Gardeners who engage in farming at a professional level are often interested in new techniques for planting different crops. Spunbond for strawberries is a new technique that, if used correctly, will qualitatively improve the resulting harvest. In order to correctly plant strawberries under spunbond, it is important to understand the general nuances of the issue.
Which black covering material to choose for strawberries
The technology of growing berries under such a covering is popular among gardeners, since the black cloth does not allow sunlight to pass through and at the same time on hot days promotes the normal growth and development of strawberry bushes. In addition, inorganic mulch, if used carefully, can be used for 4 years.
What is the name of the black strawberry material?
Inorganic mulch coating is the name given to the material used to cover strawberry beds.
Main varieties
To cover strawberries, several types of materials are used, which differ slightly in their properties.
Agrofibre
Considered one of the best mulching coatings. Agrofibre retains moisture for a long time and is breathable. Plants under it feel comfortable even in dry summers.
Unfortunately, agrofibre attracts slugs. Therefore, when choosing a site for strawberries, you need to take into account their presence in the soil.
Agrospan
Using agrospan, you can protect the root system of seedlings from frost. The material allows water to pass through well, so watering strawberries does not cause any particular difficulties.
Spunbel
The material is made of polypropylene, it does not make mulching strawberries difficult. This material stands out for its strength and lightness. Strawberries that grow under spanbel do not need weeding.
Spunbond
A fabric made from molten polymer fibers. It is durable, strong and practically does not wear out. However, to cover plants, it is necessary to choose a material with a density of at least 60 g/m2.
Lutrasil
The fiber practically does not get wet and eliminates a large amount of water evaporation in the strawberry beds. Compared to other black covering materials, lutrasil can let the sun through, although it can provide air exchange and protect strawberries from spring frosts.
How to choose a film
Nowadays different types of film are produced, how to choose the one that is suitable for growing strawberries? Any film can be used for at least three years. It is better to give preference to dark film.
It warms the soil well, absorbing heat. The berries ripen faster. There is a film with pre-cut holes for mounting. But such covering material is more expensive.
It is necessary to take into account the width of the beds and how many strawberry bushes need to be planted under the film. The thickness of the film is very important; it should not be less than 40 microns.
Pros of growing strawberries using cover cloth
Strawberries that grow under black inorganic cover have the following benefits:
- an environment comfortable for the plant is formed: on hot days, strawberries do not steam, and the soil retains heat for a long time;
- the ground under the material does not dry out, and when watering, water passes freely through the cells of the canvas;
- earthworms appear, which loosen and fertilize the soil;
- without access to light, the root system of plants develops more actively;
- berries ripen faster and remain clean due to mulching;
- strawberries tolerate spring frosts more easily, their winter hardiness increases;
- Thanks to the dry surface of the covering material, the seedlings are not susceptible to fungal diseases.
In regions with hot climates, it is necessary to take additional measures to protect against overheating of the soil. For this purpose, a layer of organic mulch is laid on top of non-woven inorganic black fabric: sawdust, straw, mowed grass. In this way, it is possible to prevent “burning” of the plant roots and premature wear of the covering material.
Main types of film
Black and white film. This is the most suitable option for planting strawberries. The bottom layer of this film is dark, it can provide the seedlings with warmth. The transparent top layer prevents the leaves from overheating. Weeds do not grow under such a film, since the film does not transmit light.
Black film. In extreme heat, the film will overheat and the plants may get burned. To avoid this, you can put straw between the film and the soil. It will prevent the film from overheating. Due to the greenhouse effect, moisture will accumulate under the film, which will prevent the formation of a dry crust on the soil. Black film improves metabolism in plants and helps the root system develop.
Transparencies. The soil warms up well under this film. Heat does not accumulate under it; it is completely safe for plants. But under the transparent film the weeds begin to grow; it will be difficult to grow strawberries without the use of herbicides. By increasing the temperature of the soil and the collected condensate, the covering material will be able to protect strawberries not only from heat, but also from sudden cold.
Reinforced film. This is a new look that consists of three layers. There is a light-stabilized layer on both sides, and a reinforcing mesh inside. Due to the mesh, the film becomes very durable, resists precipitation, and does not tear. If damaged, the mesh can be repaired.
Spunbond is a non-woven material that is a good alternative to polyethylene.
Agrofibre. This material is made from polypropylene fibers.
The advantage of agrofibre over polyethylene
Agrofibre has the following advantages:
- Strawberries are watered directly through the agrofibre. If you use polyethylene to cover the plants, then in the future you should consider a drip irrigation system for the beds.
- You can also fertilize seedlings through the canvas.
