Gardeners who are thoroughly involved in such a crop as strawberries try to select varieties that do not require special labor costs, but are famous for their bountiful harvest. The range of varieties today is very large. Breeders have created many interesting varieties, but the so-called oldies, tested for decades, are not inferior to them.
Marshall strawberries are one of the ancient varieties that are very popular among gardeners due to their ability to adapt to any climatic regions of Russia. But most importantly, tasty and aromatic berries for universal use. The features of growing the variety will be discussed.
Strawberry Marshall: description and characteristics, reviews and photos, planting and care
Those gardeners who grow strawberries in their garden plots try to plant varieties that do not require special care and yet have stable and good fruiting.
Many such varieties have now been bred thanks to the efforts of breeders from around the world. However, strawberry varieties created ten to twenty years ago (or more) are not inferior to modern garden strawberries in these indicators.
Strawberry Marshall
- one of the ancient varieties, which for many decades after its breeding was popular not only in America, but also in many other countries of the world
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This variety is still popular among gardeners, especially in Russia, as it can adapt to the climatic conditions of many Russian regions. And its delicious fruits with a pleasant strawberry aroma have a universal purpose. The content of the article:
How the variety was created Description of the strawberry variety Marshall Yield of the variety Diseases and pests Advantages and disadvantages Planting strawberries Marshall Further care of strawberries Marshall Fertilizing strawberries Preparing for winter Reviews of strawberries Marshall
Reviews from gardeners
Sofia, Moscow region: “The Marshall variety is the easiest to care for. I don't pay much attention to the bushes and don't spend a lot of time. The sizes are large, the leaves are wide and fleshy, thanks to which they displace weed crops. This variety is ideal for those summer residents who cannot often visit their site. Marshall does not require regular and abundant watering, but still produces a tasty and high harvest.”
Oksana, Rostov-on-Don: “I was attracted by its sweet and large berries. I use them to make jam and compotes. I appreciate the variety for its high yield and ease of care. From personal experience I can say that with regular loosening of the soil and watering, the harvest will not be long in coming.”
Irina, Belgorod: “I can’t help but agree that Marshall is unpretentious, and also resistant to various diseases. Berry bushes can withstand rain and heat, and the excellent taste and juiciness of ripe berries will not leave anyone indifferent.”
How the variety was created
The Marshall variety was bred by the American breeder M. F. Well in the last quarter of the 19th century. The excellent taste of ripe berries is the main reason why Marshall strawberries quickly became popular among American farmers. A few years later, gardeners from around the world began to purchase seedlings of this strawberry.
This strawberry variety was introduced to the Soviet Union shortly after the end of World War II. And after a couple of years, this berry crop spread not only to the southern regions of the country, but also to areas with more severe climatic conditions. Gardeners quickly appreciated the ability of these plants to adapt to different climates, while being characterized by consistently high fruiting.
Photo of strawberry Marshall
Strawberry Marshall: variety description
Strawberry Marshall is a mid-early variety.
Experts recommend growing it in almost all areas. But in regions with harsh winters, it is recommended to cover this strawberry plantation.
The bushes of this strawberry are powerful and spreading, and can reach a height of about 15 cm. The roots of the plant are also strong and powerful. The stems grow vertically and are considerably thick. The foliage is large, grows in large quantities on each bush, the leaf blades are wrinkled, with large teeth along the edges, the color is light emerald.
Although the peduncles differ in thickness, they often bend to the ground under the weight of ripening berries. The flowers are quite large, with five white petals and a bright yellow center, slightly rising above the foliage.
Description of the large-fruited strawberry variety Marshall - video
Each Marshall strawberry bush develops a large number of mustaches during the summer season, so gardeners do not have problems with the propagation of this variety.
Important!
Excess tendrils and some foliage should be removed during the summer so that they do not take away nutrients from the ripening crop.
Marshall strawberries are large-fruited - the weight of ripe berries can reach 50-60 g, but with good care, gardeners harvest larger fruits. Strawberries are a rich red color with a characteristic shine. The fruits are cone-shaped with a small spout at the top, which is slightly pressed inward.
