Beds for strawberries – how to do it yourself do-it-yourself tiered, smart, tall or warm

The content of the article

• How to choose a place to plant strawberries
• Type of Strawberry Plantation
• Soil preparation
• Sizes of classic strawberry beds
• Solid carpet
• Two line ribbon
• In three lines
• In five lines
• Vertical beds
• From plastic pipes
• Pyramid-shaped multi-story structures
• Tire Tower
• Hanging bags
• Warm strawberry beds
• Wireframe
• Bulk
• Combined
• High beds
• Advantages and disadvantages
• How to choose the right size
• Mobile (portable) designs
• Types of covering material
• Organic
• Modern inorganic materials

The key to effective protection against weeds, pests, diseases and a rich harvest of berry crops is the competent organization of the land. Garden strawberries (or strawberries) are considered picky plants that require special growing conditions. Before making mini plantations for planting, familiarize yourself with the agrotechnical requirements that you need to adhere to, the appropriate materials and the technology for creating warm high plantations.

How to choose a place to plant strawberries

It is necessary to start planting bushes in the country or on a suburban area from August, and to finish this business in September. By this time, you will need to prepare the seats. Of particular importance is the choice of the optimal location, on which depends not only the yield, but also the taste of the berries. To do this, consider the following agrotechnical subtleties:

• Garden strawberries need to be grown on a site with good lighting. The plant loves warmth and light, but if the chosen place is in a lowland, then it is not worth it to arrange it. This is due to the fact that the soil in low areas freezes even in late spring, which threatens plants with death. Despite the fact that this culture loves light, you can plant it in a darkened area. Ripened products will gain little sugar, but gain more flavor – this crop is perfect for harvesting drying, preserving jam and other processing.
• It is undesirable to plant this strawberry among garden trees. In this case, not only the shadow from them, but also the pesticides with which the trees are sprayed can harm the plantings.
• The chosen place must be protected from the wind. Gardeners with experience recommend planting strawberries between gooseberry and currant bushes.
• An ideal location for a future plantation is the southeast side of the site. Garden strawberries should be planted on a slightly elevated or level ground..
• Southern slopes are not suitable due to early snow.
• The culture gives good productivity on the sandy loamy and sandy substrate, which is enriched in humus. In saline and calcareous areas, as well as in soils with a high occurrence of water, plants will not bear fruit well.
• Due to the fact that strawberries belong to the “pink” family, they cannot be planted next to relatives. It is impossible to break mini-plantations in that place of a garden where representatives of this family grew up last year. Plants have common pests and also draw the same nutrients from the soil. Most of them can overwinter in the soil and wake up with the onset of spring, starting to destroy a new crop.
• It is undesirable to equip a mini-plantation after harvesting tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, pepper, cabbage.
• Fruit trees, for example, apple trees, apricots, plums, cherries, etc. also have a bad effect on strawberries. It is undesirable for cherry blossoms and dogrose to bloom next to this berry crop..
• The best predecessors are radishes, parsley, carrots, corn, celery, dill and legumes.

Type of Strawberry Plantation

Having chosen the optimal planting site, it is necessary to determine the appropriate type of plantation, after which it is necessary to start preparing a nutritious soil substrate. When creating different options, PVC pipes, bags, car tires, slate, boards and other improvised tools are used. Strawberry beds are of the following types:

• Classic. This universal option is the most popular and simple, but many experienced gardeners try to experiment to get a larger crop and create interesting designs.
• Vertical beds for strawberries. They can save space and reduce the risk of crop damage by many pests..
• High. They prevent root decay due to good drainage. If necessary, you can equip the insulated front garden with the optimum temperature for growing the culture.
• The pyramids. Presented in the form of multi-tiered structures that can accommodate many plants. At the same time act as an element decorating the site.