- The black coating allows the earth to breathe.
- There is no risk of developing fungus. If polyethylene is used, strawberries may be affected by gray rot.
- Agrofibre is more durable than film. It can be used for 4 years. After collecting berries for the 4th year, it will be possible to purchase new material. In this case, polyethylene needs to be replaced annually.
Sometimes agrofibre has two layers. One side of the coating repels moisture, the other absorbs it. On the garden bed, it is necessary to spread the material with the water-absorbing side facing up.
Criteria for choosing agrofibre
Spunbond is selected depending on the tasks for which it will be used. For growing strawberry seedlings, material with a density of 17 to 60 grams is recommended. To protect perennial plantings in the spring, a density of 25-40 grams is sufficient. For mulching, it is better to choose multi-layer, black spunbond.
Another criterion is the size of the canvas. When mulching, the flap must be laid so that it is not stretched like a string. The required size of a bed or greenhouse should not be taken one by one; it is better to have a small margin of up to 5% of the area, such a margin makes it possible to ensure the integrity of the material.
Spunbond is selected depending on the tasks for which it will be used
The choice for mulching should be a black material of medium density; this will allow the soil to warm up better on the one hand, and on the other hand it will prevent the root system from becoming waterlogged. When used as a covering material, it is better to take white lightweight material with a density of up to 40 grams. This is an almost universal parameter, both for shelter and for building a greenhouse.
How to properly lay covering material
The edges of the black coating should be secured as it is rolled out. During the process, it is important to ensure that the strawberry beds remain level. It is necessary that the mulch adheres tightly to the soil over the entire surface.
Which side to lay
The coating must be laid with its smooth surface down, towards the ground. This is convenient for watering the plant and accessing moisture to the soil and roots.
First, measure out the required size and cut the material, taking into account allowances for joining. Then spread the canvas along the ground in the longitudinal direction. At the joints, the pieces are placed on top of each other, and the junctions of the mulch are pressed with stones. In the future, the black covering material can be placed in small holes and covered with earth.
It is advisable to remember that the canvas must have sufficient width when laying. With a small amount of coverage, strawberries can become overgrown with weeds and remain growing in an open area. Usually the material is laid softly, without creases. If necessary, it is easy to cut and sew to any size.
How to secure covering material
In order to secure the canvas, grooves are deepened along its perimeter. Subsequently, fastening is carried out using metal rods. It is best to screw the covering material onto them from both sides. Lastly, it is placed in a recess and covered with earth. Additionally, the fabric should be secured to the ground with wire pins.
It is best to attach the covering in calm weather to avoid it “sliding” during strong gusty winds.
What is spunbond and why is it better than other materials?
Among the covering materials used in the production of berries, black spunbond for strawberries has found its application relatively recently. Actually, the technology for producing the material, which is based on polypropylene fiber, began in the early 70s, and found active use in agriculture in the late 80s.
The basis of the material is multilayer polypropylene fibers. At the initial stage, they intertwine and form two layers of fibers laid perpendicular to each other. The second stage of heat treatment fuses the fibers into a solid fabric, and the resulting film has a unique structure - it allows air and water to pass through, but at the same time allows it to retain moisture.
For the needs of agricultural production, several types of spunbond are produced, differing in their density - from 17 to 60 gramm2, and in the size of the solid fabric, ranging from 1 meter to 10 and even 20 meters wide. As for the length, you can choose a canvas of either short length or put one piece on a bed up to 4 km long.
What spunbond for strawberries looks like
The question of which spunbond is preferable for covering plants depends on the climatic zone - for the southern regions, material with a density of 17 gramm2 is sufficient. For the northern ones, you can choose a two-layer one with one side black and the other white, and the density can be 80 or even 120 grams.
Planting strawberries under black covering material
For a good strawberry harvest, black soil, loamy or sandy loam soil is best suited for planting. On clay soil, young plants will develop more slowly, so to ripen the berries under a covering material, such soil is first mixed with ash, compost or sand.
Preparatory work
For planting, you must choose an area without a hill. The beds should be made higher in order to prevent moisture from stagnating in the soil.
The work must be completed in this sequence.
- Dig up the soil with a shovel and pick out all the weeds by hand.
- Apply the necessary fertilizers to the soil. You can add straw and horse manure.
- Water thoroughly and form raised beds. Along their sides you need to dig small holes for subsequent fixation of the covering material.
- The soil must be carefully leveled with a rake.
Too wide beds are not suitable, as caring for the plants will be difficult. Optimal would be two dug rows on each strip covered with material.
