A prerequisite for growing garden strawberries is regular irrigation. Moreover, the frequency and rate of crop irrigation depends on the season, the growing season and many other factors. We learn how to properly water strawberries, and what are the ways of watering.
When to start watering?
In early spring, strawberries do not need to be watered - they have enough moisture obtained from melting snow. When water supplies are used up, start artificially moistening the beds.
The start of watering depends on the climate:
- in the southern regions and the middle lane - end of April;
- in northern latitudes - early May.
You can't rely only on the calendar. The start of the watering season is affected by weather conditions and other factors. If the soil is dry, and outside the window - mid-April, do not waste time - water strawberry beds, and in rainy weather refuse watering at all.
Start watering by removing the layer of mulch scattered in the fall. In it, as on old leaves, pests hide that cannot be left on beds. Cleaning the mulching layer allows the soil to warm up faster - this speeds up the development of leaves and roots of plants.
In spring, it is recommended to water strawberries in the morning. Evening hydration is contraindicated - if it gets colder at night, there is a high risk of developing root rot and other diseases.
What affects the number of irrigation of strawberries?
Garden strawberries tolerate harsh climatic conditions, but are very demanding on watering. Excess or lack of water is equally detrimental to this berry. So that watering does not damage the strawberries, consider a lot of factors.
Weather
The climate and the prevailing weather conditions significantly affect all agricultural technology of strawberries and irrigation in particular. To minimize problems associated with moisture, when choosing varieties, take into account their relation to moisture:
- in arid regions, it is recommended to cultivate strawberry varieties that tolerate drought;
- in regions where wet weather is not uncommon, moisture-resistant varieties are planted that prefer frequent watering;
- in areas where there is a seasonal drop in rainfall and temperatures, dry winds and scorching heat, it is recommended to plant varieties and hybrids with increased endurance.
The irrigation schedule in regions with any climate is affected by current weather conditions:
- If the heat does not subside for days, and the soil does not have time to cool down until the morning, water the beds daily without sparing water.
- If the weather is warm and the rains occur at regular intervals, water the strawberries only as needed.
- No watering is required during rainy summers. On the contrary, you have to save the berry from excessive dampness - for example, cover it with a film. The greenhouse must have through ventilation - do not close the sides.
There is no universal frequency of irrigation for strawberries. It depends on the condition of the soil. Insert your hand into the ground to understand - it is time to water or not. If your fingers easily enter the dust and do not feel the wet layer, urgently moisten the beds - you are already late with watering.
Start a large container in the garden or in the garden, in which you collect water in advance, and when it heats up in the sun, use it for watering.
Soil structure
Consider soil conditions when watering. The frequency and rate of irrigation depends on its structure:
- Sand. From its content depends on the speed of deep water withdrawal. As the concentration of sand increases, the passage of water accelerates. Due to the loose structure of the soil, plants with surface roots do not have time to be saturated with water.
Strawberries growing on sandy soils have to be watered more often. The watering rate is also increased so that the plant has time to "drink" more water. - Clay. Clay soils are dangerous due to waterlogging - they retain moisture, preventing it from being absorbed by deep layers. Stagnation of water leads to decay of the roots of strawberries. The introduction of sand during the preparation of the beds helps to improve the situation.
If the soil structure cannot be corrected:
- strictly observe the irrigation rate;
- if there is a lack of moisture, make buried beds;
- when heating the site, equip the raised beds;
- arrange drainage if there is high groundwater, and put drip irrigation if there is little rain.
Landscape features
It is recommended to grow garden strawberries in flat areas, but they are not available everywhere. Often, surfaces that are ideal at first glance have a significant slope, due to which one part is wetted, the other, on the contrary, is poorly saturated with moisture.
How to solve a problem:
- Place the beds not along the direction of the slope, but across.
- With a slight slope, it is possible to do without terraces; it is enough to lay drip irrigation. Then under each bush the soil will be qualitatively wet.
The height of the beds
Tall beds quickly warm up under the rays of the spring sun. Here, the vegetative development of the bushes begins earlier than on a flat area. The activity increases if there is organic layer-by-layer heating under the bed - it is enough just for the life cycle of strawberries (4-5 years).
The disadvantage of high beds is quick drying out. Melt and rain water quickly leaves them, and strawberries in such beds have to be watered much more often than in flat areas, and even more so in deeper beds.
Usually, in hot weather, strawberries are watered daily, but in high beds, the frequency of watering has to be doubled. Moisten the soil in the early morning and before sunset, when the heat subsides.
Basic rules for watering
Improper watering of strawberries leads to loss of crop. One wrong action can lead not only to diseases and loss of crop, but even to the death of the berry.
