How and how to cover strawberries for the winter from frost

It is best to cover strawberries for the winter with agrofiber or other non-woven material. In this case, it is possible to create an optimal microclimate, and the protective layer is not exposed to wind or precipitation. Shelter should be started after the first frost – usually this is the middle or second half of October.

Do I need to cover strawberries for the winter

Strawberries must be covered for the winter in almost all regions, with the exception of the Krasnodar Territory, the North Caucasus and other southern regions. It is not necessary to count on the fact that there will be enough snow cover, because:

1. Winters can be snowy.
2. The weather forecast is not always accurate.
3. In winter, in the middle lane, the Volga region, in the North-West, there may be short-term thaws, the snow will melt, and then frost will come – strawberries may die.

There are other reasons why culture is recommended to be covered for the winter:

1. Soil drying up. At the beginning of winter, snow has not yet fallen, but there are strong winds that have a detrimental effect on the plant, as if drying it and the soil.
2. Bulging – Newly planted strawberry seedlings can rise due to soil freezing (the volume of ice is greater than the volume of water). Then the roots become bare and freeze, the bushes often die.
3. Root freezing – if you do not cover the strawberries for the winter, then even a relatively mild frost (below -10 ° C), which lasts for several days, will lead to the death of the root system. In the spring, it will be difficult for such plants to recover.

Strawberries are covered in all regions except the south of Our Country

Therefore, it is worth warming the crop for the winter in any case, even if the variety is frost-resistant and the weather is expected to be snowy. This is not so difficult to do – the main thing is to choose the right covering material and lay a layer of a certain height. In the south, shelter is not necessary, but mulching the roots with dry leaves and sawdust does not hurt.

At this time, there will certainly be return frosts that can damage the branches. So you need to look at the plants. If a quarter of the seedlings have new shoots, the protective layer can be removed.

When to cover the berry

You need to cover strawberries for the winter just in time, focusing on the weather:

1. If you cover too early, during the Indian summer, the plants will overheat, which will have a bad effect on their development (they can rot). The soil will warm up worse, and then cool faster.
2. If you cover for the winter already during frosts, then the roots may freeze slightly and not survive the more severe frosts in December – January.

Strawberries should be covered for the winter after the first frost.

Autumn is too different even in the same region. Therefore, it is difficult to name specific dates – it is necessary to focus on the weather forecast. The best time is the second half of November – the beginning of December, when negative temperatures are set both day and night. If this weather lasts 7-10 days, you need to immediately cover the strawberries for the winter.

At the same time, on the eve of laying the protective material, the bed and bushes must be prepared:

1. Remove debris, branches, weed thoroughly.
2. Cut off any wilted leaves on strawberries.
3. If there are affected bushes, carry out a total treatment with Bordeaux liquid, Fitosporin or another fungicide.
4. Pour warm water with the addition of wood ash (100 g per 10 l).
5. Loosen carefully after a few days.
6. Wait for the right moment and cover the landing for the winter.

When to cover strawberries for the winter in Siberia

In Siberia, as in the northern regions, shelter is the earliest to start. The first frosts here may fall at the end of September. But there is no need to rush, because in October, as a rule, Indian summer or a short-term thaw comes. Stable negative temperatures are established in the middle or second half of October: it is at this time that you can cover the plants.

When to hide in the suburbs

In the Moscow region and other regions of the middle lane, you can cover strawberries for the winter no earlier than the beginning of November. As a rule, positive temperature during the day and even at night persists throughout October, Indian summer can be late. Therefore, the creation of a protective layer is started in early November (less often at the end of October).

When to cover in the Leningrad region

The climate in the Leningrad region and other regions of the North-West is characterized by high humidity and an abundance of precipitation. Therefore, gardeners can focus on approximately the same dates as in the middle lane – i.e. at the beginning of November. If you cover the strawberries early, they will overheat, and in winter they may freeze due to the formation of ice crystals on the stem and leaves.

In the Northwest, strawberries can be covered at the end of October

When to shelter in the Urals

The climate of the Urals is somewhat milder compared to the Siberian, although early autumn frosts in early October and even late September are not uncommon here. Therefore, it is recommended to cover strawberries around the middle of October (no later than the end of the month). In the weather forecast, it is important to monitor not only the state of the air, but also the temperature of the soil.

How to cover strawberries for the winter from frost

There are several types of covering materials – natural and artificial. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages that should be considered when choosing.

Covering strawberries with agrofibre for the winter

Agrofibre is one of the most suitable materials for covering strawberries for the winter. It has a number of advantages:

• affordable price;
• the possibility of using on large plantations, where natural materials are not enough;
• allows plants to breathe;
• creates an optimal microclimate;
• does not attract mice, insects;
• does not block light.

