The quality of a strawberry harvest depends largely on the extent to which the plants and fruits are protected from pollution and frost. With adequate coverage you can make a big difference. Here's how to do it correctly.
How do I properly cover strawberries?
To properly cover strawberries, use natural materials such as straw, hay, bark mulch, sawdust, wood shavings or pine fronds. These protect the plant from frost, dirt and drought stress. Make sure the cover is not soaked and replace it if necessary. Bird protection nets offer protection from hungry birds.
Straw – natural protection against cold and dirt
An environmentally conscious hobby gardener will not let any artificial or chemical materials come through the garden gate. That's a good thing, because Mother Nature provides a we alth of biological tools. For frost-sensitive strawberry plants, straw and hay are at the top of the list of effective aids to protect the shallow root system from frostbite. How to use it correctly:
- spread a 2-3 centimeter thick layer of straw under the strawberry plants in the bed and flower box
- immediately after planting, but at the latest after flowering
- Work the mulch into the soil every spring and distribute fresh straw and hay
The stable, dried grass protects the strawberries from damage in several ways. Late ground frosts do not penetrate, direct sunlight does not cause drought stress and the fruits close to the ground remain appetizingly clean.
Suitable alternatives to covering with straw
Straw and hay are by no means the only cover for strawberry plants. The following variants have also proven to be practical:
- Bark mulch: keeps the soil moist and warm and the strawberries clean
- Sawdust from untreated wood: also repel snails
- Wood wool: the ideal cover for pots and planters
- Fir fronds: they are still useful even after the tree has been cut
Whatever variant of cover is used; Under no circumstances should the underlay remain on the floor for a long time when it is soaked. Fungal diseases, mold and rot develop within a short period of time. Therefore, check the material regularly and replace it in good time if necessary.
Repel pecking birds safely
Since straw, hay and other biological covers do not protect the strawberry plants from hungry birds, another variant comes into play in this case. High-quality bird protection nets with a mesh size of 7x7 mm are tight enough so that the animals do not get caught in them. At the same time, the material is so light that it can rest on the strawberries.
Tips & Tricks
A cover contributes effectively to germination even when sowing strawberries. In this regard, the natural silicate vermiculite has established itself as a useful seed aid. The tiny plates protect the seeds from blazing sun, dryness and washing out, while at the same time allowing enough light to reach the seeds.