How to water garden strawberries - general rules:
- use only warm, settled water;
- do not flood the beds - this threatens with fungal diseases;
- after watering, loosen the soil to prevent crust formation and provide air access to the roots;
- mulch the soil after moistening to retain moisture and prevent weeds from growing;
- so that the moisture does not evaporate too quickly, water the strawberry beds when there is no sun - in cloudy weather, in the morning, in the evening;
- between morning watering and sunshine should pass at least half an hour.
Watering in sunny weather threatens to burn strawberries. Each drop, falling on the leaves, turns into a small lens that amplifies the energy of the UV rays.
Features of irrigation of strawberries at different stages of vegetation
At all stages of development, garden strawberries are very sensitive to watering. Moreover, at each stage it is necessary not only to observe the general rules, but also a number of special settings that take into account the characteristics of the current vegetation.
How to water seedlings?
Seedling watering rules:
- use a syringe or small enema to moisten the soil;
- water the seedlings every 2-3 days;
- try not to drop water on the leaves;
- observe the irrigation rate, do not allow the substrate to dry out and waterlog.
The main danger when growing any seedlings, including strawberries, is the black leg. This is an incurable fungal disease that can kill seedlings in a matter of days. Appears when the substrate is waterlogged.
As a preventive measure, water the seedlings with a fungicide once or twice, for example, Trichopolum or Trichodermin. Maintain an interval of 1-2 weeks between waterings.
Gardeners often confuse garden strawberries and strawberries. These cultures belong to different species and differ in a set of chromosomes. The strawberries have higher bushes, and the berries are smaller. Strawberries, unlike strawberries, are less demanding on moisture.
Watering after planting in the ground
When planting seedlings in the ground, they must be watered. Water is poured into the holes, and when it is absorbed, seedlings are placed in them. You can do the opposite - first plant seedlings, and then water.
Planted strawberries are watered according to a special scheme:
- Pour enough water so that it is completely absorbed without stagnating in the recesses. Otherwise, the bushes take root poorly. The approximate rate of water is 10 liters per 1 sq. m.
- Moisten young plantings often, but not liberally. Let the ground be a little wet all the time, then the bushes will actively grow roots.
- For the first 2-3 weeks, water the plantings from above. Such water treatments promote rooting. Water the bushes with a watering can, putting a shower head on its spout. The optimal time for the event is early morning.
- One month after planting, increase the irrigation rate while reducing the frequency.
During flowering
When the strawberries are in bloom and the weather is fine, watering is not necessary. If the soil dries up, you have to moisten the beds. Do this very carefully so that no drops of water get on the flowers. If she rinses off the pollen from the pistils, the berries will not set.
Water flowering strawberries:
- in normal weather - every 10-14 days;
- in the morning, otherwise slugs will crawl at night;
- in the heat - every 3-4 days;
- watering can under the bushes or drip irrigation.
In rainy weather, be sure to cover the flowering beds with film so that the number of ovaries is not reduced.
The norm of watering flowering strawberries is 2 buckets per 1 sq. Km. m. For one bush - about 1 liter of water. The norm for loose earth is 10-12 liters, for clay - 8-10 liters. The depth of water penetration is 25 cm.
If during flowering, strawberries get less water, its pollen will be sterile. With an excess of moisture, it is inconvenient for bees to pollinate flowering bushes, berries are not tied, yield decreases.
During fruiting
When berries appear, it is important to preserve the crop by not allowing them to rot. Excess moisture during this period is unacceptable, but you can not do without regular hydration. Run the water along the furrows so that it does not touch the berries. The best option is drip irrigation.
How to water fruiting strawberries:
- every 1-2 weeks, more often if it is very hot;
- for 1 sq. m - 3 buckets of water;
- if the weather is rainy, additional humidification is not required;
- to retain moisture in the soil, sprinkle it with mulch, at the same time protect the berries from contact with the ground;
- water the beds after picking the berries.
If during the formation and ripening of fruits the strawberry bushes are deficient in moisture, this negatively affects the crop. The berries ripen small and not juicy.
After harvest
Inexperienced gardeners often make the mistake of not watering strawberries after fruiting is complete. During this period, flower buds are laid for the next season and mustache is built up, therefore plants need water.
How to water strawberries after picking berries:
- Rarely, but plentiful. Pour water directly on the leaves to wash away dust and insects from them.
- Before the onset of cold weather, water the beds especially well - this is moisture charging for the winter.
Seasonal watering
Watering strawberries, gardeners focus on the growing season and weather. Many berry lovers find it easier to navigate the seasons. The growing season of the culture stretches for three seasons, and each has its own irrigation irrigation technique.
Spring
With the arrival of spring, the strawberry wakes up, its vegetation begins. At this time of year bloom and the beginning of the formation of berries.
Spring watering procedure:
- It happens that winters have little snow. Then you have to start irrigation earlier than usual.
- 2 weeks after the snow melts, pour boiling water over the spaces between the plants. Use a watering can for this purpose. Pour water from a distance of 1 m - the water will cool down to about +70 ° C, and will not harm the plants.
