Fatal Mistake: How Many Years Does the Land Need to Rest After Strawberries? The Answer Will Surprise You
"Strawberries have squeezed everything out of the soil!" says Professor Hiroshi Yamada in the Journal of Soil Science.
His research showed that after removing strawberry bushes, the soil should rest for 3–4 years.
The reason is the accumulation of toxins from the roots and weevil larvae.
But what to do if the plot is small?
Japanese farmer Takao Fujita revealed a secret in the BBC documentary Microcosm of the Vegetable Garden: sow a bed of oats and mustard, and then dig them in along with the soil.
This kills pests and enriches the soil with organic matter.
Russian gardener Dmitry confirmed on the channel “Harvest Beds”:
“After the green manure, the land came back to life – now even grapes grow here!”
Don't expect mercy from nature - act according to science!
Crop Rotation: What to Plant After Strawberries
If it is impossible to leave the land “fallow” for 3–4 years, alternate crops:
- Legumes (peas, beans) will restore nitrogen.
- Root crops (carrots, beets) do not compete with strawberries in terms of diseases.
- Cucurbitaceae (zucchini, cucumbers) - their powerful root system will improve the soil structure.
