Straw - natural protection against cold and dirt
For an environmentally conscious hobby gardener, no artificial or chemical materials come through the garden gate. That's a good thing, because Mother Nature provides an abundance of biological tools. For the frost-sensitive strawberry plants, straw and hay are at the top of the list of effective tools to protect the shallow root system from frostbite. How to use it correctly:
- under the strawberry plants in the bed and Flower box Spread a 2-3 centimeter thick layer of straw
- immediately after the plantingbut at the latest after flowering
- every spring Mulch(€ 568.77 at Amazon *) work into the soil and distribute fresh straw and hay
also read
- How should strawberries be watered correctly?
- Properly care for and overwinter strawberries in the garden
- What should a location for strawberries be like?
The stable, dried grass protects the strawberries from damage in several ways. Late ground frosts do not penetrate, direct sunlight does not cause drought stress and the fruits close to the ground remain appetizingly clean.
Suitable alternatives to covering with straw
Straw and hay are by no means the only cover for strawberry plants. The following variants have also proven to be practical:
- Bark mulch: keeps the earth moist and warm and the strawberries clean
- Sawdust of untreated wood: at the same time repel snails
- Wood wool: the ideal cover in pots and planters
- Fir fronds: they are still useful after pruning
Whichever variant of a cover is used; Under no circumstances should the underlay remain on the floor for long periods of time when it is soaked. Develop within a short period of time Fungal diseases, Mold and rot. You should therefore check the material regularly and, if necessary, replace it in good time.
Safely repel pecking birds
Since straw, hay and other biological coverings do not protect the strawberry plants from hungry birds, another variant comes into play in this case. High-quality bird protection nets with a mesh size of 7 × 7 mm are narrow enough that the animals do not get caught in them. At the same time, the material is so light that it can rest on the strawberries.
Tips & Tricks
Already during the sowing of strawberries, a cover is effective in germination. In this regard, the natural silicate vermiculite has established itself excellently as a useful seed aid. The tiny platelets protect the seeds from blazing sun, drought and washout, while at the same time allowing enough light to pass through to the seeds.
