Strawberry planting and care in the open field under a film

Strawberry is a favorite berry of many, it ripens earlier than other fruits in the garden, and the sweetness and aroma bring real pleasure. To maximize the yield of the red beauty and minimize the effort involved in growing strawberries, gardeners are ready to use a variety of tricks and techniques.

So it was noticed that the use of film when growing strawberries helps to get a high yield without much effort. Some people use special agrofibre instead of film, which is capable of performing the same functions.

The film protects strawberries from rotting and prevents weeds from growing near bushes... Especially if a black film is used that does not transmit light and does not allow excess plants to grow under it.

Experts recommend planting strawberries at the very beginning of summer or at the end of spring, focusing on cool and dry weather. Then in a couple of months it will be possible to taste the first harvest.

When planting strawberries under the film, you need to take into account several rules and prepare the appropriate materials.

1. Firstly, the required footage of the film, corresponding to the length and number of beds.
2. Secondly, the hose that will be needed to mount the drip irrigation system. The irrigation hose should be equal to the sum of the lengths of all the beds in order to cover the entire plantation and then supply water for all planted strawberries.
3. Thirdly, scissors, gloves.

Planting strawberries under a black film - photo

Next, we move on to the preparation and direct planting of tubers. A desirable requirement for the land where strawberries will be planted is to rest the soil from any plantings over the past few years.

Of course, this is not easy to implement, but a "rested" land is the most suitable for growing strawberries. To prepare the soil, you need to dig it up, saturate it with oxygen, and then properly level it so that large clods of earth do not come across.

It is advisable to add sand and peat to the soil... For optimal growth of strawberry bushes, it is worth preparing the following beds: its width can be from 80cm to 100cm, between rows at least 30-40cm.

First of all, for the preparation of the plantation, we install an irrigation system... To this end, we lay the existing hose between the rows with a snake. We make holes along the entire length of the hose and sink it into the ground to a depth of 5-8 cm. The far end of the hose should be closed with any secure plug.

Then we cut the film into the required rectangles., the sizes of which correspond to the sizes of each bed. And we lay out the film as evenly as possible along the entire length, sprinkling it with earth along its edges to fix it.

It is best to plant strawberry bushes according to the principle of chess, so that the distance between them is about 25-30 cm. if the distance is less, the bushes will accordingly not grow as they should. And this, in turn, can lead to a harvest of small strawberries.

There must be enough room for each seedling to grow.Marking is made on the film, then holes for bushes are cut out, with a diameter of about 15 cm. You can simply make two perpendicular cuts and hide the excess film inside. After that, holes are dug in the ground.

Before planting, the roots of strawberries are usually kept in water for several hours with a small addition of potassium permanganate. This will help keep the tuber healthy.

After this time, the bushes are planted in the holes. When the planting is completely completed, it is worth walking on the film again and minimizing the holes as much as possible. This will help reduce weeds in the future.

Planting strawberries under the film - photo

Wrapping strawberries has many benefits. In addition to those already mentioned above, one can also note the always healthy and clean berries, because they do not have contact with the ground. Also, you do not need to spend time and effort watering strawberries, you just need to connect the free edge of the hose to a tap with water, and the bushes will receive the required amount of moisture.

And what is more important, this method is completely simple even for those who are going to try it for the first time. This means that gardeners can easily grow a good strawberry harvest.

Video: Planting strawberries under the film

Foreword

Increasingly, gardeners are thinking about planting strawberries under a black film or agrofibre, preferring this method of growing berries to the traditional one in the open field. Does the method really have advantages?

On the advantages and disadvantages of the method

When asked about the advantages of growing strawberries on ridges covered with film or spunbond, gardeners who have tried this method give a positive answer. The advantages do exist, and they are noticeable even in the first season after planting in this way:

1. Complete absence of weeds. Plants cannot make their way to light through the film. Even perennial weeds will be suppressed and grow less aggressively. Those grasses that manage to germinate through the holes where strawberry bushes are planted will be quite easy to remove: incomparably easier than weeding the entire ridge.
2. Penetrating under the covering material, moisture remains in the soil much longer. Thanks to this, plantings are less prone to drying out in the absence of rain. And the impossibility of the owners coming to the dacha for watering also becomes not so dangerous: the need for watering is postponed for 7 - 10 days compared to growing berries in the open field.
3. Another advantage of the method is that the berries do not have contact with the soil. This allows them to stay clean even after heavy rain and prevents the development of gray mold, the spores of which fall on the berries from the surface of the earth.
4. Removing the whiskers on the plantation under the film becomes much easier, because they cannot take root and take root in the soil.

