Do-it-yourself multi-tiered pyramid-shaped bed for strawberries

The question of how to plant strawberries in a pyramid requires not only a technical approach. When planting berries using this method, you will have to pay extra attention to them.

One of the most common methods of growing strawberries is a vertical pyramid. This option is very popular all over the world, as it is beautiful and convenient.

You can build a strawberry pyramid bed with your own hands from existing materials. We will look at how to build a pyramid for strawberries on your site in this article. Pyramid ridges rationally occupy a landing plane, which is directed upward, and not along a horizontal surface.

This solution saves land area. This is especially important in small areas.

Pros and cons of multi-tiered beds

Strawberry pyramid beds are built from different materials, but usually from wood. The assembled structure is installed in the place prepared for it, covered with drainage and soil. If everything is done according to the rules, then before filling the soil, an irrigation system is installed on the pyramid.

Let's consider the advantages of a strawberry pyramid bed:

1. Space saving. On a plot of 1 m2 you can plant a lot of strawberries, using the planting area upwards, and not on the sides, taking away land from the garden, which is usually not enough.
2. It’s easier to care for the structure; you don’t have to bend over and squat.
3. Before planting the seedlings, the backfill soil is treated to remove bacteria, fungi, weeds and pests. The soil practically does not need weeding. If healthy seedlings are planted, strawberries are not attacked by insects and diseases, which are often caused by contaminated soil.
4. When watering plants, excess moisture flows down, the root system does not rot.
5. The pyramid is the first to receive the sun's rays on the site. On cold mornings and in spring, the hill warms up faster than horizontal beds.
6. Berries grown on tiers hang from the structure without touching the ground, so they do not rot and remain clean.
7. A pyramid can be built from old scrap materials.
8. A beautiful pyramidal hill with green bushes and bright berries becomes a useful decoration for a personal garden or summer cottage.

The beds, which are built in the form of a pyramid, also have disadvantages. It is better to know about them in advance:

1. It takes time to build a slide. If it is built from new materials, then funds must be invested.
2. Soil that is isolated from the common ground quickly freezes, dries out and becomes depleted. This means that the pyramid bed needs to be irrigated and fed frequently. During the winter, in regions with cold climates, the strawberry hill must be insulated.
3. The problem with soil irrigation can be solved using a drip irrigation system, but this leads to additional time and money costs.

High-quality materials are the key to successful construction

For shelving in home greenhouses, wooden blocks and boards are most often used.

By itself, wood is a weak and short-lived material, which is why it is so important to select the highest quality workpieces.

In fact, you can build a strong and reliable structure from wood that will last for many years, but only if the following rules are followed:

• Minimum of knots. Knots are the weakest point on a timber, and it is at these points that fractures most often occur.
• Optimal humidity. This figure should be approximately 15-18 percent, but this can only be determined with the help of special equipment, so you should be guided by tactile study. The wood should not be wet to the touch, otherwise deformation will begin when it dries.

We see an example of a small home greenhouse with wooden shelving

• Evenness. Each beam must be as even as possible, and the worst thing is a screw bend. Such a defect will create many problems when assembling the rack.
• Cracks. If there is a crack along the beam, then over time it will only increase, and sooner or later, the tree will simply break in this place.
• Blue spots are a sign of the beginning of the rotting process. Of course, it is possible to stop it, but this is an extra waste of time and money, so it is better to discard such a tree immediately.

Advice! Try not to buy materials on the construction market, where all storage rules are usually violated. It is better to give preference to the store, even if the price there is higher, you will be able to save on rejection during the construction of the rack.

When the material is selected and delivered to the site, it needs to lie down for several days at the temperature that will be in the greenhouse, and in the meantime we move on to the next stage.

How to build a multi-tiered strawberry bed

Before starting work, you need to decide on the height of the bed and the number of tiers. It takes into account how much space can be allocated for a hill on the site.

Next, they think about what material is available. Do not forget about the drawing if the multi-tiered pyramid is assembled from boards. The plan will help you determine the optimal dimensions and calculate the required amount of material.

Material selection

A garden bed pyramid can be built from many building materials, even brick. True, such designs are rarely resorted to. Wood is most often used for construction. Wood rots faster in the ground, but it is easier to process and more convenient to work with.

A bed made of pine is guaranteed to last 5 years.

If hardwood is additionally treated with a waterproofing solution and an antiseptic, the service life increases to 10 years.

They are building beds for strawberry seedlings from car tires. Finding tires of different diameters is difficult. It is with different tires that you will get a pyramid with a smooth transition of tiers.

One of the advantages of tires is their resistance to destructive factors. The downside is that when heated by the sun's rays, rubber releases toxic substances into the soil. This effect can be reduced by painting the tires.

Another material chosen for the slide is metal, but it has a big disadvantage: rapid corrosion upon contact with damp earth.

How to choose strawberry seedlings?

After you decide on the strawberry variety that is suitable for you, you can choose seedlings. If you are starting to grow strawberries for the first time, it is better to purchase seedlings from specialized nurseries, where they have undergone all the necessary preparation before planting.

