The better the soil is adapted to the requirements of strawberries, the more abundant the harvest will be. We will explain to you what the soil should be like. Proper preparation compensates for small deficiencies.
Which soil is best for strawberries?
Ideal soil for strawberries consists of loose, humus-rich soil with a small amount of sand, is nutrient-rich, fresh and moist without waterlogging and has a pH value between 6 and 7. Good soil preparation is crucial for lush harvests.
The best garden soil for magnificent strawberries
In the interaction of all location factors for growing strawberries, the soil plays a central role. In order for the plants to achieve the desired feat of strength and produce many delicious fruits, the garden soil should be structured like this:
- loose, humus-rich soil with a small amount of sand
- rich in nutrients, fresh and moist, but without waterlogging
- ideally a pH value between 6 and 7
Under no circumstances should you use soil on which strawberries have already been cultivated in the previous four years. In such a location, the risk of pests in the soil is so high that cultivation is not a good idea. A soil value that is too acidic also has a negative effect. If the pH value is below 5.5, lime is applied accordingly.
Preparation optimizes plant growth
Experienced hobby gardeners don't just rely on the good quality of their garden soil. They expertly prepare the plaice for the strawberry plants in advance. This is how it works:
- Pulses, early potatoes, mustard or leeks are preferably planted in pre-culture
- A few weeks beforehand, the soil is deeply enriched with compost and well-rotted manure
- Alternatively, add commercially available humus fertilizer (€44.00 at Amazon) to the bed 2 weeks before planting strawberries
Strawberries should, if possible, not be planted in freshly dug soil. Therefore, give the garden soil at least 14 days to settle. An even longer waiting time should be planned if the plants are placed in a raised bed. Since up to five layers of a wide variety of materials are stacked on top of each other, a rest period of at least 4 weeks is recommended.
Tips & Tricks
The ultimately prepared soil is left by previously sown green manure. Green manure plants can even loosen up the compacted soil of a new building site and enrich it with valuable nutrients. Strawberries particularly benefit from lupins, sweet peas, marigolds or tried-and-tested mixtures such as Tempo-Green or Gartendoktor.