Soil preparation

When preparing a seat you need to be guided by several rules. Thanks to them, you can increase productivity:

• From the land allocated for planting culture, remove all garbage – these are foliage, small branches, etc..
• Even if the site has been plowed since the fall, still dig it again with a shovel to the depth of the bayonet.
• Feed the soil with humus. Sprinkle fertilizer at the rate of 1 bucket for each square meter of the ridge. There is an option of a mixture of earth, compost, manure (all in 1 bucket) and 2 glasses of ash.
• Peat is sometimes used for loosening, which absorbs and retains moisture well. For each bucket, you will need to add at least a glass of ash.

After such simple steps, you must make markings in the form of stripes. When performing it, strictly adhere to the recommended row spacing. If the planting is too thick, this will lead to a decrease in yield or even death of plants. When preparing the ridges, do not forget about the furrows separating them – excess rainwater accumulates in these depressions. Garden strawberry, although it loves watering, but does not apply to water-loving crops.

Due to an excess of moisture around the root system, rot will begin to form with many parasites. Furrows will divert excess water from the roots, and the grooves themselves do not need to be digged deep. Plants in this case will grow more slowly. Ideally, the intermediate furrows deepen by 25 cm – this is enough for a good drainage of water, moreover, during harvesting people walk along these furrows. The integrity of the culture well is maintained, but the groove itself cannot be further violated so as not to impair the water drainage. Ready mini plantation should turn out on a hill.

Sizes of classic strawberry beds

To ensure a high yield, it is necessary to determine the size of the beds. In the traditional variant of planting, the culture is placed in a carpeted manner, in rows or nests. This technology is optimal for the organization of high plantations. The carpet method is appropriate for summer residents who rarely come to their site. The culture in this case grows and a microclimate forms, and a layer of mulch forms on the surface of the earth. Thanks to this, strawberries will not need frequent watering, feeding, but as the outlets increase, it becomes smaller.

To obtain large fruits, agronomists recommend adhering to certain parameters of planting berries. Be sure to take into account the following nuances:

• The optimal width of the ridge is up to 80 cm. This is enough to place two parallel rows at a distance of 40 cm from each other. If you select too wide a place, you may have difficulty with watering, weeding and harvesting.
• A suitable landing direction is from east to west. Thanks to this, it is possible to prevent the shading of young bushes with each other.
• The height of the structure for garden strawberries depends on the type of structure. Low options with sides 20-40 cm are easy to manufacture. Tall models, whose walls are up to 90 cm, have several advantages: ease of maintenance, placement of covering material and picking berries.
• Suitable distance between crops – 40 cm.
• The optimal value of the width of the furrows, on which the landing site should be cut, is 30-40 cm, and the depths are from 20 cm.
• Remember that you can not plant bushes of berry culture too close to each other. Saving space will negatively affect plant growth, provoke the rapid spread of diseases and complicate weeding.

Solid carpet

To plant as many bushes of fragrant berries on a site as possible, pay attention to a method called a “solid carpet”. In this case, you do not need to do the rows, which will save your time when arranging the land. The most important thing is the need to maintain a certain distance between cultures, which should be about 25 cm.

Two line ribbon

The peculiarity of this method is that you need to isolate every two rows (rows) from each other. Compared to the previous version, you cannot plant many bushes in the same area, but you will get larger berries. Main parameters:

• the distance between the two ridges is from 60 to 70 cm;
• each ridge consists of a pair of lines located at a distance of 30-40 cm from each other;
• cultures in each row are 25 cm apart.

In three lines

This option is similar to the previous one, but each bed for strawberries includes not two, but three rows. When choosing this scheme, stick to the following options:

• each bed, consisting of three rows, should be removed from the other at a distance of 60-70 cm;
• standard line spacing is between 25-30 cm;
• optimal distance between cultures in rows – 25-30 cm.

In five lines

An interesting scheme for growing garden strawberries, which is perfect for a denser planting. It is similar to other types of “ribbons”, but differs in the minimum distance between the bushes:

• each landing site consists of five lines;
• beds 60 cm equidistant from each other;
• the distance between the lines is 15 cm;
• crops in rows are separated by a distance of 15 cm.