Growing strawberries in beds under spunbond

Along with the advantages, gardeners note one disadvantage with such a planting: a drip irrigation system may be required. But the same innovation on the site will significantly save money on water and electricity bills.

Implementation process

It is very convenient to transfer the strawberry plantation in the fall under the film gradually, over 3 - 4 years. This will make it possible to draw conclusions about the advantages or disadvantages of using the film and will not interrupt the cycle of natural replacement of plantings on the site. After all, the specified period is exactly the time at which it is recommended to grow strawberries in one place without transplanting. You can start replacing your old bed and at the same time try a new way of growing berry bushes. And the next year, replacing another bed, continue or abandon it.

In order to prepare the garden for planting, you need to add rotted manure, compost (1 bucket per 1 m²), wood ash (1 - 1.5 cups per 1 m²) or use a complex fertilizer according to the instructions for the preparation. If it is not possible to immediately start planting, then the garden bed can be watered abundantly and covered with foil.This is important if it is planned to plant strawberries in place of winter garlic or onions, and it is still too hot and dry for planting berries at this time.

Preparing the beds for planting

It is also important to know that the film for planting strawberries should be of high density (thickness 40 - 50 microns).

Then it will be enough for the entire operation of the ridge, and at the next transplant it will be clear whether it is necessary to replace the covering material. When growing strawberries on spunbond or agrofibre, a density of 60 g / m² is quite acceptable. Manufacturers guarantee the service life of a material of this density for just 3 years. The width of both films and non-wovens is 1.6 m and 3.2 m.You can calculate the amount of the required material when purchasing it as follows:

• with a width of 1.6 m, 1 ridge of the required length is formed, i.e. it is necessary to purchase material from the calculation: the length of the ridge plus 50 - 60 cm in order to cover the ends and fix the material;
• with a width of 3.2 m, the film can be cut into strips of 1.6 m each or cover the area with it at once into 2 ridges; in the 1st case, the length should be 2 times less than the desired length of the ridge, plus a margin for securing the film.

Calculation of material for planting berries

When using a strip of 1.6 m wide, it is necessary to form a ridge of 90 - 100 cm, unfold the material over the soil, fix the end parts. Mounting can be done like this:

• pin the film to the ground with wire pins through the squares of thick plastic or linoleum;
• make narrow cracks in the soil with a shovel and tightly clamp the film there with wooden planks;
• wrap the edge of the film around a metal tube or wooden block;
• sprinkle the edges with earth or line the ridge with stone or brick.

After fixing the ends of the film, fix the sidewalls using the width that extends beyond the ridge.

Mark places for planting plants: at the edge of the ridge - 1st row, at a distance of 25 cm in a checkerboard pattern - 2nd row. Then you need to leave 40-50 cm in the center for easy processing and repeat the 2-row row with an interval of 25 cm and a staggered arrangement of plants. With a material width of 3.2 m and the location of the ridges next to it, you can cut the film sleeve on only one side, unfold the canvas, completely closing 2 ridges and the passage between them. In this case, after marking the 1st ridge, leave 50-60 cm for the passage and start marking the 2nd ridge according to the same scheme: 2 double-row lines with an interval of 40 cm between them. (Fig. 1) To prevent damage to the central part of the film or non-woven in the passage, you can lay flat boards, paths made of linoleum or other similar material over it, or cover the passage with a thick layer of sawdust or straw.

Marking of places for planting plants on agrofibre

Planting the bushes in the cross-shaped cuts made in the marked places. At the same time, parts of the film are bent under the canvas, a hole is dug with a scoop, into which a strawberry seedling is placed. The video shows the ways of forming a ridge and planting strawberries. (video 1)

After planting, it is advisable to water each bush by hand to provide it with sufficient moisture immediately after transplanting. The drip irrigation system can be installed a little later, if necessary.

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Experienced berry growers know how to plant strawberries under the black film. Strawberries are a very tasty and juicy berry. Many gardeners remove several dozen buckets of this berry over the summer. To get a large harvest, it is recommended to grow strawberries in beds covered with a dark film. What is the technique of planting strawberries, the advantages and disadvantages of this method?

