Mulching strawberries simulates a natural process. The plants are protected from drought stress, temperature fluctuations, weeds and pests. To ensure that no mistakes creep in, find out about suitable materials and the right approach here.
What does it mean to mulch strawberries?
Mulching strawberries means spreading a layer of materials such as straw, sawdust or bark mulch on the ground around the plants. Mulching protects against drought stress, temperature fluctuations, weeds and pests and keeps the fruit clean.
Approved mulching material – an overview
In the natural hobby garden, natural raw materials dominate for use as mulching material. The sterile, black film from the commercial cultivation of strawberries is rarely used. This is hardly surprising, as there is a we alth of options to choose from that are in harmony with nature. The following overview presents the most common natural substances:
- Straw: the most commonly used mulching material in strawberry cultivation keeps the soil moist longer and the fruits clean
- Sawdust: a practical alternative to straw with similar benefits
- Wood wool: is preferably used in flower boxes and other planters to cover the substrate
- Expanded clay: the reusable mulching material in pots and planters
- Bark mulch: regulates the soil climate and ensures clean strawberries
Where there is a lot of wood cuttings in the garden, the cuttings are chopped up in the shredder and used to cover beds under strawberry plants. Leaves and pine needles also meet the requirements for suitable mulching material. The use of moist grass clippings is not recommended because it promotes the spread of diseases.
The right mulching technique
There is still controversy among hobby gardeners regarding the optimal time for distributing mulch material. Immediately after planting, the first layer of soil cover can be applied. After flowering at the latest, it is definitely time to use straw or bark mulch. Here's how to do it:
- Strictly check the mulching material for contamination by unwanted weeds
- Weeding the strawberry bed without raking deeply
- Distribute straw, bark mulch or other materials evenly by hand
- the mulch layer should not be higher than 3-5 centimeters
In autumn or spring, the used top layer is worked into the soil to make room for fresh mulch material.
Tips & Tricks
Mulching material made from wood chips tends to remove nutrients from the soil. Where the advantages of bark mulch or sawdust are used in the strawberry bed, the material should be enriched with horn shavings (€12.00 on Amazon). Before mulching, apply the organic fertilizer at a dosage of 40-60 grams per square meter.