Pruning strawberries in autumn + video

At each summer cottage, gardeners are trying to allocate space for strawberry ridges. It is very important for beginners to know the nuances of growing sweet berries. Therefore, one of the stages that gardeners are interested in is pruning strawberries in the fall. This is due to the fact that there is no consensus on this topic yet. Some summer residents believe that pruning strawberries after harvesting is very useful for the plant, while others do not see much point in this.

The best solution for doubting lovers of garden strawberries would be the separation of agricultural ridges. On some, it is worth carrying out autumn pruning, while others should be left unchanged. And then decide whether pruning strawberry leaves is important, and whether the plant should be subjected to this procedure annually.

Benefits of pruning strawberry bushes

To decide whether to prune strawberry leaves after harvest, one should consider the arguments of opponents and supporters of the method.

Those who deny the need for pruning believe that:

1. Leaves are needed for the process of photosynthesis and removal reduces the ability of the bushes to “breathe”. Therefore, preparing for winter for the plant becomes more difficult.
2. Pruning for pest control will not give the desired result. They calmly persist in the soil and on its surface, then move on to new leaves.
3. There is a possibility of damage to the generative and vegetative buds on the bush, which will lead to a decrease in yield for the next year.
4. Pruning strawberries for the winter causes stress in the plant, which slows down the growth and formation of berries on strawberry bushes.

The pruning proponents’ arguments go like this:

1. Pruning is very useful, especially if signs of disease are seen on the bushes. This will prevent the spread of the disease. As soon as the crop is harvested, after three weeks the leaves are removed, and the plants are disinfected and fed.
2. After fruiting, the old foliage gradually dies off and becomes useless. Photosynthesis occurs in new young leaves, at the same time fruit buds are laid for the next year. Autumn pruning makes it possible to take care of the future harvest in advance.
3. After pruning strawberries, the resistance of bushes to cold increases. The procedure helps plants to overwinter and retain the ability to bear fruit next year. This can be easily checked in areas where strawberry plantings are divided according to agrotechnical measures. Compare the condition of the bushes with and without pruned leaves, during a cold snap.

   

4. Any rejuvenation of the bush is a plus. At this point, the roots are strengthened, because nutrients do not enter the leaves, but remain in the root system.
5. Pruning will not bring much harm, because the reproduction of garden strawberries occurs with a mustache.

You will do the rest of the agrotechnical measures (preventive spraying, loosening, top dressing), regardless of whether you cut the strawberries after fruiting or not. Caring for strawberries after harvest also requires compliance with certain rules.

Pruning strawberries in autumn without errors

In order for the whole pruning process to take place harmoniously and without problems, you should not experiment. Many gardeners grow garden strawberries and are willing to share their experience. Therefore, following the recommendations will ensure a good result and a minimum of hassle.

Before you start pruning strawberries in the fall, pay full attention to harvesting.

The next step is to clear the ridges of debris, weeds and loosen.

Then assess the condition of the strawberry bushes. It includes:

• the degree of growth of bushes during the period of fruiting;
• the number of dry and damaged leaves on the bush;
• the presence of diseases and pests;
• analysis of the yield of varieties;
• the need to transplant garden strawberries to a new place of residence.

The full amount of information will allow you to trim correctly. The optimal time for this event is the end of August or the beginning of September. It depends on the fruiting period of the varieties, climatic conditions and does not apply to remontant strawberries.

What to pay attention to when trimming strawberries after fruiting?

First of all, on the correctness of the operation itself. Cut strawberries, maintaining certain requirements. For this:

1. Stock up on sharp gardening tools. Secateurs, scissors or a garden knife will do. The sharper the tool is sharpened, the less harm you can do to the strawberry bush.

   

2. Cut only leaf blades. Petioles up to 10 cm in size leave on the bush. So, you will reliably protect the growing point of strawberries from damage and save the future harvest of sweet berries.

   

At the same time as trimming the leaves, take care of the mustache. If you need a bush for propagation, leave the first outlet. Remove the rest of the whiskers so that the plant does not expend its strength on them. If the propagation of the bush is not included in your plans, remove everything. Cut the mustache to the root; it is highly undesirable to cut them off with your hands. You can damage the bush and its roots.

The main stages of strawberry care after autumn pruning

After trimming strawberry leaves, water the plants and gently loosen the soil around the bush. The depth of loosening should be at least 10 cm. In order not to damage the roots, loosen the aisles.

The next step is to water with a solution of potassium permanganate. If signs of disease or damage are seen on the strawberry bushes, you will have to add a Bordeaux mixture or other fungicide treatment.

After an important autumn event for the growth and development of strawberries, it is necessary to feed the bushes. Gardeners use various substances:

• dry manure;
• mature compost;
• wood ash (without combination with fresh manure);
• biohumus;
• any complex mineral composition;
• Ammofoska.

Experienced gardeners advise to feed the strawberry garden after pruning at least three times. First, liquid nitrogen fertilizers are applied immediately after the autumn rejuvenation of strawberries.

The second feeding is carried out in two weeks with a mixture of organic matter, phosphorus and potassium.

The third time they feed strawberries in mid-September with a solution of mullein or compost infusion.

Important during this period and watering. Moisturize the ridge every other day. Regularity will help young foliage grow faster and protect strawberries from frost.

Summer residents who do this procedure annually can say with confidence that even novice gardeners can do the strawberry pruning scheme. And caring for garden strawberries after pruning is much easier.

And for whom pruning strawberries is difficult, the video of experienced gardeners will be a good help:

In addition, listen to the advice of experienced summer residents.

Useful tips for gardeners on pruning strawberries in the fall

Don’t get hung up on deadlines. It is important that strawberries cease to bear fruit.

Choose a dry but not hot day for pruning. Best of all, schedule the procedure in the morning or evening so that direct sunlight does not injure the strawberry bushes. A rainy day is also not the best choice. It will be more difficult for you to get a quality pruning, and moisture makes it easier for fungal infections to spread.

It is important to keep the base of the bush, which will allow new shoots to form.

If strawberry bushes have time to build up leaf mass before the onset of cold weather, then they are not afraid of winter. For reliability, cover the ridges with spruce branches, spunbond or other covering material.

For beginner gardeners, it is very useful to watch a video of pruning strawberries:

or

So, it is easier to understand the cropping technique and notice useful nuances.

Having completed a qualitatively useful procedure, you can save your favorite variety of sweet berries and ensure yourself a decent harvest for the next year.