Growing strawberries under plastic

To get rid of weeds and ensure sufficient water access for strawberries, it is recommended to plant them under moisture-resistant material. It can be a simple black film or roofing felt. This procedure is called mulching. The highest soil quality can be achieved by mulching. The reviews of those gardeners who grew strawberries in a similar way are very good.

There are the following advantages of this growing technology:

• weed control;
• reduction of water evaporation;
• improvement of soil structure;
• earlier ripening of berries and getting the first harvest;
• no need to water the plants every day.

This method of planting strawberries does not require special knowledge and skills. All work can be organized by your own efforts. There are also some downsides. These include the possibility of leaf burnout due to overheating of the soil and excessive insolation. Black is known to attract the sun's rays. This also happens with film material.

Ventilation is impaired, which leads to an increase in soil temperature. The second disadvantage is the short life of the material. The black film needs to be changed every 2-3 years as it tears. Planting early strawberry varieties in the presence of frost can lead to plant death. Moisture accumulates under the film, which can turn into ice when the temperature drops. The resulting condensation can kill all plants.

Preparatory stage of work

To plant strawberries under the film, you need to prepare. You need to do the following:

Also read: Gardening work in March: cleaning up after winter, getting ready for summer

Before planting strawberries on film, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the climate, the ability to regularly water the plants, the resistance of the variety to frost, heat and temperature extremes. An important property of berries is transportability.

Planting technology

After purchasing black paper (film), it must be spread on the garden bed. It is recommended to do this in the spring, not in the fall. The width of the film (paper) and the bed must be the same. The bed must first be loosened and leveled. Along the perimeter, the edges of the film can be fixed with stakes or covered with earth.

When planting strawberries under the film, holes will be required in which the plants will be planted. For this, holes with a diameter of about 15 cm are made with garden shears.

Bushes should be spaced at least 25-30 cm apart.

If there are several beds, then between them you need to make a gap 80-90 cm wide. Films with ready-made holes are on sale.

You can make 2 small, straight cuts in black paper (film). No need to cut large circles. It is necessary to close the hole in the film as much as possible. Before planting strawberries under the film, it is necessary to soak them in water, which will facilitate the process of removing the earthen coma from the glass or pot. Do not plant seedlings too deep. Be sure to water all the plants with water and lightly tamp the ground near each bush.

Strawberries under the film (video)

Strawberry care rules

Strawberry care is of the utmost importance. The presence of pests, hard land, irregular watering, weeds - all this reduces the yield. When planting strawberries under the film, the plants must be watered manually with a watering can. In subsequent times, it is recommended to use a hose system. Watering cans are suitable for small beds.

The easiest way is to stretch the hose, making small holes in it through which water will flow. The end of the hose must be closed with a plug. The hose must be buried in the ground next to the strawberry seedlings. This will provide constant moisture to the soil. Often, watering is carried out using sprinklers. It is possible to irrigate the plants along the furrows.

Strawberry care is not limited to watering. Be sure to protect plants from pests. It is required to periodically loosen the soil and apply fertilizers to it. If fertilizers were applied before planting strawberries, then the next feeding is done after a while. For this, superphosphate, ammonium nitrate, biohumus are used. Proper care of strawberries will allow them to absorb mineral and organic substances, become juicy and sweet.

Second year care in spring includes removing dried foliage. Only green shoots are required. The soil must be loosened and fertilized, if necessary.If a sheet of black paper (film) is unusable, it should be replaced. In subsequent years, it is necessary to cut off all the strawberry whiskers. Thus, growing strawberries under plastic film requires careful plant care and efforts from the owners. If you follow all the recommendations, then in the summer you can enjoy juicy, large and sweet berries.

Planting strawberries in covering material (video)

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Strawberries are a favorite berry of gardeners. Caring for strawberries is not easy; many difficulties arise in the process. Weeds attack the berry and suffer from drought. The solution to the problem is to plant it under a black covering material. It's very easy to use. Watering strawberries is even easier than ever before.

Why do you need a black strawberry cover film?

Covering fabric, first of all, does not allow weeds to grow over the site... Experienced gardeners know how much harm weeds do to strawberries. They take moisture and nutrients from the soil. To get rid of weeds and forget about weeding, gardeners use non-woven covering material.

Due to its characteristics, it is permeable to air, water and retains the sun's rays. Strawberry bushes, planted under the covering canvas, reliably protected from pests... The berries do not rot and always remain clean. Non-woven agrofibre is marketed under various names.