Vertical beds

The method of growing garden strawberries on vertical structures for many summer residents seems a bit exotic. But there are gardeners who successfully implemented this modern technology, noting several advantages of this method:

• significant saving of the land;
• limited contact with the ground, thereby significantly reducing the risk of fungal diseases and root decay;
• convenience of berry crop care, as there is no need to constantly bend over and load the back, which is especially true for older people;
• there is no total thickening of landings;
• vertical bed for strawberries performs a decorative function, ennobles the site.

If you want to reduce the amount of irrigated, then dilute the soil substrate with hydrogel. There are also arguments against the organization of a vertical bed for strawberries, which is important to consider for every gardener who decided to create such a planting. The disadvantages include the following nuances:

• plants need frequent top dressing and watering, and fertilizing is recommended every week;
• strawberry bushes do not tolerate cold, because in raised containers, the soil quickly freezes.

From plastic pipes

One of the popular options for creating a design for vertical planting involves the use of pipes made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and drip irrigation. Thinking of assembling such a design, decide on the installation location. The ideal option is the sunny south or southeast side of the fence or gazebo. To create such beds for strawberries, it is better to buy PVC gutters (pipes will have to be cut in half), each segment should have a length of 1 m. Additionally, you will need PVC plugs, nylon or steel cables, fastener materials:

1. Make holes for draining excess moisture along the entire length of the gutters.
2. At the ends, holes will be needed where the wire is threaded to hang the entire structure.
3. Carefully close the ends of the drains with plugs. At the bottom lay dense synthetic material that prevents soil leaching.
4. Fill the resulting containers with nutritious soil and plant a strawberry crop in them. The convenience of the design is that it can be easily stored for storage in winter. If necessary, it can be fixed on the balcony.

There is another vertical version of PVC pipes. Make it a little easier than the previous one:

1. Take the drainpipe wide and narrow pipe (it will be inserted inside the wide one). The latter should be 10 cm longer than the first.
2. In 2/3 of the length of the narrow PVC pipe, make many small holes. The end without holes will be located below so that water does not enter the lower soil layer and does not overwet it.
3. Wrap a narrow pipe with burlap – this is necessary so that the roots of the bushes do not cling to the holes.
4. In a wide pipe, make large holes with a diameter of 20 cm so that bushes can be inserted into them. From the bottom leave the area without holes.
5. Insert a narrow pipe into a wide one, pour gravel so that the structure stands upright. Sprinkle the soil mixture slowly and plant the plants. Water; as you water, the water level in the narrow pipe will decrease.

Pyramid-shaped multi-story structures

Strawberry beds will look spectacular, which are placed on a multi-tiered structure in the form of a wooden pyramid – sometimes racks and even plastic bottles are used. It is recommended to plant neutral-day repairing varieties, for example, Elsanta, Brighton, in bunk beds for strawberries. A pyramid is erected as follows:

1. First, make a drawing of the bars with boards, and then make the frame in the form of a tri- or quadrangular pyramid.
2. on the side walls are equipped cells for soil with plants.
3. after the frame is assembled, it is necessary to tackle the soil: put on the bottom of the pyramidal structure a fine-mesh net, then a pillow of sawdust, and on top – fertile soil.
4. equip each next tier in the same way.

Tire Tower

Another option for the simple construction of strawberry beds involves the use of conventional car tires. This method is good because it does not require much effort and money, because many in the garage will have several old unnecessary tires. The manufacturing process includes several stages:

1. as a basis, use the rubber of a heavy truck, for the second tier – a tire of a smaller diameter, and for the top, find tires from a passenger car.
2. starting with the largest tire, fold the pyramid, filling the space with fertile soil;
3. on the side of the tread you need to cut through the windows where you want to plant strawberries.
4. plant 4-5 strawberry bushes in each tire.
5. for normal irrigation, maintaining a high yield of berries, the soil from the tires will need to be changed every couple of years, because tires are not environmentally friendly.

