Surely everyone knows, or at least heard that after harvesting strawberries need to remove the mustache. But it is not everyone who knows for sure whether to cut off strawberry leaves after fruiting. Someone says that it is necessary, someone opposes such actions. For what you need pruning and how to properly carry it out - learn from this article.
Why cut strawberries?
As a rule, after fruiting, the old strawberry leaves begin to turn yellow and die. They are replaced by new young leaves. They are necessary for normal photosynthesis and contribute to the formation of a crop of the next year.
So it is recommended to cut old leaves. They still do not bring benefits to the plant, but they can cause the spread of fungal and other diseases.
How to properly cut strawberries after harvesting?
Some are wondering whether it is necessary to trim or you can mow strawberries after harvesting? If you have a large plantation, then pruning each bush, of course, is long and difficult. It's easier to walk a scythe, but keep in mind that you will certainly catch a new generation of the tops, which will negatively affect the yield of the next year. So it's better not to be too lazy and give more attention to strawberries, having cut off large foxes with a secateurs .
However, if you see that the leaves are not affected by anything, there are no red spots and other signs of the disease, then leave your plantation untouched. It will be better than mowing.
If in the garden there are only a couple of beds with strawberries, then it is not difficult to carefully cut old leaves with scissors or a garden pruner. This will not stop the spread of diseases and pests, but will significantly reduce the risk of infection, and you do not have to apply chemical protection products.
When to cut strawberries after harvest?
There are no strict and strictly defined terms for pruning strawberry leaves. Depending on the timing of ripening and, accordingly, harvesting the last crop from the beds, you can start pruning in July or early August.
It is much more important to do this correctly - not under the root, but leaving the stems at 10 cm. So you leave the growth points for new shoots. In addition, after pruning it is necessary to feed the plants, loosen the soil, and properly water the beds.
When to cut strawberries for the winter?
After the summer pruning of strawberries, it is not necessary to cut it further for the winter. Until autumn, the plant should again be well-rounded and form a full-fledged bush. If this does not happen, the strawberry may freeze in winter. And even in spite of the new foliage grown in spring, you are unlikely to get a crop, because the flower buds simply will not have time to recover.
There is no need to succumb to such arguments in favor of the need to trim leaves for the winter, like pests, diseases and waste of bush forces on unnecessary leaves and mustaches.
How to prepare strawberries for the winter?
The best actions will be fertilizing with organic and mineral fertilizers, loosening beds. Decontaminate the soil before hibernation can be done with a solution of potassium permanganate and ash. Do it without dependence
Before the cold, strawberries must be well covered with pine needles. This will help her to endure severe frosts. In spring, with the onset of stable heat, you remove the mulch and young shoots will be able to climb to the sun without hindrance.
If you did everything right, then a bush with a sturdy top will perfectly bear wintering and the next year will please you again with an excellent harvest.