardeners use various substances:
- dry manure;
- mature compost;
- wood ash (without combination with fresh manure);
- vermicompost;
- any complex mineral composition;
- ammophoska.
Experienced gardeners advise feeding the strawberry bed at least three times after pruning. First, liquid nitrogen fertilizers are applied immediately after the autumn rejuvenation of strawberries.
The second feeding is carried out two weeks later with a mixture of organic matter, phosphorus and potassium.
The third time the strawberries are fed in mid-September with a mullein solution or compost infusion.
Watering is also important during this period. Moisten the beds every other day. Regularity will help young foliage grow faster and protect strawberries from frost.
Summer residents who do this procedure every year can say with confidence that even novice gardeners can do the strawberry pruning scheme. And caring for garden strawberries after pruning is much easier.
And for those who find it difficult to prune strawberries, videos from experienced gardeners will be a good help:
In addition, listen to the advice of experienced summer residents.
Useful tips for gardeners on pruning strawberries in the fall
Don't be rigidly attached to deadlines. It is important that the strawberries stop bearing fruit.
For pruning, choose a dry, but not hot day. It is best to schedule the procedure for the morning or evening so that direct sunlight does not damage the strawberry bushes. A rainy day is also not a good choice. It will be more difficult for you to perform good pruning, and moisture allows fungal infections to spread quickly.
It is important to preserve the base of the bush, which will allow new shoots to form.
If strawberry bushes manage to grow leaf mass before the onset of cold weather, then winter is not scary for them. To be safe, cover the ridges with spruce branches, spunbond or other covering material.
For novice gardeners, it is very useful to watch a video of pruning strawberries:
or
This way, it’s easier to understand the pruning technique and notice useful nuances.
By performing a qualitatively useful procedure, you can preserve your favorite variety of sweet berries and ensure yourself a decent harvest for the next year.
