Planting strawberries in the raised bed: the basics

If you plant strawberries in the raised bed, you can look forward to an early and high yield. The comprehensive guide shows which factors have to be taken into account.

What are raised beds?

A raised bed can be framed in stone, wood, metal or plastic. The soil in the vessel or frame is at a greater distance from the ground. In addition, different layers are usually filled in to ensure the supply of nutrients and generate heat. This results in several advantages. These include, among others:

• Planting or sowing can be done earlier
• Working in the bed and harvesting are easier and more back-friendly
• Strawberries in the raised bed bloom earlier
• multiple harvest possible
• Protection against pests such as snails
• Earth can be exchanged more easily

The substrate in raised beds is usually eight degrees warmer than the ground. With a suitable structure, it is therefore possible to plant or sow the strawberries very early in the year. Due to the warmth, young plants can be put outdoors as early as February or March. Buds and fruits are also formed earlier. This makes it possible to enjoy strawberries from your own garden very early in the year.

Location

For a good yield and healthy, long-lasting plants, the raised bed should be placed in a protected, warm and sunny location.

Substrate layers

The filling of the raised bed is built up in layers. It consists of four different layers:

• Layer 1: The first layer is used for drainage. It therefore consists of coarse gravel, pottery shards or rubble. It is covered with a few centimeters of topsoil or normal garden soil.
  
• Layer 2: Twigs, branches and pieces of roots should be present in this position. They are mixed with soil and serve as a long-term supply of nutrients. This is the case because the components decompose only slowly.
  
• Layer 3: This location is set up as a rapidly rotting compost. Leaves and other green cuttings are ideally suited for this. They are mixed with earth in equal parts.
  
• Layer 4: Sand, vegetable soil, topsoil, rotted manure and ripe compost are mixed together in equal parts.

Tip: The layers should each have the same thickness. So calculate in advance how high the respective substrate has to be filled or applied.

sowing

One possibility to grow strawberries in the raised bed is to sow them directly in the bed or to pre-germinate in the house. This can be done as early as the end of January or February. The seeds can be introduced outdoors or in raised beds from around March.
In this case, however, appropriate protection is required. This can be achieved with insulating covers.

Planting

Young plants can be bought or grown earlier between March and May or July and August to be planted. A real yield can no longer be expected with late planting. However, there is enough time to prepare the crops for winter and harden them. This means that the yield in the following year can be even higher.

to water

A sufficient supply of water is important in any case. It is ideal to use soft water. Therefore, the following options are available:

• stale tap water
• Aquarium water
• Rainwater
• Pond water

The earth should never dry out but also not show any waterlogging. In summer it may therefore be necessary to water once a day or even more frequently.

Note: If you use water from a pond or aquarium, it must not be chemically treated. Also keep in mind that it already contains nutrients and thus also contributes to fertilization.

Fertilize

It is not necessary to fertilize strawberries in the raised bed in the first two years. The already contained compost and green waste initially ensure the supply of nutrients. If aquarium or pond water is also used for watering, additional fertilization can initially be dispensed with. From the third or fourth year onwards, however, many are fertilizing.

An organic slow-release fertilizer is recommended for fertilization in spring. The required minerals are gradually released by this and supply the plants for the entire season. In order to continue to provide the plants with sufficient nutrients, additional fertilization should be carried out in autumn. Here, compost and manure are worked into the upper layer of soil. Similar to the slow release fertilizer, the individual components decompose over time and are only then ready for absorption by the strawberry plants. For this reason, these agents can be used in autumn without any problems, without disturbing the hibernation of the plants.
When fertilizing, you should also consider a few factors. These include:

• Work solid fertilizer into the soil
• Put liquid fertilizer directly into the irrigation water
• do not use mineral fertilizers
• pour floating after the dose

Note: These measures are critical to avoid chemical burns to the roots. If the yield decreases despite regular and correct fertilization, the substrate should be replaced.

harvest

There is no general answer to when you can harvest the strawberries in the raised bed. Various criteria are responsible for this. These are:

• Climate or weather
• Care conditions
• Variety of strawberries

Tip: In order to be able to harvest fresh strawberries throughout the season, you should choose different varieties, each with a different harvest time. This not only creates a variety in taste, but also increases the yield and distributes it more evenly over the season.

Waste

Even if certain pests, such as mice and snails, do not pose a threat in the raised bed, feeding marks or diseases can still occur. In addition, leaves can dry up or become kinked. In these cases, waste is required. Only parts of the plant that have been damaged, dried up, withered or infected with pathogens or parasites need to be removed. In these cases, the clippings should be made promptly, as the sections represent a possible entry point for germs and pests.
The following factors must be taken into account:

• Perform if possible on dry days without blazing sun
• use clean cutting tools
• use sharp knives or scissors

Note: In the event of diseases or pests, you should not dispose of the clippings on the compost. It is better to dispose of this in the household waste or to destroy it.

wintering

Just like on a normal, level bed, you can also overwinter the strawberries in a raised bed. It is beneficial if you still apply additional protection. This can consist of garden fleece, straw or individual covers. This protection is particularly advisable for young plants.

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