Experienced gardeners know what to look for before buying strawberry seedlings:

• The color of the leaves should be even and rich. They should not have any defects - stains, wrinkles, etc.
• The number of leaves on each bush should be at least 3 pieces.
• The root collar must have a diameter of at least 5 mm, without spots or signs of rot.
• The roots must be no shorter than 7 cm, healthy, strong, and without damage.

Making a wooden pyramid

When wondering how to make a pyramid for strawberries yourself, many, looking at the drawings, remember children's sandboxes. Indeed, a do-it-yourself strawberry pyramid, the drawings of which you can draw up yourself, will resemble a children's playground, albeit in an unusual design. For manufacturing you will need the following materials:

• wooden boards of durable thickness, their dimensions are determined by the original area of ​​the site. Before work, it is important not to forget to saturate them with drying oil. And then sand it with sandpaper and varnish it. This will help smooth the boards and reduce the risk of injury for both the berry and the gardener;
• material for fastening the tiers of the pyramid, with which the boards will be connected to each other;
• hammer with a building level;
• soil, with which after completion of the work it will be necessary to fill the pyramid.

The pyramid construction scheme begins with leveling the prepared area of ​​soil. After the process, the manufacturing of the largest part of the structure begins. It usually requires boards about 30 cm in size. They need to be connected using fasteners, forming a square or rectangle shape. Then deepen the structure about 15 cm deep into the ground. Then you immediately need to fill the bottom layer with soil.

The strawberry pyramid is first filled with nutritious compost, humus and coarse sand. Then water the structure generously and leave for half an hour for the soil to settle. Next, if necessary, you can add more soil to the bed so that it reaches the edges of the boards, but does not spill out of them.

Then you need to build the second part of the pyramid. Which, according to average estimates, should be 70 cm smaller than the first plot. Such space is optimal for comfortable germination of strawberries. The second part must be placed strictly in the center on the base of the pyramid, then the process is repeated, similar to the first stage. Then you need to install another tier according to the same principle as the first two.

When wondering how to build a pyramid for strawberries with your own hands, you can pay attention to another way to create a structure.

Stages of developing a strawberry business

If you decide to start growing strawberries for sale, you must first draw up a business plan to determine the costs, calculate the risks and understand when and what profits can be expected. If the results of the calculations satisfy you, you can get down to business.

Growing room

Many people start their business by adapting existing premises for growing berries: insulated loggias, storage rooms, basements, garages. But the profitability of these options is highly questionable due to the small area and the need for constant illumination. If you have money or the opportunity to take out a loan, it is better to start right away with greenhouses. The most worthy option is polycarbonate greenhouses.

• They are more expensive than film ones, but better protect plants from frost;
• They do not require a reinforced foundation, unlike greenhouses covered with heavy glass;
• Service life without repair costs reaches 20 years;
• The design is lightweight; if necessary, it can be moved to another place without disassembling it.

Cellular polycarbonate is an ideal material for greenhouses

Any greenhouse is better than an enclosed space, if only because the plants in it are illuminated by sunlight during the day, rather than by artificial light. Its construction and equipment with everything necessary makes up the lion's share of all costs.

Greenhouse equipment

It is very important to think about heating, ventilation, watering and lighting so that strawberries feel good and produce a rich harvest. This is a rather complex topic that requires separate discussion on each point. Detailed information can be found on our website in the relevant articles and videos. So:

• In addition to technical equipment, in greenhouses it is necessary to prepare the soil and determine the growing technology. The best growing medium for strawberries is a mixture of peat and perlite sand in equal proportions.
• Berries can be planted in beds, boxes mounted on racks, plastic bags filled with a nutritious earthen mixture (see Growing strawberries in bags - original, compact, profitable) or individual pots for each bush. Depending on the chosen method, the method of watering and drainage is also selected.

Advice. Since strawberries do not tolerate moisture of leaves and fruits, they should be watered at the root. The best way to cope with this is a drip system, which you can assemble with your own hands at minimal cost.

With drip irrigation, water is supplied directly to the roots

Selection of planting material

Strawberry varieties are selected based on yield indicators. The following are ideal for growing in protected soil:

This berry reproduces by whiskers, and the easiest way is to purchase already grown seedlings in specialized nurseries. This is expensive, since one bush can cost from 30 to 60 rubles, but it is reliable. You can cut costs by growing your own planting material, but this takes time. One option is to grow strawberries from seeds. The second is the purchase of a limited number of seedlings and their propagation by mustaches.

Attention! The instructions for propagating strawberries say: the strongest, healthiest and most productive bushes are obtained from the tendrils that the mother plant produced first.

Pyramid made from old tires

In addition to the previous option, you can create a pyramid of tires for strawberries. When wondering how to build such a pyramid, you need to find several tires of different sizes in advance. Anything will do, from multi-ton trucks to small car models. Typically, the bottom tier is a tire from heavy-duty vehicles. Next come smaller diameters, which are selected based on the base.