The pulp of this strawberry is of medium density, light red in color, without internal cavities or voids. The taste of ripe Marshall strawberries is very sweet, juicy, the amount of acid is insignificant. The berries have a pleasant, rather strong strawberry aroma. The achenes are yellow in color, slightly pressed into the fruit, and cannot be felt when eaten fresh.
The collected berries can be consumed unprocessed, added to desserts, or canned. The jam made from this strawberry is especially tasty and aromatic. You can also freeze the harvested crop.
Good varieties of strawberries:
Strawberry Albion Strawberry First-grader Strawberry Ruby Pendant
It should be noted that ripe fruits do not tolerate transportation very well.
The undoubted advantages of Marshall strawberries include its resistance to periods of drought, while fruiting does not decrease and the taste of the berries does not deteriorate. The Marshall strawberry is highly frost-resistant, so it can be grown in most Russian regions.
Harvest and storage
Strawberries are harvested as they ripen in the morning or evening. To keep the berries longer, you need to pick them with their tails and put them in wooden boxes, the bottom of which is previously covered with sheets of paper. Whole and undamaged berries should be picked, and rotten specimens should be discarded immediately.
At home, it is better to store a small amount of strawberries in a glass jar on the refrigerator shelf. Recommended temperature for storage is +2…0°C. In this way, strawberries can be stored for 3-4 days. The berries are good to consume fresh, but they are also suitable for processing. They make excellent preserves, marmalade, compote, and confiture.
Did you know? If an adult does not have allergies or other contraindications to consuming strawberries, then he can consume up to 600 g per day.
Marshall strawberries are hardy under unfavorable climatic conditions and produce good yields of tasty berries. It is unpretentious in care, but attention should be paid to protective measures against pests and diseases, and numerous whiskers should be removed in a timely manner.
Productivity of the variety
Marshall strawberries begin to bear fruit by mid-June. With good care and favorable climatic conditions, at least 1 kg of ripe produce is harvested from each bush, which is an excellent indicator for a variety bred more than a century ago.
Advice!
This variety shows the highest yield in the first season after planting; later, fruiting decreases. Therefore, experienced gardeners recommend planting new beds with these strawberries every year.
Pros and cons
Experts include the undoubted advantages of the Marshall strawberry variety:
- high and stable yield, especially in the first season after planting;
- seedlings quickly adapt to new conditions, take root well and tolerate temperature fluctuations;
- fairly early ripening of berries, stable long-term fruiting;
- good taste and presentation of ripe berries, versatility of their purpose;
- the foliage is large, it protects ripening fruits from hot sun rays and bird attacks;
- Marshall strawberry bushes do not require special feeding. They are resistant to periods of drought, and the plants do not reduce their yield;
- high frost resistance of Marshall strawberries, which allows this variety to be grown in most Russian regions;
- good immunity, thanks to which the variety is practically not susceptible to disease.
But this strawberry also has disadvantages that you need to remember:
- ripe berries do not tolerate transportation well;
- The yield of Marshall strawberries decreases already in the second season after planting, so you have to plant new rosettes of this variety every year.
On a note!
Many gardeners argue that the excessive formation of whiskers in the Marshall strawberry variety is also a disadvantage, since they have to be regularly removed during the growing season.
Diseases and pests
Strawberry Marshall has good immunity to viral diseases and harmful pests. To prevent diseases, marigolds, aromatic herbs and garlic are planted between the beds.
If a disease occurs, the bushes should be sprayed with a special compound purchased at any specialty store.
Sprayers should not be used during flowering and harvesting. The berries absorb harmful compounds and, once ingested, can cause poisoning.
If infected with a fungus, the plant should be sprayed with a fungicide and all tendrils should be cut off. If necessary, repeat spraying.
If you are infected with a strawberry mite, you need to thoroughly disinfect everything and dig up the soil. The tick is more active in late spring and summer. It is a carrier of dangerous fungal diseases.
