Who does not like strawberries? Strawberries are one of our favorite fruits and a crop and are a great plant for beginners to start with because there are virtually no diseases or problems, they are very easy to care for.
Strawberries are one of the easiest fruits that you can plant and grow in your backyard, as this fruit needs good drainage, and a raised bed gives you perfect drainage and you are able to determine the type of soil for your strawberries. Ever wonder why strawberries that are planted on raised beds usually have healthier and higher yields?
The first thing you need to make sure is the right soil type. Strawberries are called heavy feeders which means they want high nutrient, high organic matter soil, and well-draining soil.
Choose Varieties
- June-bearing
- Ever-bearing
- Day-neutral strawberries
There are three types of strawberries, i.e. Everbearing, day-neutral, and June bearing, like their names June bearing bears strawberries in one particular season i.e. June while everbearing produces fruits in two different seasons, and day neutrals bear fruit throughout the duration of the fruiting season. It is usually recommended to go for a June bearing if you have a smaller area.
How to construct the Raised Beds?
It is suggested that the beds for your strawberry plants be 6-12 inches high to facilitate good drainage and root penetration. You can use a resistant type of wood such as cedar or redwood or leave a wooden surface, beds can be of length, however, they shouldn’t be too wide to match the center i.e. 3-4 feet is adequate.
There must be 2-3 feet of space between beds for movement and ease of touching the beds during cleaning.
Planting and Growing Strawberries
Choose a Sunny Location, Strawberries being fruiting plants, require 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily, therefore, you should place the bed in a location where the sun is directly overhead in the mid-morning or late afternoon, also ensure no other branches of the trees are too close as it may cast a shadow to strawberry plant.
Preparing the Soil, Organic matter and good drainage is important for strawberry plants to grow better and mature. Strawberries prefer a soil type that is fertile, well-drained loam with a soil pH of 5.5-6.8, with strawberries performing best in moderately acidic to slightly acidic conditions.
For a strawberry bed, dig in 2-4 inches of compost or well-rotted manure at least two or three weeks prior to planting, this will help enhance the growth of strawberries since the soil used is enriched in nutrients that are required for the proper growth.
Plant the Strawberries, Create a hole with a size that will be enough to accommodate the rootball of the plant, for bare root plants, lay the roots on a flat surface to make the necessary arrangements before putting them into the ground at the same depth that it was in the nursery. I found that it is best to space plants 12-15 inches apart if you want to create rows.
Water after planting, Irrigate the plants generously and maintain the watering frequency, at least one inch of water a week, without overdoing it. Adding mulch to the soil can assist in the conservation of water within the soil.
Best time to Plant
Before planting the strawberries, you need to wait for a good time to plant them, as it is recommended to plant in early spring or during the fall season. Strawberries are best planted in either spring or autumn depending on the climate of the area in which you reside.
How to take care of strawberries that have been planted in raised beds?
The proper care of strawberries in raised beds therefore requires frequent watering, feeding with organic manure, and guarding strawberry plants from pests and frosts.
Watering, Water once a week and make sure that the soil is soaked with 1-2 inches of water. Dont wet the leaves as it can lead to disease, whereas reduce watering after harvest.
Fertilizing, Plants should be fed every three to four weeks during the growing season with a balanced organic fertilizer.
Pruning, Prune off the oldest leaves as frequently as possible to improve the amount of air circulating around the plants to minimize the disease. After the fruiting has occurred, when there is more growth of the plant they should be pruned using the pruning shears and dead or damaged leaves and plants should be removed.
Mulching, You can use 2-3 inches of organic material around the plant once the ground becomes frozen in the fall, doing this helps to protect plants, and prevent weeds from growing.
Pests and Disease
Some of the common pests could be found on raised beds including slugs, snails, birds, and strawberry clippers. Many of them can be easily handpicked while others can be trapped. It is essential to avoid trapped moisture on the foilage and maintain space between the plants to have proper ventilation.
Harvesting the Strawberries
If you are picking berries, take only those berries that are bright in color but not too ripe. For high-yielding varieties, harvest the fruits once they are fully ripe and every 72 hours if the plant bears fruits heavily, this is to maintain freshness as the caps are attached when the berries are being harvested from their stems. It is best when fresh but may be preserved in ways that include canning freezing or even jam-making.
FAQs
1. When is the best time to plant strawberries in raised beds?
The best time to plant strawberries is in early spring whereas, for warmer climates, late fall can also be a good time to plant.
2. Why should I grow strawberries in raised beds?
Raised beds provide many benefits including better soil quality, good drainage, improved pest management, and increased accessibility, which leads to healthier plants and higher yields.
3. How deep should the raised bed be for strawberries?
A raised bed for strawberries should be at least 8-12 inches deep, this ensures enough space for the roots to grow and gives proper drainage.
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