Hanging bags

To organize a vertical bed for strawberries, you can sew hanging flower beds using burlap, strong fabric or geotextiles as the main material. If you don’t have time for this, then use ordinary cloth bags. Ready-made hanging beds can be placed on the wall of a house, bathhouse, gazebo, on a fence or other flat surface:

1. Take bags made of natural fabric, as artificial fiber products quickly collapse under the influence of sunlight – they may not be enough for one season. Burlap also allows air and water to pass through well..
2. Be sure to sew the bottom and sides of the fortress several times.
3. Make a hanging loop on top of each bag..
4. Then you will need to cut holes for the plants in the bags, then fill them, plant the seedlings and pour them with a watering can.

Warm strawberry beds

This type of structure is arranged directly on the surface of the earth or deepens into the soil. The structure of the insulated version includes several layers: drainage, heat-generating layer and soil. Its arrangement is optimally suited for regions with an unfavorable climate, where until mid-June there is still a threat of frost return. Structures of this type are frame, bulk, combined. Regardless of the organization, the content of the “warm garden” is identical. Box filling sequence:

1. The rectangular design is made of drawer boards. The height of the sides is about 60 cm, and the width of the box is about 90 cm. From the inside, the case is finished with waterproofing material.
2. A small metal mesh is installed down, which protects against voles..
3. This is followed by a layer (about 20 cm) of shredded branches, bars, wood waste.
4. Newspapers, cardboard stacked on top..
5. Then you need to lay the sawdust, small wood shavings.
6. The next layer consists of fresh plant waste..
7. Next comes the humus from the compost pit.
8. At the very end of the box you need to fill up with a layer of earth.
9. If necessary, lay the area around the front garden with tiles, make paths. Lay a decorative stone around the perimeter, etc..

Before you make a “warm garden” to break a strawberry garden, determine the material of the fence. An excellent choice would be boards, metal profiles or slate. Another option is a wicker design made of branches. It is relatively simple to manufacture, but is not able to provide proper thermal insulation – moisture when it is used will quickly evaporate.

Wireframe

In such a structure, all the lower layers and the fertile “pillow” are placed in a prefabricated box. This method of organization is ideal for areas with high humidity, where the soil is swampy or often rains. The main thing is to make a solid frame that will last more than one season. For its manufacture, boards or slate are well suited. The former need to be treated with a protective coating.

Bulk

A feature of this technology is the need to dig a shallow trench, which is filled with “stuffing”. So it turns out a raised bed-hill with a warm bottom. Bulk application technology on the ground without the threat of flooding, i.e. where groundwater is far from the surface. Main stages:

1. A trench is dug up to the width of the bed (from 40 cm) – depth on the bayonet of a shovel.
2. At the bottom of the trench are pre-chopped dry branches. You need to start with large ones, and finish with the smallest ones.
3. Any plant debris is placed on the branches, for example, leaves, compost, dead grass, humus.
4. Then everything is carefully tamped, pour warm water.
5. Fertile land is laid on top.
6. The knoll will eventually become 20-30 cm higher. You can fence with boards or make the edges flat.

Combined

This option of organizing a “warm garden” for growing a berry culture is different in that it combines the features of the two previous ones. Sequencing:

1. dig a trench as in the first embodiment.
2. put the lower layers of organics in it.
3. make a box, for example, from boards.
4. lay the top layers of organics in it.

High beds

Having decided to take up spring planting of garden strawberries, pay attention to the high design, which many gardeners do not distinguish from warm. There is essentially no big difference between the two, especially the raised beds for strawberries are made using the same technology and using the same materials. The only difference is backfill. Tall structures often consist of one layer of fertile soil, i.e. They do not have a “heat generating” component.

Advantages and disadvantages

High smart beds for strawberries have several pros and cons, which are important to consider if you want to get a tasty and fragrant crop. The disadvantage of the design is the quick drying of the soil. Partially solve the problem by deepening the plantation 20 cm into the ground. The advantages are:

• for the arrangement of deep or frame structures, you can use balanced purchased soil;
• you can build a high structure for growing garden strawberries yourself, the main thing is to make a frame;
• a raised horizontal mini-plantation can be given a sinuous shape, which will become the original decoration of the site;
• rapid heating of the soil helps to accelerate the ripening of fruits;
• the soil is not crushed, remaining loose – more nutrients and oxygen will flow to the roots of the bushes.