It is possible to understand that strawberries are affected by mites by the leaves twisted into a tube only in the middle of summer. At earlier stages it is difficult to detect a tick. It cannot be seen with the naked eye. If you do not disinfect and spray with special preparations, the mite will not disappear on its own, but the plant will turn yellow, decrease in size and may die completely.
Whitefly infestation is one of the most destructive nuisances. First, they, in the form of small insects, settle in the lower part of the bush, as they do not like sunlight. The next development cycle is transformation into a butterfly. She has white wings, which is where the name comes from. Butterflies parasitize the leaves and drink their juice.
Loosening the soil is the best prevention against whiteflies. The adult is disposed of using adhesive yellow plywood sheets placed between the beds.
Planting strawberries Marshall
Planting rosettes of this variety is practically no different from growing other varieties of strawberries. Many gardeners say that it is better to plant Marshall strawberries in the spring, since the bushes quickly take root and can produce a good harvest already during the planting season.
This variety can be propagated by seed, rosettes or dividing bushes.
. All propagation methods are equally good - in any case, the survival rate of plants is close to 100%. It is necessary to plant this berry crop when the soil warms up to 15 degrees Celsius, and the air temperature does not drop to less than 15 degrees Celsius.
The area for these strawberries should be well lit by the sun, and the soil should have good moisture and air permeability and be quite fertile.
CORRECT PLANTING OF STRAWBERRY - video
When preparing beds for strawberries, it is necessary to take into account the rules of crop rotation and plant this plant after the following crops:
- radish;
- radishes;
- salad;
- spinach;
- dill and parsley;
- peas, beans, soybeans;
- turnip;
- carrots;
- celery;
- Luke;
- garlic;
- tulips;
- narcissus;
- marigolds;
- mustard;
- phacelia.
Many of the above plants can also be grown in the inter-rows of strawberry beds.
Photo Planting strawberries Marshall
It is important to know!
Bad neighbors for strawberries are all nightshade crops and cucumbers, which suppress the growth and fruiting of strawberries.
According to reviews from gardeners, Marshall strawberries perform best on clay soils where drainage is poor. It is better to prepare high beds for planting these strawberries so that the bushes can be warmed by the sun from all sides.
The beds for planting Marshall strawberries need to be prepared in advance - in the fall. When digging, organic matter (compost, humus, peat, wood ash and river sand) should be added to the soil. Be sure to remove all plant debris and weed roots from the site. If mustard or phacelia grew on the site, then these plants are buried in the ground, as they are excellent green manure.
To grow Marshall strawberries from seeds, you should plant them at home in early February. And grown strawberry seedlings are planted in open ground when the ground and air have warmed up sufficiently.
It is necessary to divide strawberry bushes for further planting in the spring, and this berry crop is propagated by rosettes as they appear. When planted in spring, the bushes have time to take root well and produce a good harvest.
Marshall strawberries can be planted in a checkerboard pattern, in one or two lines.
Since the bushes grow quickly, the distance between them should be at least 0.45-0.5 m.
Reproduction
It propagates by transplanting rosettes and then planting them in a greenhouse or open ground. Before this, you need to prepare a solution of potassium permanganate (its color should be light pink). Place the planting material, or rather its roots, in it for 10 minutes, and then rinse with clean water.
Attention! When planting seedlings, you need to take into account their ability to grow, so it is better to distribute strawberries on the site in a checkerboard pattern, maintaining a distance of 20 cm between plants.
Further care for Marshall strawberries
Further care for these strawberries will not be too difficult. Although the Marshall variety is drought-resistant, it is not worth experimenting and it is better to follow the irrigation regime in order to obtain abundant harvests.
To prevent diseases and control pests, it is necessary to spray the bushes with special preparations.
Also, to repel pests, it is recommended to plant spicy herbs with a strong aroma, marigolds, and marigolds between the rows.
