What to do with strawberries in August?

Strawberries are a berry that needs constant grooming. You need to pay attention to strawberry beds not only in spring, but also at the end of summer. The frost resistance of plants, as well as their yield next year, depend on proper care during this period.

In August, after the end of fruiting, the bushes need to be given special attention. During this time, the plants grow new leaves. In August, new flower buds are also laid. Plants are actively stocking up on nutrients, which are spent next spring on the formation of large sweet berries.

As in other times of the year, strawberries need regular watering in August. Usually the bushes are watered once a week. If the summer is too hot, you can do this a little more often. Less often in cool weather. You always need to focus on the condition of the soil.

Warm water is used for irrigation. It perfectly moisturizes the soil and does not harm the plants. Some summer residents take settled rainwater for irrigation. It is worth remembering that if plants lack moisture, they remain weak and lethargic.

7-10 days after the end of the harvest, the bushes must be carefully examined. At this time, you need to remove from the site all leaves that have turned yellow or dried out. If this is not done, the plants in the next year will lack the necessary substances for development. Cut the leaves with a sharp pruner or garden shears. The work must be done very carefully.

Cutting the mustache can also help reduce nutrient consumption. They also need to be removed with a sharp secateurs. The antennae cannot be torn off with your hands. This can damage the root system of the plant. This is best done in the early morning or evening. After pruning the bushes, they need to be treated with pink potassium permanganate. This will help disinfect them.

Plants that are over four years old should be rooted out. They can be thrown into the compost pit along with unwanted leaves. After such treatment of the site, it must be additionally weeded out.

At the end of summer, it is also customary to process plants from various pests and diseases. First of all, you need to carefully inspect the site. If there are bushes affected by the disease in the garden, they must be immediately removed from the site.

Next, strawberries need to be treated with insecticides and agents that prevent the appearance of various diseases. Most summer residents use a solution of copper sulfate and potassium permanganate for this purpose. You can also use commercially available drugs instead.

At the end of August, the plants also need to be fed. A properly selected fertilizer will make the plant stronger and will also increase its frost resistance.

Most gardeners do not use fertilizing with nitrogen to fertilize strawberry beds in August. An exception to this rule should be made only if more than 60% of the leaves were cut from the bush. In this case, the strawberry can quickly grow strong and healthy leaves.

When choosing a fertilizer option for beds in August, you should pay attention to special complex products created for autumn feeding. They contain everything that plants need at this time of year.

You can also use high-quality organic fertilizers instead of such dressings. Most often, gardeners fertilize strawberry beds with humus, ash or peat. You should not use bird droppings for feeding bushes in August. It contains too much nitrogen. After fertilization, the beds are usually watered with warm water.

Nettle infusion can also help to increase the yield of the plant. The leaves of the plants must be collected and placed in a large bucket. You also need to add hot water there. Nettle infusion should be left in a warm place for a week. After this time, the solution must be diluted with clean water in a ratio of 1 to 10. The resulting product is poured over the bushes.

A layer of mulch is used to protect plants from weeds and pests. You can cover strawberry bushes with the following materials.

1. Straw. It is the most popular natural material used for mulching the site. It perfectly permeates water and protects the roots of the plant from the cold. Only dry material can be used for mulching strawberries with straw. This material is a temporary solution. Towards the end of autumn, the straw will need to be removed and replaced with something else.
2. Garden chips. This material is of high quality and durable. Mulch protects bushes from freezing. In addition, thanks to the use of this material, the site looks more attractive. As a rule, the bark of larch or conifers is used for mulching. The size of the chips used should not be too large.
3. Needles. Many gardeners in August mulch the garden with needles. This material protects the beds from pests and cold weather. In addition, it quickly decays. Therefore, the soil becomes more nutritious. In the spring, the remains of such mulch are usually buried in the ground.
4. Sawdust. This material decomposes rather slowly. It perfectly protects the site from pests. Sawdust strongly absorbs moisture. Therefore, after mulching the area, you need to temporarily increase the amount of water used for irrigation.

Many gardeners in August are also transplanting strawberries. Seedlings for this purpose must be purchased from proven nurseries. In this case, the person will have confidence that the plant is healthy.

You need to plant strawberries in a properly prepared area. Young plants are placed on that part of the garden that is well lit. The area must be weeded well and cleaned of all weeds. At the end of July or at the beginning of August, fertilizers must be applied to the soil. At this stage, it is best to use natural feeding. The process of planting bushes itself consists of the following stages.

1. On the selected plot of land, it is necessary to dig the required number of holes. They should be at a distance of 30-50 cm from each other.
2. Pour some warm water into each hole. It should be well absorbed into the soil.
3. It is necessary to lower the seedlings there. The roots of each plant must be carefully spread out.
4. Next, the plant must be sprinkled with earth. She must completely hide his roots. In this case, they will not freeze in winter.
5. After planting, the bushes can be mulched. Usually dry wood shavings or straw are used for this.

If you plant strawberries in August, the plants will have time to take root before winter. In addition, in the next season, you can count on an early harvest.

When properly cared for in August, strawberries will be healthy and strong.