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If you do not water the strawberries in the fall, this will lead to a decrease in yield for the next year. Competent preparation of the plant for hibernation can reduce the amount of work in the spring months.
Do I need to water strawberries in autumn
One of the mistakes gardeners make is neglecting the care of the bushes at the end of the fruiting period. Although strawberries are an unpretentious crop, they need to be watered, loosened and weeded throughout the summer and fall.
In strawberries, the root system is poorly developed, so the plant is not able to independently extract moisture from the deep layers of the soil.
Do I need to water strawberries in autumn in October
Before winter frosts, it is imperative to carry out water-charging irrigation. Its purpose is to protect the soil from freezing. It is recommended to water strawberries for these purposes in late September or early October.
Timing of autumn watering of strawberries
Throughout September and early October, the soil with the plant should be moistened at least twice a week. It is necessary to water the strawberries abundantly in the fall, setting aside time for the procedure in the morning.
What and how to water strawberries after planting in the fall
To moisten the soil, you should use clean water: warm and settled. Various accessories can be used as watering agents.
It is customary to purchase a garden watering can as a classic tool for moistening the soil.
Its main disadvantage is the need to spend additional time and effort for watering. Alternatively, it is possible to use a hose, but then gardeners are faced with the problem of overconsumption of water.
Rational equipment at the site of the drip irrigation system. This method allows water to be delivered directly to the strawberry roots, which makes it possible to use the tool throughout the growing season.
Advantages of drip irrigation:
- lower water consumption;
- the ability to independently determine the dosage of water for irrigation;
- saving physical strength and time.
Most often, gardeners strive to organize a drip irrigation system, on whose plots there is not one garden bed, but a whole strawberry plantation.
It is possible to use the sprinkler method for autumn care of strawberries. It consists in the equipment on the site of a mobile or stationary device - a sprinkler for irrigation. Sprinklers are available in circular, rotary, swinging, or fan types. The volume of the area for irrigation will depend on the selected device. Timers and sensors are installed on expensive models for ease of use.
The main disadvantage of sprinkler systems is the high liquid consumption.
Algorithm for autumn watering of strawberries:
- Water preparation. Its temperature should be + 18-20 ° C. You need to use clean, previously settled water. Wells and wells are not suitable for these purposes, since rot may develop on the bushes, the appearance of signs of disease, and a decrease in the level of productivity.
- The choice of tools for watering.Drip systems and sprinklers require installation. You can use improvised means - watering cans, buckets.
- Determination of the need for fertilizers. Most dressings are made during watering. It is not recommended to add the substances in dry form, with this use their effectiveness is lower.
- Moistening the soil in autumn should be done in the morning so that the sun's rays do not burn the leaves. In the evening, the procedure is not recommended due to the risk of slugs.
- Loosening the soil at the end of the autumn watering.
How often to water strawberries after planting in the fall
The crop needs moisture immediately after planting. Further watering should be carried out taking into account weather conditions. On hot, sunny days, every day, in cloudy weather, every 3-4 days. There is no need to moisten the soil during the rainy season.
Last watering of strawberries in autumn
Before the onset of winter frosts during October, strawberries should be moistened once a week. Autumn watering is carried out if there is no rain.
If the soil is moist and regular precipitation is observed, the procedure can be neglected.
To check the condition of the soil, you need to take a handful of earth, if, when compressed, it collects into a lump, then there is a sufficient amount of water in it. If the soil is dry to the touch and crumbles, then an irrigation procedure is necessary.
How to water strawberries in autumn after pruning
Top dressing and watering are interrelated procedures during autumn crop care. The introduction of nutrients should be carried out in a moist soil.
The following substances are the best options for feeding after pruning:
- compost;
- infusion of nettle;
- mullein;
- humus;
- chicken droppings.
Mullein or dung can be spread dry around the bushes and then spilled. Chicken droppings should be diluted before use. Concentrated fertilizer can harm the plant. To dilute it, you need to dissolve 1 kg of droppings in 20 liters of water.
Pour 1 liter of fertilizer on each bush
When using nettle, the plant is crushed and transferred to a plastic container, then filled with water. For 1 kg of grass, 20 liters of water are needed. Close the container with the mixture and leave in a dark, warm place for two weeks. Before use, the top dressing should be diluted in water in a ratio of 1: 10.
It is generally accepted that the fertilizer is ready for use when foam appears on the surface of the mixture.
Conclusion
Watering strawberries in the fall should be timely and competent. The frequency of the procedure and compliance with the rules of agricultural technology will depend not only on the yield of the crop for the next year, but also on its winter hardiness. You should be guided by generally accepted norms and weather conditions, especially the climate in a particular region.
