How to Grow Strawberries?
Strawberry cultivation has been a particularly preferred agricultural activity in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions of Turkey. However, today, with various strawberry species adapting to different climatic conditions, it can also be successfully implemented in Central Anatolia and other regions. The first step for this successful cultivation is suitable soil selection and preparation. Strawberries develop best in humus-rich, well-drained soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Adding organic matter, ensuring soil aeration, and providing good drainage are important elements of soil preparation.
Variety selection is of great importance in strawberry cultivation. Choosing varieties suitable for climatic conditions can increase productivity and the chance of success. Seedling planting is generally done in the autumn or early spring months. Placing the seedlings at regular intervals and carefully is important for a healthy start. Irrigation plays a vital role in strawberry cultivation. Regular and sufficient irrigation positively affects plant growth and fruit yield.
Fertilization is important for the healthy growth and productivity of strawberries. Fertilization in correct amounts and at appropriate periods meets the needs of the plants. Additionally, plant protection should not be ignored. Appropriate measures should be taken to combat diseases and harmful organisms, and integrated pest control methods should be preferred. Harvest time is the period when strawberries reach full maturity. Consuming or marketing harvested strawberries immediately increases product quality. Strawberry cultivation is a process that requires careful planning and implementation, but with the right methods, it can provide farmers with a satisfying yield.
How to Grow Strawberries Step by Step?
You can follow the steps below to grow strawberries:
Soil Selection and Preparation
Identify your soil: Strawberries grow best in humus-rich and well-drained soils. Check the pH level of your soil and ensure it is between 5.5 and 6.5.
Prepare the soil: Increase the nutritional value by adding organic matter to the soil. You can use a hoe or pickaxe to aerate the soil. Also, regularly check the soil to improve water drainage.
Variety Selection
Choosing varieties suitable for climatic conditions: Choose hardy varieties suitable for your region's climate. You can get help from local garden centers or agricultural experts.
Seedling Planting
Planting time: It is ideal to plant seedlings generally at the beginning of autumn or in early spring.
Planting intervals: Carefully adjust the distance between seedlings. This ensures the healthy growth of the plants.
Irrigation
Irrigation need: Strawberries need regular and sufficient water. You can use drip irrigation systems to ensure the soil is constantly moist.
Fertilization
Fertilizer use: Using fertilizer in the correct amounts meets the nutritional needs of strawberries. Organic fertilizers can be preferred.
Fertilization time: Fertilization should be done after planting the seedlings and during the fruiting period.
Plant Protection
Combating diseases and pests: Keep diseases and pests under control by taking plant protection measures. Prefer integrated pest control methods.
Harvest
Harvest time: Strawberries should be harvested when they reach full maturity. Red color and a sweet aroma are usually signs of full maturity.
Maintenance and Pruning
Regular maintenance: Check the overall health of the plants, clean dry leaves, and apply regular irrigation and fertilization.
Pruning: Focus energy on the fruits by pruning excess shoots and leaves. Pruning can help the plants be more productive.
Where are Strawberries Grown?
The regions suitable for growing strawberries are those where strawberries are sensitive to soil, climate, and other growth factors. Strawberries generally prefer moderately loamy soils. However, strawberry cultivation is not recommended in calcareous soils. Careful evaluation of factors such as the selection of the correct strawberry variety, suitability of soil conditions, irrigation system, and sufficient sunlight is critical in this process.
Strawberry Cultivation in the Field
The first step for strawberry cultivation in the field is the selection of moderately loamy soils that strawberries like. However, strawberry cultivation is not recommended in calcareous soils. During the soil preparation process, it is important to add organic matter and aerate the soil well.
Strawberry planting usually varies according to regional climate conditions in August-September. During planting, it is important to place the roots about 6-8 centimeters deep and leave the leaves above the soil. At this stage, root trimming should be performed and pesticide application should be carried out using the dipping method for protection against fungal infections.
State incentives are offered to farmers who want to grow strawberries in our country. State supports in areas such as irrigation equipment, mulch, and seedlings are just a few of the advantages provided to strawberry producers. These supports provide cost advantages to farmers, making strawberry cultivation more sustainable and economical. When field strawberry cultivation is done by considering these factors, it paves the way for a healthy and productive strawberry harvest.
How is Soilless Agriculture Strawberry Production Done?
Soilless strawberry production is an agricultural practice that has emerged as an alternative to traditional soil-based methods. This method involves growing strawberry plants in specially prepared environments instead of soil. Materials such as volcanic tuff, perlite, pumice stone, and rock wool are generally used as the growing medium. These materials help support strawberry roots and ensure nutrient uptake.
One of the fundamental elements in soilless strawberry production is the use of special nutrient solutions that provide nutrition to the plants. These solutions contain the essential nutrients that strawberry plants need. Automatic irrigation systems are used to provide water and nutrient solutions to the plants in a regular and controlled manner, which provides water savings.
The use of materials such as peat as organic matter can increase the water-holding capacity by providing an additional contribution to the environment. Additionally, air circulation and light control are also important in soilless strawberry production. The correct amount of air circulation and the appropriate amount of light support the healthy growth of strawberry plants.