Regardless of the name, nonwovens are subdivided into types: light, medium and dense... Difference in density. It is customary to cover the beds with light canvases in case of frost. The bushes are covered with black material, as it accumulates heat well.

Covering material for strawberries is divided into 3 types: light, medium and dense

The service life of the covering film, depending on the density, is 4-12 years, then it needs to be changed.

Advantages and disadvantages of using agrofibre when planting and growing berries

Under the black material, the weeds will not disturb the berry in spring. This is due to the mulching film, which does not let the sun's rays through. Inside, under the film, a microclimate favorable for plants is formed.

Main advantages:

• the soil well ventilated and does not dry out;
• the soil does not require mulching and loosening;
• the berry under the film forms adventitious roots;
• antennae practically do not require cutting;
• under black material berries ripen faster;
• the occurrence of diseases and pests is practically excluded.

This method allows you to grow delicious berries with a minimum of labor time. There is no need for weeding, loosening, frequent watering and trimming the mustache. Weed grass, dying under a covering blanket, acts as an organic fertilizer... If we talk about the shortcomings, they were not found.

One of the difficult moments is the process of equipping a bed for planting strawberries with a black covering canvas.

Under the black film, strawberries ripen faster

Types that can be used for mulching

Many color solutions of films of different densities are widely available on sale. Black agrofiber reads high-strength shelter to protect the plant from aggressive environmental influences. The nonwoven fabric contains no toxins and allergens.

The types of black material that can be used to cover plants can be divided into two types - polyethylene and non-woven.

1. Proven over the years black polyethylene sold in sleeves and rolls. Polyethylene thickness from 0.03 to 0.4 mm. The film copes well with the task, but its strength is enough for 1 season.
2. Non-woven black fabric - an excellent alternative to fragile polyethylene. Externally, the materials have similarities, differences in composition and method of production. It can also be called spunbond.
3. Produced made of polypropylene fibers, under the influence of high temperatures, the film is in demand in organic farming, it is called agrofiber. It must be laid on the right side.

In recent years, gardeners have preferred mulching and covering strawberry beds with black film. 100% ecological covering material will protect from the hot sun rays. With agrofibre, you can cover plants and get rid of weeds. The strawberries will be provided with favorable conditions for growth.

How to choose material for planting berries

If you choose black plastic wrap, you should know that it absolutely air and moisture proof... While agrofibre or spunbond allows watering through the garden. Moisture penetrates through the canvas, the soil is enriched with air, receives the required amount of heat and light.

All nonwoven spunbod materials have approximately the same properties, their differences are density. Ideal for agricultural canvas with a density 40-60 g / m2.

Preparing the beds for planting using a covering material

The process of preparing a bed for planting strawberries is as follows:

1. First you have to prepare the ground - dig up a bed, remove weeds and apply organic fertilizers.
2. The beds should be raised, double-leaf, so it will be easier to fix the canvas.
3. Spread the covering material neatly on top of the prepared bed. Fasten edges firmly... Sandbags or DIY hairpins are best suited for this purpose.
4. Place the fabric with the waterproof side up.
5. In order for the bushes to grow evenly, you can take a cord to mark the holes, which must be pulled in a straight line over the entire length of the garden.
6. Make holes for bushes at a distance 25 cm., between rows - 40 cm.
7. After the covered bed is prepared, you can plant strawberry seedlings.

Black fiber has two sides: one protects the soil from moisture evaporation, the other allows water to pass through.

Landing under black covering material

When planting strawberry bushes, gardeners often prefer to do ordinary cruciform incisions... For this purpose you need a sharp knife and gloves. A more painstaking approach requires another option. It consists in teething with scissors round holes... The holes should be small, if you make them too large, weeds will creep through them.

You need to plant seedlings in each hole; for this purpose, you can use a wooden peg. It needs to be placed in the hole, twisted to make a hole. After planting, the bed must be watered abundantly. Experienced gardeners put drip irrigation under the film - this is a separate topic.

Care for strawberries under spunbond

Growing strawberries under a cover sheet requires minimal maintenance. All difficulties are associated with the preparation of the garden. To you you will need to monitor the integrity of the filmso that birds and animals do not damage it. Provide regular watering. Apply organic fertilizers. Trim the antennae if necessary. Harvest on time.

Having considered the advantages of this type of berry growing, you can make a choice in favor of a covering material. Having equipped a garden bed, you will ensure good fruiting of strawberries on the site for several years in advance.