The only negative is the laboriousness of the work. For shelter, an arc frame must be installed along the rows with beds at a height of 25–30 cm from the ground or more (it is necessary to ensure that the agrofibre does not come into contact with the bushes). If you cover strawberries without mounting the frame, it can freeze in winter: the desired microclimate is formed due to the air “cushion”.

Instead, you can use other artificial analogues – wrap, lutrasil, spandex.

Is it possible to cover strawberries with sawdust

Sawdust is one of the best options to securely cover strawberries for the winter. They are available, do not scatter in the wind due to getting wet, retain heat well and disinfect the soil, saturate it with organic substances.

To create a protective layer, it is better to take rotted (last year’s) sawdust. If there is only fresh material, it is laid on a flat surface and watered, covered with a film on top. Then they wait 2 weeks, after which you can cover strawberry plantings with sawdust.

Needles, spruce branches, sawdust are the best natural materials for crop mulching

Straw, hay

You can cover strawberries with hay or straw, but then the layer should reach a height of 20–25 cm. This is an affordable material that is mainly suitable for regions with relatively warm winters. The fact is that it does not hold heat and snow well, it gets wet and freezes. Mice and other rodents often make nests in straw. Therefore, in most cases it is better to consider another option.

Leaves

Dry foliage is an affordable material, but it is only suitable for regions with mild and snowy winters – the North-West, the middle lane, the Volga region. In addition, the leaves should be carefully examined for spots and other signs of fungal infections. Another point – if possible, it is better to use the leaves of oak, poplar, horse chestnut. This is a heavy foliage that will not be blown away by the wind.

spruce branches

Lapnik is an optimal covering material that holds snow well, provides a normal microclimate even in frosty winters, thanks to which all strawberry plantings are preserved. But it is not always possible to find spruce branches in large quantities. Usually it is used in private farms of the Urals and Siberia.

If you use it for several years in a row, it is recommended to regularly close up wood ash in the fall (100–200 g per 1 m²). Also, once every 4–5 years, slaked lime can be applied (100–150 g per 1 m²).

How to cover strawberries for the winter

When sheltering strawberries for the winter, you should follow a few rules:

1. There should be enough material – excess is better than lack.
2. It is necessary to cover totally all landings. Winter-hardy varieties should also be insulated.
3. Shelter should be not only the bushes themselves, but also the aisles. Here the soil also freezes heavily in winter.
4. Care should be taken to ensure that the material does not scatter due to the wind, and that it holds the snow well.
5. The height of the layer depends on the material and the region, but it should not be lower than 10 cm.

How to cover strawberries for the winter in Siberia

In Siberia, bushes are recommended to be covered with agrofibre and other non-woven materials (with pre-installation of the frame). You can use spruce branches, sawdust needles. The layer must be at least 15–20 cm high (it is allowed to mix different components). If possible, it is better to enclose the bed with boards around the perimeter, since in winter in the northern regions there are strong winds and an abundance of snow.

In Siberia, you can use agrofibre, spruce branches, sawdust for shelter

How to cover strawberries for the winter in the suburbs

You can cover plantings in the Moscow region and other regions of the middle lane with sawdust, agrofibre. The height of the layer is 10–15 cm. For additional retention of snow, corn stalks are laid in the aisles, you can take spruce and raspberry branches.

How to cover strawberries for the winter in the Urals

In the Urals, the shelter technique is about the same as in Siberia. A layer of natural materials at least 15 cm high. It is optimal to use agrofibre, securely fastening the frame (winters are often snowy and windy).

Recommendations and common mistakes

Strawberries are a rather demanding crop, so even experienced gardeners often make mistakes when sheltering for the winter. Therefore, it is important to follow exactly the recommendations that have been proven in practice for many years:

1. Do not rush to shelter: in autumn the weather is unstable, negative temperatures are replaced by positive ones. Landmark – the first frost, lasting several days in a row.
2. Of the materials, it is best to choose agrofibre, which you can cover after installing the frame. This is the most reliable and efficient way. Just throwing straw or foliage of unknown origin is a mistake for novice gardeners.
3. Even the best material is exposed to wind and heavy rainfall. Therefore, in regions with snowy and windy winters, the installation of wooden planks to protect the mulch is required. As for the agrofibre, it is enough just to tie it to the supports.
4. No need to rush to remove the covering material. It is usually appropriate to do this in early or even mid-April.

Conclusion

It is necessary to cover strawberries for the winter in all regions, except for the southern regions. For large farms, it is better to use agrofiber or other artificial material. Small beds can be mulched with sawdust, spruce branches, needles, laying a layer at least 10 cm high.