Content
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 in the middle or second half of October.
Do I need to cover strawberries for the winter
Strawberries should 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, since:
- Winters can be with little snow.
- The weather forecast is not always accurate.
- 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 - the strawberries may die.
There are other reasons why the culture is recommended to be covered for the winter:
- Drying the soil. At the beginning of winter, the snow has not yet fallen, but there are strong winds that have a destructive effect on the plant, as if drying it and the soil.
- Bulging - Newly planted strawberry seedlings may rise due to freezing of the soil (the volume of ice is greater than the volume of water). Then the roots become bare and freeze, the bushes often die.
- Freezing of the roots - if you do not cover the strawberries for the winter, then even a relatively weak 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 harvested in all regions, except for the south of Russia.
Therefore, it is worth insulating the culture 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 a suitable 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 will not hurt.
At this time, there will probably be recurrent frosts that can damage the branches. Therefore, 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 the strawberries for the winter just on time, focusing on the weather:
- Covering too early, during the Indian summer, will cause the plants to rot, which will have a negative effect on their development (they may rot). The soil will warm up worse, and then cool down faster.
- If you cover for the winter already during frosts, the roots may freeze and not survive more severe frosts in December - January.
Strawberries should be covered for the winter after the first frost.
Autumn can be 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 considered to be the second half of November - early December, when temperatures are below zero during the day and at night. If this weather lasts 7-10 days, you need to immediately cover the strawberries for the winter.
In this case, on the eve of laying the protective material, the garden bed and bushes must be prepared:
- Remove debris, branches, weed thoroughly.
- Trim all withered leaves on the strawberries.
- If there are affected bushes, carry out a total treatment with Bordeaux liquid, "Fitosporin" or another fungicide.
- Drizzle with warm water with the addition of wood ash (100 g per 10 l).
- Loosen gently after a few days.
- Wait for the right moment and cover the planting for the winter.
When to cover strawberries for the winter in Siberia
In Siberia, as in the northern regions, shelter is started first. The first frosts here can fall at the end of September. But there is no need to rush, because in October, as a rule, comes Indian summer or a short thaw. Stable negative temperatures are established in the middle or second half of October: it is at this time that the plants can be covered.
When to hide in the suburbs
In the Moscow region and other regions of the middle lane, you can hide strawberries for the winter not earlier than the beginning of November. As a rule, positive temperatures during the day and even at night remain throughout October; Indian summer can be late. Therefore, the creation of a protective layer begins in the first days of 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 be guided by approximately the same time frame 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 sheltered at the end of October
When to hide in the Urals
The climate of the Urals is somewhat milder compared to the Siberian one, although early autumn frosts in early October and even late September are not uncommon here. Therefore, it is recommended to cover the 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 shelter 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.
Shelter strawberries with agrofibre for the winter
Agrofibre is one of the most suitable materials for covering strawberries for the winter. Differs in a number of advantages:
- affordable price;
- the possibility of using on large plantations where natural materials are scarce;
- allows plants to breathe;
- creates an optimal microclimate;
- does not attract mice, insects;
- does not interfere with the access of light.
The only drawback 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 installing the frame, it can freeze in winter: the required microclimate is formed due to the air "cushion".
Instead, you can use other artificial analogs - wraps, lutrasil, spandex.
Is it possible to cover strawberries with sawdust
Sawdust is one of the best options to cover strawberries for the winter. They are accessible, 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 poured with water, covered with a film on top. Then they wait 2 weeks, after which the strawberry plantings can be covered with sawdust.
Needles, spruce branches, sawdust are the best natural materials for mulching crops
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 suitable mainly for regions with relatively warm winters. The fact is that it does not hold heat and snow well, it gets wet and freezes. The straw is often used to make nests for mice and other rodents. Therefore, in most cases, it is better to consider another option.
Leaves
Dry foliage is an affordable material, but it is suitable only for regions with mild and snowy winters - the North-West, the middle lane, the Volga region. In addition, the leaves should be carefully inspected for spots and other signs of fungal infections. Another point - if possible, it is better to use the leaves of oak, poplar, horse chestnut. These are 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 a lot of spruce branches. Usually it is used in private farms in the Urals and Siberia.
If you use it for several years in a row, then it is recommended to regularly cover up wood ash in the fall (100-200 g per 1 m2). Also, once every 4-5 years, you can add slaked lime (100-150 g per 1 m2).
How to properly cover strawberries for the winter
When sheltering strawberries for the winter, you should adhere to several rules:
- There should be enough material - an excess is better than a lack.
- You need to completely cover all the landings. Winter-hardy varieties should also be insulated.
- It is necessary to cover not only the bushes themselves, but also the aisles. Here the soil also freezes strongly in winter.
- Care should be taken that the material does not scatter due to the wind and that it holds the snow well.
- The height of the layer depends on the material and the region, but it should not be lower than 10 cm.
How to properly cover strawberries for the winter in Siberia
In Siberia, it is recommended to cover the bushes with agrofibre and other non-woven materials (with the preliminary installation of the frame). You can use spruce branches, sawdust needles. The layer should be at least 15–20 cm in height (it is allowed to mix different components). If possible, it is better to enclose the garden with boards around the perimeter, since in winter in the northern regions there is a strong wind and an abundance of snow.
In Siberia, for shelter, you can use agrofibre, spruce branches, sawdust
How to properly cover strawberries for the winter in the Moscow region
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 branches of spruce, raspberries.
How to cover strawberries for the winter in the Urals
In the Urals, the technique of shelter is about the same as in Siberia. A layer of natural materials at least 15 cm high. It is optimal to use agrofibre, securely fixing 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 hiding for the winter. Therefore, it is important to strictly follow the recommendations that have been proven in practice for many years:
- Do not rush to shelter: in autumn the weather is unstable, negative temperatures are replaced by positive ones. The landmark is the first frost lasting several days in a row.
- Of the materials, it is best to choose agrofibre, which can be covered after installing the frame. This is the most reliable and efficient way. Just throwing straw or foliage of unknown origin is a mistake of novice summer residents.
- Even the best material is exposed to wind and heavy rainfall. Therefore, in regions with snowy and windy winters, the installation of wooden planks is required to protect the mulch. As for the agrofibre, it is enough to simply tie it to the supports.
- There is 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 agrofibre or other artificial material. Small beds can be mulched with sawdust, spruce branches, pine needles, laying a layer at least 10 cm high.