Planting strawberries
When the beds are securely covered, you need to perform the following steps.
- Mark the holes with a long cord. Use chalk to mark the locations of future holes.
- You can use sharp scissors to make cross-shaped cuts (10 cm long). It is desirable that the distance between the slots be at least 30 cm.
- The corners should be tucked in and deepened, then crimped. Sockets should be located above the level of the bed.
- Plant the bushes in the holes and water them generously. In this case, the distance between the rows of strawberries should be approximately 40 cm.
The holes must be cut after the covering material has been fixed. In this case, the risk of the slot not matching the reinforced seedling is reduced. Also, if the marking is incorrect, the plant may subsequently be exposed, which can lead to its disease or freezing during a temperature change.
Strawberry care
The big advantage of growing strawberries in this way is that after planting in the garden, no special care is required for the seedlings. According to a certain scheme, plants need to be fed and watered, and aqueous solutions can be used for feeding.
Watering strawberries under agrofibre
Plants need to be watered about once a week, and in dry summers this can be done more often. Watering is usually done through agrofibre. To do this, it is better to use a rain nozzle so that the moisture is distributed evenly and the canvas does not move. This watering regime significantly reduces the risk of the plant becoming infected with gray rot.
Fertilizing strawberries under black covering material
In the first year of planting, it is not necessary to feed the seedlings additionally, since the soil has already been enriched with humus and minerals during the preparatory work.
In the second summer, fertilizing should be carried out in the following sequence:
- Plants need to be fed in early spring, after the snow melts.
If an aqueous solution is used when fertilizing, then it is necessary to avoid getting it on the stems and leaves of the plant so that it does not rot or die.
- For the second feeding, preparations that contain nitrogen, for example, vermicompost, are suitable. It is worth applying fertilizer before the strawberries bloom.
- The third time is fed after fruiting. At this time, buds are formed for the future harvest.
Once a month, it is necessary to carry out preventive spraying of the bushes with an aqueous infusion of dandelion leaves in order to avoid the appearance of pests and infection of the plant with various infections.
Removing a mustache
When processing plantings, strawberry tendrils are usually cut off regardless of where the berries ripen: in open plots or under covering material. Generally, the presence of tendrils robs the plant of its vigor and prevents the development of a viable root system. It is especially important to trim the mustache in the first year of planting: this will help strengthen the root system of the seedlings.
How to care for culture
Work on caring for strawberry beds is reduced to a minimum. You just need to make sure that the film is not damaged.
Watering
When planting, apply about a liter of water under each bush using a watering can. In the future, for watering you can use:
- Drip irrigation using the device described above.
- Irrigation using sprinklers. This method is most suitable when planting under agrofibre. If film is used, you need to water it three times a month if there is no rain. During flowering, irrigation is stopped.
It is not recommended to use a hose for watering, since the stream of water can wash away the roots.
Top dressing
- Before planting, humus and complex fertilizers are added to the soil. As soon as the growing season begins, you need to apply fertilizer with nitrogen under the roots, it will help the formation of green mass.
- At the stage of formation of peduncles and flowering, the plant needs fertilizing with phosphorus.
- When the berries begin to ripen, complex fertilizers are applied again.
Weeding
Weeds practically do not grow under the film. But if they appear, they are immediately removed. You can't wait for the weeds to grow around the strawberry bushes.
The nuances of planting strawberries under black covering material
When planting seedlings under cover, it is important to continue to care for them, monitor changes in external temperature, and properly water and fertilize the plants.
Which method of planting strawberries is your favorite?
In open ground
For covering material
At the end of summer
Strawberries planted under black mulch at the end of summer (in August) can be additionally covered with spruce branches or straw. With such preparatory work, plants will not suffer from temperature changes as much as in open areas, and they will tolerate winter frosts more easily.
in autumn
The last date for planting strawberries in the fall is September 20. The nuance of caring for the plant is that in cold climates the leaves are left for the winter without pruning for better wintering. In the spring in April, it is necessary to remove all last year's foliage; it is advisable to trim it with garden shears. Plucking by hand is not the best option, since you can accidentally pull out the entire bush along with the roots and damage the rosette.
Black covering material will allow the gardener to forget about weeds: the mulching fabric does not allow sunlight to pass through, creates a microclimate favorable for berry ripening, while the soil remains loose and moist. In this case, strawberries are protected from possible pests and diseases, since their leaves do not come into contact with the ground. Also, emerging earthworms fertilize and loosen the soil well. In addition, plants grown in this way will be strong and the berries will be large. The presence of black cloth will only speed up the ripening of strawberries and significantly increase the yield.
