How to Care for Strawberries in the Heat: Secrets to Success for Juicy Berries

Summer heat can be a real challenge for gardeners, especially when it comes to growing strawberries.

Strawberries, a delicate crop that is demanding in terms of growing conditions, need special attention on hot days.

An expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", agronomist and landscape designer Anastasia Kovrizhnykh told how to act in such a situation.

To keep the harvest juicy and healthy, it is necessary to follow several important rules for caring for strawberries in high temperature conditions.

Watering and soil moisture

In hot weather, the key aspect of strawberry care is proper watering. Regular and abundant watering is especially important in the morning and evening hours to retain maximum moisture in the soil.

Strawberries should be watered at the roots, avoiding moisture getting on the leaves and berries to prevent fungal diseases.

In addition to watering, it is useful to use mulching. Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil, protecting it from drying out and overheating.

Straw, grass clippings, or special garden coverings can be used as mulch. This approach not only retains moisture, but also prevents the growth of weeds that can compete with strawberries for water and nutrients.

Sun protection

The hot sun can cause significant damage to plants, especially during midday hours when solar activity is at its maximum.

To protect strawberries from overheating, you can use shade nets or special canopies. These structures will help reduce the intensity of sunlight and protect plants from burns.

It is important to remember that the cover should not completely block access to light, as strawberries need sunlight for normal photosynthesis and fruit formation. The best option is light, translucent materials that create diffused shade.

Feeding and nutrition

During hot weather, strawberries require additional nutrition to ensure healthy growth and harvest.

Poor soils often result in low crop yields. There are two approaches to solving this problem.

• Enriching the soil structure: adding organic fertilizers such as compost or humus helps improve the soil structure, making it looser and increasing its moisture capacity.

• Providing nutrients: the use of complex mineral fertilizers rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium provides plants with the necessary elements for active growth and abundant fruiting.

The combination of these approaches will create optimal conditions for plant development and obtaining a rich harvest.

Organic fertilizers such as compost or humus act as "green builders" for the soil. They, like sponges, improve its structure, making it loose and breathable, facilitating better moisture retention.

This is especially important during dry periods when the soil dries out quickly. Thanks to organic matter, plants receive gradual and long-term nutrition without being subjected to stress from sudden changes in the soil composition.

Disease prevention

In conditions of heat and high humidity, the risk of developing fungal diseases increases significantly.

To prevent diseases, it is necessary to regularly inspect the plants and remove affected leaves and berries. It is also important to ensure good ventilation of the bushes, removing excess shoots and leaves to improve air circulation.

The use of biological fungicides and folk remedies, such as garlic or onion infusion, will help protect plants from diseases without the use of chemicals. Regular use of such products helps maintain plant health and produce an environmentally friendly harvest.

Soil care

In addition to watering and mulching, an important element of caring for strawberries in the heat is loosening the soil.

Regular loosening improves soil aeration and provides oxygen access to the roots. This is especially important in hot weather, when the soil quickly becomes compacted and loses its structure.

Loosening should be done carefully so as not to damage the roots of the plants. The optimal time for loosening is early morning or evening, when the air temperature is lower and the plants are less exposed to stress.

In addition, regular loosening helps control weeds that can compete with strawberries for water and nutrients.

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