Irrigation rate - 0.5 l per plant. When boiling water penetrates to a depth of 10 cm, it will cool down a little more - to about + 30 ° С. Spilling with boiling water allows you to destroy pests wintering in the upper layers of the soil. Repeat the treatment after a week. - Beginning in late April, strawberries are watered weekly. In total, during the spring, you will have to water the strawberry beds 2-3 times. Such a calculation is useful for summer residents who are planning trips to the country.
Spilling with hot water is used only in the early spring, before the strawberry bushes begin to grow. Boiling water can damage the shoots.
Summer
Watering in the summer season is particularly dependent on climate and weather. The weather during this period can vary from prolonged rains to heat that does not subside for days. In the summer, there are stages of fruit formation and fruiting, so watering is carried out taking into account the vegetative phase.
Approximate frequency of irrigation:
- at the beginning of summer - once every 1-2 weeks;
- when the berries appear - 1-2 times a week;
- when the temperature rises - 4-5 times a week.
Fall
At this time of the year, fruiting ends, frequent watering is no longer needed. But we must not forget about them either. In total, 2-3 waterings are carried out in the fall. Their main principle is to moisturize rarely, but generously.
Watering Methods
Strawberry beds are watered in all known ways. Each gardener uses the watering method that is available to him.
Manual method
This is the most labor intensive and least efficient method of watering. Today it is used only in cottages, where there is no access to central water supply, and there is no way to extract water from the ground.
Manual watering methods:
- From a watering can or bucket. Suitable only for small berries.
- From the hose. A more comfortable and effective way, but you need to move the hose from place to place. The lack of watering with a hose is the washing out of the soil from under the bushes and the spread of infection from infected berries throughout the berry.
Sprinkling
Watering of berries is carried out using sprinklers. Water is pumped into nozzles through which it is sprayed into the surrounding area.
There are two types of installations:
- Mobile. Hoses with spray nozzles are laid out on the ground. If necessary, they are transferred from place to place.
- Stationary. Water is supplied through pipes buried in the ground or fixed to the ground. There are rain heads on the surface that cannot be moved. When constructing such installations, they think in advance where to place the sprinklers.
Drip irrigation
This is the most convenient and efficient way of watering today. It is used for any garden planting, including berries. To organize drip irrigation, a system of plastic pipes is used, to which pipes of a smaller diameter are attached. Droppers are installed on them.
Through droppers, water is supplied in portions for each plant. Watering is automated, and the gardener does not have to spend time on watering. This option is especially convenient in berries, where a black film is used - it retains moisture in the soil, and water costs are reduced.
Combination of watering and dressing
Strawberries, like most crops, are recommended to be watered during or in front of fertilizing. In order not to exceed the frequency and rate of watering, it is necessary to combine two agrotechnical measures.
How to properly combine watering and fertilizing:
- Organic matter and mineral fertilizers are better absorbed in a diluted form.
- For the first spring watering, apply nitrogenous fertilizer. For example, ammonium nitrate is suitable.
- Combine one more spring feeding with watering. Apply organic matter (humus or compost) or mineral fertilizer (nitrophosphate and potassium). The norm is 1/2 l of solution per plant.
- The next top dressing is spring again. Have time to spend it before flowering. Add potassium sulfate.
- As soon as you see pests and signs of disease, spill the beds with a solution of iodine and potassium permanganate. The maximum frequency is once every 2 weeks.
- When the strawberries bloom, apply complex fertilizers along with the water, which quickly dissolve in water. The maximum number of dressings is 4 during the entire growing season.
Useful Tips
Growing strawberries is full of strict rules and nuances.Tips from experienced gardeners will help you get a good harvest:
- Ideal water temperature: + 18 ... + 20 ° С. If you are too lazy and do not heat the water, there is a big risk of developing diseases and rot. Cold water degrades the quality of berries, inhibits plant growth. But overheating should not be allowed - water heated to +40 ° C causes thermal burns in wild strawberries.
Although strawberries cannot be watered with water that is not heated in the sun, there is a situation when the rule is allowed to be broken. Spraying cooling water protects the berry from drying out in extreme heat. It is produced through special rain installations and allows the creation of a cooling cloud of micro-droplets. - To protect the plantings from fungal diseases during moistening, it is recommended to scatter an antibacterial pillow over the beds. Straw is the easiest and cheapest mulch to use. Mulch becomes a barrier to fungi, absorbs excess moisture and keeps the berries clean.
- Stop watering on time. At least a few days must pass between the last moisture and the first frost, otherwise there is a risk of freezing of the strawberry roots.
If there is no water in the garden or summer cottage, and the climate does not indulge the farmers with rain, you should not even try to grow garden strawberries. This berry needs constant care, including maintaining optimal soil moisture by regulating the frequency and rate of irrigation.
Author of the publication
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Russia. City Novosibirsk
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