How to choose the right size

Choosing the optimal parameters of a “raised garden” for the cultivation of a berry culture, consider several nuances. More about recommendations:

• In regions with a harsh climate, it is better to make a structure whose height is 20-25 cm. In winter, the structure will remain under the snow and the plants will not freeze. The sides with a structure of 40-60 cm in height may not be covered with a layer of snow, as a result of which the bushes will freeze through.
• Choose the length in accordance with the dimensions of the land.
• If you can approach the mini-garden only on one side, then the width of the structure should not be more than 60 cm. For bilateral maintenance, a value of 1-1.2 m is permissible..

Mobile (portable) designs

Such a structure is universal, because it can be put anywhere. It is convenient for them to decorate a recreation area near the gazebo, patio or courtyard. You can equip a portable garden bed for strawberries from such affordable and often unnecessary things in the household as a cast-iron bathtub, a wooden or metal barrel, flower pots or flowerpots, buckets, cars. Convenient mini-plantations will be made of wooden or plastic boxes with perforation.

Prefabricated mini-beds are suitable for a spacious landing. For this purpose galvanized steel ducts are widely used. The design, despite the light weight, has good strength. Steel has low thermal conductivity, so it does not heat up in the sun. Polymer-coated galvanized borders are durable and wear-resistant. Fencing is suitable for open and greenhouse use. The mobile box does not need to be cleaned for the winter, but if necessary, it is easy to disassemble and carry. Assembly Scheme:

1. Cover the inside of the plastic vegetable box with plastic in several layers.
2. Fill the crate with humus soil.
3. Then put in a box two bushes of berry culture.
4. Place the flower beds in a sunny place. To protect the improvised front garden from frost, slightly raise the box above the ground, for example, install it on bricks or logs.

Types of covering material

In order for the plants to develop normally, they need to be provided with moisture, heat and light. Using suitable covering material will solve several problems: protect the bushes and the soil of the mini-plantation. In the first case, the mini-garden needs to be covered completely – the material can be pulled over the supports, arches. To protect the soil, mulching is used: the strawberry bed is covered with material, and the plants are transplanted into pre-made holes. Types of covering materials:

• organic
• inorganic.

Organic

Organic type covering materials are more often used due to their availability and low cost. Organic mulch quickly decomposes and therefore requires regular replacement, which is some disadvantage. If you do not change them on time, they will turn into a substrate, which is teeming with fungi and bacteria. Organic materials include:

• Pine needles. They contain volatile, transmitting berries a lot of useful properties. When using such mulch, the aroma and taste of the product will improve.
• Sawdust. The cheapest covering material that does not have specific beneficial properties.
• Straw. In itself, it does not bear any benefit for berry production, but a hay stick propagates in it, relieving bushes from root rot.

Modern inorganic materials

Inorganic covering materials such as Agrotex, Agril, Lutrasil, Agrospan, Spandbond, black plastic film are in great demand. The first five relate to agrofibre, which is a polypropylene web that withstands moisture and does not react with chemical compounds. Inorganics are good because they do not rot and microorganisms do not start in it. To remove it from a mini-plantation is easier than an organic analogue. To cover strawberry beds with agrofiber, consider several important nuances:

• It is necessary to spread agrofibre in spring or autumn, i.e. during transplant.
• A couple of weeks before you cover the strawberry bed, prepare the plantation: level the surface, moisten, feed the soil.
• If you place a two-layer material, then make sure that the water-repellent side is below – it prevents the soil from drying out.
• A suitable pattern of beds under the black covering sheet is 45 cm between the rows and 40 cm between the bushes. The film is lined on a mini-plantation, after which cross-shaped holes are cut out in it.
• If the seedlings are planted, then first cover the mini-garden with agrofiber, then feel for the bushes under the canvas and make holes for them.
• Before fixing the covering material, check the tension of the web – the agrofibre should be free, but not develop.
• The covering material is fixed around the perimeter with boards, metal studs or sprinkled with earth. Make sure that there are no holes anywhere around the perimeter, otherwise this will lead to inflation of the agrofibre and its displacement.