How to protect strawberries from weeds?

Strawberries quite often suffer from annual and perennial weeds. Cultivated bushes compete fiercely with weeds for food and sunlight. To prevent this from happening, you should constantly weed the beds or use modern methods of protecting strawberries with special materials.

It takes a lot of effort to grow weed-free strawberries. Every summer resident knows how laborious the process of weeding the beds is. Moreover, during the season it is held not once, but several times. Thanks to modern technologies, an excellent solution was found in the form of covering the ground with special materials that suppress the growth of weeds. At the same time, small strawberry bushes continue to grow and develop normally.

This method is not only effective, but also quite economical in terms of energy expenditure. However, it has the following advantages:

• the material transmits air, sun light and has a beneficial effect on beneficial microorganisms in the soil;
• covering material can be safely used repeatedly;
• mold and fungi do not appear under the shelter;
• The eco-friendly coating does not interact with soil, nutrient solutions or just water.

Currently, a large number of materials are known that are able to protect strawberries from harmful weeds.

It assumes a bedding in the form of straw. Other organic materials are also suitable for shelter. As long as the mulch is fresh, it can partially inhibit the growth of weeds. The cover layer should be at least eight centimeters.

This film is mainly used in countries where it is cool. It is worth noting that this method is in demand in Russia due to the absence of weeds and pests, the convenience of working with a mustache, clean berries and accelerated fruiting. However, for this it is necessary to choose only expensive and high-quality film, so that it does not burst and collapse too quickly. Among the disadvantages of this option, it should be emphasized that there is no opportunity for the soil to breathe, overheating of the roots of the bushes, and rotting. It is also advisable to lay drip irrigation under the film in advance.

Non-woven cover material (agrofibre) is a very convenient way to mulch the soil. It is worth choosing a black coating, as it includes all the positive properties of the film. At the same time, there are no disadvantages. The soft mulching fabric has no creases and is easy to cut and sew to create a fabric of any size. It is completely unaffected by the sun's rays and can be used for several years.

Manufacturers produce agrofibre using similar technologies, but the names may be different. Currently, the following are known: spunbond, agrospan, agril, agrotex, agrolux, lutrasil, grintex.

It will be most effective to grow strawberries under cover material from the very beginning. It is advisable to prepare the soil before planting. First of all, it should be cleaned of weeds.To do this, you can use herbicides, plant siderates, and deep digging. Sometimes it is enough to dig up the ground to a depth of 40 centimeters, and then carefully select the roots of the weeds.

After cleaning the soil, fertilizers are applied to it (calculation per square meter of strawberry plantings):

• from 10 kilograms of rotted humus;
• 0.5 liters of wood ash;
• humate and trace elements (according to the instructions on the pack);
• potassium sulfate - from 20 to 30 grams;
• superphosphate - 40 to 50 grams.

It is better to organize the beds higher, especially if groundwater passes near. If not, then they can be made level with the ground. Before covering the soil with agrofibre, he it is necessary to give from 15 to 30 days to settle.

The process of covering the beds is divided into the following stages.

• The first step is to make measurements of the area and make a canvas of the required size on it. If joining is necessary, it is important not to forget to make allowances.
• After that, it is necessary to cover the beds with the material, and if necessary, docking with the entry of one canvas onto another by 15 centimeters. It should be borne in mind that the sides of the canvas are different. The agrofibre falls on the ground with the smoother part, and the honeycomb must remain outside so that the water passes well to the strawberry roots.
• The edges of the fabric are placed in a depression and sprinkled with soil.
• For additional fastening of agrofibre, it is worth using studs with a length of 8 centimeters or more. They are made from wire in advance.
• The paths between the beds must be covered with boards for ease of movement.
• On the spread canvas, using ropes, it is necessary to outline even rows.
• After that, places for future strawberry bushes should be noted. It is convenient to use chalk for this. As a rule, meter beds are planted in 2 rows. Planting patterns are selected depending on the strawberry variety.
• In the places of the holes, small cuts are made in the form of a cross.
• Small depressions are made under the cuts and poured with water.
• Next, by hand, you need to push the edges of the fabric at the incision site and place the roots in the hole so that no folds are formed on them. Then they are sprinkled with soil. In this case, the compacted base of the bush should be slightly higher than the ground level.
• Water should be directly into the holes. It is important that the growth point remains open as it will start to rot under the ground.

Strawberries are best protected from weeds by special herbicides.... They can be presented as powders or emulsions. In addition to getting rid of weeds, they also strengthen crops and increase yields.

Herbicide treatment is carried out before the formation of ovaries. Late spring or early summer are best suited for this. You can also use the products after the last harvest. Experts recommend using herbicides several times a year:

• before planting strawberry seedlings in the spring;
• in the first month of growth of the bushes;
• summer;
• early autumn.

When processing strawberries with weed control in the early stages of planting, it is worth using Galtix or Betanal. They are used at the rate of 2 kilograms or 3 liters per hectare. These drugs are most effective against weeds before they begin to grow. As a rule, they carry out several treatments. In the phase when the growth of weeds is already active, it is better suited "Glyphosate".

Among the effective means is also worth noting "Daktal", which allows you to protect strawberries from weeds from the cereal family in the first months after planting.... For dicotyledonous weeds, it is optimal to use a mixture of Fenmedipham, Desmedipham and Etofumezat. Such a composition is applied at the rate of one and a half liters per hectare of plantation. Moreover, it is necessary to carry out processing when the soil is wet.

For summer treatments against annual and perennial weeds, "Prism" or "PAB" are suitable. Herbicides containing clopyralid were highly recommended. Such agents are able to penetrate plants through the leaves. For areas where thistle, sorrel, chamomile, plantain or dandelions are rampant, Lontrel 300-D is the best option.

In the first autumn, winter weeds will be conveniently controlled with Sinbar or Devrinola. However, the first remedy is suitable for exceptionally strong strawberry bushes. Also in the autumn you can use "Lenatsil". This drug effectively protects against weeds, especially from dicotyledons.