Fertilizing strawberries Marshall
It is better to use organic matter as fertilizers - infusions of cow manure or bird droppings, “greenfinch”. Nettle decoction. Fertilizers should be applied to the bushes of this berry crop several times a season: in April, before flowering begins, during the period of fruit ripening, after fruiting ends.
Fertilizing Marshall strawberries is usually combined with loosening the beds and removing weeds.
How to feed strawberries. Fertilizing and mineral nutrition of strawberries - video
If the stems become thin, then the bushes are fertilized with a solution of wood ash, and the foliage is dusted with dry ash.
In addition to fertilizing “at the root,” fertilizers are applied “on the leaf.” To do this, dilute 1 tbsp in a bucket of water. l. ammonia, boric acid or iodine.
You should not get carried away with applying fertilizers containing large amounts of nitrogen to Marshall strawberry bushes. Such fertilizing activates the growth of vegetative mass to the detriment of the formation of peduncles. As a result, the yield of the variety may decrease.
Important!
All fertilizing stops approximately 25-30 days before harvest.
Preparing for winter
In preparation for winter, Marshall strawberry bushes are pruned, leaving stumps about 3 cm high, as flower buds will form on them.
Features of care
It is better to water Marshall strawberries at the root, trying not to flood the flowers and berries.
Marshall is a very unpretentious variety. However, in order to ensure full development of strawberries, it is necessary to follow all the rules for caring for this garden crop.
Watering
With the beginning of the growing season, Marshall needs regular, abundant watering.
They continue until the final harvest. It is best to water the bushes in the morning or evening, so that moisture that accidentally gets on the leaves does not burn the delicate tissues of the plant during evaporation under the sun's rays. It is very important to prevent moisture from getting on the flowers and fruits during watering. Irrigate strawberries directly at the root.
Despite the fact that Marshall is a drought-resistant variety, it still needs to be provided with sufficient moisture. On especially hot days, it is recommended to water strawberries 2-3 times a week . In more moderate climatic conditions, watering is carried out less frequently.
Loosening
Caring for the Marshall variety involves necessarily loosening the soil around the bushes. Loosened soil allows moisture to pass through better and saturates the root system with oxygen.
Young strawberry bushes need loosening after each watering.
On dense, “clogged” soils, the crop grows weakly, develops poorly, and produces an extremely meager harvest.
Fertilizer application
Marshall does not have an urgent need for regular feeding, but to ensure high fertility it should be fed with organic and mineral fertilizers.
At the beginning of summer, strawberries need to be fed with an infusion of bird droppings or mullein.
They are introduced in May, early summer and autumn. The most important time for feeding is the flowering period and fruit formation.
Gardeners recommend using organic mixtures, since Marshall is a fairly delicate crop, and if the dosage of mineral fertilizers is incorrect, you can simply burn the plant. For these purposes, infusions of weeds, chicken droppings, nettles, wood ash, slurry, and mullein are ideal.
If the shoots have grown very thin, this indicates a lack of potassium . It is necessary to provide strawberries with its supply as soon as possible by enriching the soil with potassium sulfate, potassium nitrate or wood ash.
You need to be especially careful with nitrogen fertilizers, carefully monitoring their dosage. It is best to breed them in water.
Strawberry Marshall: reviews from summer residents
Natalya, 30 years old, Far East: My grandmother was involved in growing strawberries of this variety. Then my mother looked after the strawberries. Currently, we are growing Marshall strawberries together. We grow strawberries for sale, so this variety is quite suitable for us - it is quite productive, the fruits are sweet and very beautiful - buyers snap up our strawberries very quickly.
Olga, 45 years old, Volgograd region: This strawberry appeared on my plot by accident - a neighbor at her dacha was removing her Marshal’s mustache and gave me several shoots. The first harvest from the bushes was amazing - about 0.7 kg from each. I decided to propagate this variety. The appearance, yield, and taste of Marshall strawberries are excellent!
When growing Marshall strawberries, you must take into account the characteristics of the variety and follow all the rules of care.
In this case, the plants will thank the gardeners with abundant fruiting.
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