Hibernate hanging strawberries - How to do it in 3 steps
The hanging strawberry itself does not exist. In fact, it is Strawberry varieties with extra long tendrils that dangle seductively from the balcony box or the traffic light with their sweet load. Everbearing monthly strawberries are best suited for this cultivation. As a result, hanging strawberries are just as hardy and perennial as you know them from their conspecifics in the garden bed. How to overwinter hanging strawberries on the balcony in three steps:
also read
- Hibernate strawberry traffic lights - a guide for balcony gardeners
- Can tuberous begonias overwinter in pots or boxes?
- Skinning strawberries, for example, promotes fruit size and yield
Fall pruning - how to prune properly
A strong pruning sets the course so that hanging strawberries can cope with winter hardships. In the end, only the mother plant should be left. The hanging daughter tendrils do not overwinter. How to properly cut hanging strawberries before winter:
- Cut off any hanging cuttings
- Clean off dried up leaves and remains of flowers
- Caution: Do not cut or damage the heart leaves of the mother plant
The best time to cut is at the end of the harvest season, in November at the latest.
Organically fertilize the mother plant - this is how it works
An organic nutrient supply guarantees carefree snacking pleasure. For this reason, strawberries in the bed and on the balcony receive their main fertilization in autumn. In contrast to fast-acting, mineral ones Complete fertilizers Natural fertilizers take some time before the nutrients are available to the plants. So fertilize You hanging strawberries right:
- The best time is after the autumn pruning
- Fertilize hanging strawberries preferably liquid with worm tea or organic berry fertilizer
- Alternatively, fertilize strawberries on the balcony with vermicompost or sieved Compost soil
So that hanging strawberries can absorb the nutrients well, please pour in small sips. The trimmed mother plant only evaporates a little water and should not be in the with wet feet Hibernation walk.
Winter protection for traffic lights and boxes - tips
In the last step before winter, hanging strawberries are protected from freezing frost. A change of location is advantageous so that the blazing winter sun does not dry out the plants. How to do it right:
- Hanging strawberries move to a shady, sheltered location
- Place the box or bucket on an insulating surface such as wood or styrofoam
- Cover planters with fleece, bubble wrap or jute
- Cover the substrate with straw, bark mulch, autumn leaves or sawdust
The strawberry plant itself only receives a breathable fleece as frost protection at temperatures below -10 ° Celsius, which is removed again when the temperature rises.
Tips
After two to three hibernation periods, hanging strawberries are exhausted. Instead of buying a new strawberry plant, you can easily grow a young plant from offshoots. For this purpose, place a pot with substrate next to the planter. Put a healthy, vital Offshoot on the ground, press the tendril and water. The connection to the mother plant is only separated when its own root system has developed on the offshoot.