The cost of soilless strawberry production may be slightly higher than soil-based production; however, the advantages offered by this method, such as high yield, easy maintenance, and fewer disease and pest problems, balance this cost. This method also provides environmental advantages by optimizing water savings and space usage. When soilless strawberry production is successfully applied with the correct material selection, regular maintenance, and disease control, it allows for healthy and productive strawberry production.
What are the Strawberry Growing Conditions?
Although strawberry growing conditions are generally suitable in many regions, strawberries are resistant to temperatures down to -10°C. In colder regions, especially when temperatures below -10°C are seen, it may be necessary to cover the plants with materials such as straw or dry leaves to protect them from frost. This makes strawberry cultivation possible even in colder climates. Late spring frosts can cause damage, especially in warm regions like the Mediterranean Region, but since the flowering period of strawberries is long, frost events do not damage the entire crop, which makes strawberries less risky than other fruit species.
In regions with high humidity and rainfall during the flowering time, disease problems may increase; especially botrytis disease can cause rot in strawberries. In this case, it is important to take disease control measures.
Those who want to grow strawberries in cold regions can achieve successful production by covering the plants with straw or similar materials to protect them from frost. In this way, strawberry cultivation becomes possible in a wide climatic range from the cold Eastern Anatolia Region to the warm Mediterranean Region in Turkey.
Flower formation, product quantity, and runner formation of strawberries depend on the day length. Short-day strawberries form runners in long days and flower buds in short days. This situation shows that strawberries show different responses depending on the day length. Day-neutral strawberries, on the other hand, can flower and bear fruit regardless of the day length.
The average temperature also affects strawberry production. Low temperature can increase flower bud formation. Frost events that occur after flowering has started can cause damage to the flowers. In this case, the top of the strawberry beds can be protected by covering them with plastic. However, the effect of frost events occurring after the fruit has set is less. It is important to consider these factors for strawberry cultivation in order to obtain a healthy product.
Strawberry Planting and Harvest Time,
Strawberry planting and harvest time are important stages in strawberry cultivation. Today, thanks to various agricultural techniques, strawberry seedling planting can be performed in all four seasons of the year, although the most suitable planting time is generally considered to be the spring months. In addition to this, depending on the climate conditions of the region, spring plantings are generally performed between February and April, and autumn plantings are performed in September.
For strawberry seedling planting, seedlings are planted in holes opened on average 15 centimeters deep and at intervals of 30-45 centimeters. It is important to water the seedlings sufficiently immediately after planting, because this helps the root systems establish good contact with the soil and grow stronger.
The harvest time varies depending on the planting date, production method (such as low tunnel, high tunnel, greenhouse), and variety selection. If production is to be carried out in a greenhouse, the late-season period may be preferred in some regions, because fruit size may be more prominent in this period. Strawberry harvest should generally be done on sunny and non-humid days. Fruits should be picked and handled gently by hand. After harvest, it is recommended to clean the fruits by washing them directly with cold water and then drying them. This helps maintain the freshness and quality of the fruits.
Strawberry Fertilization and Irrigation
In strawberry cultivation, fertilization and irrigation practices are of critical importance for healthy production. These processes should be carried out with the correct techniques and at regular intervals, so that a productive strawberry harvest can be obtained.
It is important that the soil where strawberry planting is done is initially supported with good fertilization. Fertilization applied in the spring provides the nutrients necessary for the healthy development and maximum fruit yield of strawberries. This stage supports the strengthening of strawberry seedlings and the growth of root systems in harmony with the soil.
Irrigation should be constantly considered from the moment strawberry seedlings are planted. Especially during the fruit formation process, it is important for strawberries to receive regular and sufficient irrigation. However, excessive irrigation should be avoided, because this situation can cause rot and diseases in strawberries.
After the fruit formation process has started, additional fertilization can be done according to the needs of the strawberry seedlings. This helps increase the fruit yield of the plants and exhibit healthy growth.
Fertilization and irrigation methods applied in this way constitute important steps for obtaining quality and productive production in strawberry cultivation.
Pest Control in Strawberry Cultivation
Pests in strawberry cultivation pose a serious threat to the health and productivity of the plants. With the effect of pests, plant development and fruit yield may decrease. Therefore, it is important to implement an effective pest control strategy. Preventive measures to be taken to prevent pests from nesting play a critical role in strawberry cultivation. Regular mixing of the soil and keeping the bottom of the plants clean can prevent the proliferation of pests.
Biological control is another method used to reduce the impact of pests. This method provides control by using natural enemies of pests. For example, keeping predatory insects of pests or predatory birds of plants within the environmental arrangement can offer a natural and ecological solution in the fight against pests.
Chemical control is a method frequently used in the fight against pests in strawberry cultivation. However, before chemical control is applied, it should be determined which pests will be fought against and the recommended doses should be followed meticulously. Otherwise, the use of chemicals can cause environmental pollution and the disruption of the natural balance.
You can get support from Hektaş expertise for detailed information about strawberry cultivation and pest control.
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