The place where strawberries will be planted in a pyramid must be thoroughly cleaned and a hole dug. It must match the tire diameter. The top part of the tire with the largest diameter will have to be cut using an electric jigsaw. The remaining part is placed in the prepared hole. It is necessary to pour a 2 cm drainage layer at the bottom of the structure. It usually consists of a soil mixture mixed with expanded clay. The tiers are then made using similar methods.

Drawings and parameters of a pyramid for strawberries

There is no point in making a complex drawing for a slide, since it is a fairly simple design. The pyramid is made up of several boxes stacked on top of each other. If tires are used, then a drawing is not needed at all.

You don’t need a plan if you are building a two- or three-tier pyramid for strawberries.

It’s more difficult to deal with a structure that has 5-7 tiers, because it needs to be watered somehow. To ensure that water is evenly distributed over the soil, the slide is equipped in the center with a perforated pipe into which water is poured.

The above scheme provides for the protection of the bottom of the pyramid with a galvanized mesh. She will not allow rodents to get out of the garden. When a pyramidal bed is installed on asphalt or in the yard on paving slabs, there is no need for reinforced mesh.

Possible options for constructing greenhouses

Varieties of greenhouse designs.

There are a large number of varieties of greenhouses for strawberries, all of them are designed for growing certain plants, vegetables or berries and are suitable for growing strawberries:

1. Arched - suitable for short plants. This type is good because the snow does not accumulate on the roof, but slides down the walls of the structure;
2. Tunnel - the positive aspects are the same as the arched type, plus the ability to make the structure of any height;
3. Gable - classic. The height of the structure allows you to grow tall plants;
4. Pyramidal - mainly used for seedlings.

Technology for assembling a pyramidal bed for strawberries

It is easier to form a pyramid of tires. It is difficult to find a large number of tires of different diameters. So many gardeners limit themselves to a pyramid of two or three tiers.

First, use a sharp knife to cut off one flange of the tire from the side.

In its place, a planting area for seedlings is being set up.

The inside of the tires can be painted in any color. The paint acts as a protective layer. The outside of tires is painted in multi-colored shades to decorate the garden bed.

Further actions:

1. The largest wheel is placed on the ground.
2. If necessary, galvanized mesh is placed under the wheel.
3. The tire is filled with a drainage sand layer and prepared soil.
4. A smaller second wheel is placed on top. Do the same actions.
5. Subsequent tiers are arranged similarly.
6. When there are only two tires, a plastic basin is placed as the third tier.

Wooden pyramids are more difficult to assemble.

1. First, edged boards are prepared: thickness 4 cm, width 25 cm. It is easier to make a pyramid in a square shape. If the bed is high, the size of the lower tier is 2.2 × 2.2 m.
2. To create the lower tier, a board 2.2 m long is cut. The sides of the second tier pyramid should be 30-35 cm smaller.
3. The square boxes of all subsequent tiers are reduced in this proportion.

A pyramid of ready-made boxes is assembled in the same way as from tires. An exception is the installation of a perforated plastic pipe with a diameter of 10 cm in the center of the bed. It is closed at the bottom with a plug.

The walls of the pipe are drilled with a drill with a diameter of 1 cm.

The pipe is wrapped with geotextile. This way soil will not get inside. The pipe is installed simultaneously with the lower tier box. During powdering, it is pressed down by the soil.

In the photo the design is more complicated, but quite doable:

Advice ! You can protect wood from moisture by treating it with an antiseptic or drying oil. Pieces of roofing felt can be laid out inside the boxes.

Varieties and types of strawberries for vertical planting

It is not advisable to plant strawberries that require a larger volume of soil vertically (varieties with a powerful bush, intensive growth, designed for 3-4 years of growth). Ampelous garden strawberry bushes are excellent for pipes and pyramids. Experienced gardeners also recommend varieties:

• Queen Elizabeth is a hardy and unpretentious variety that is resistant to many diseases. Fruits from June to early October. One bush can produce from 1 to 2 kg of berries;
• Alba is an early variety. Winter-hardy, the fruits are sweet, almost without sourness. The berries tolerate transportation well and are stored fresh better than many other varieties. Can produce a harvest of up to 1 kg per bush;
• Homemade delicacy F1 is a remontant hanging variety. The berries are sour, quite large, up to 3 cm in diameter. The long flower stalks are located close to each other, which is why the berries hang tightly, which looks very beautiful.

Photo gallery: strawberry varieties for vertical growing

Strawberry variety Queen Elizabeth - hardy and unpretentious

Strawberry variety Home delicacy F1 - remontant

Strawberry variety Alba - winter-hardy

But with the modern variety of varieties, of course, you can choose other options.

How to make from pipes

Pipe beds are an excellent option for saving space and also for good plant development. They are made as simple as shelling pears, so even an inexperienced summer resident can cope with such work. We considered making vertical beds, but horizontal structures can also be made from PVC pipe.

Most often, a frame is prepared for them, preferably metal, on which the beds will subsequently be attached. You will need wide pipes, which are usually used for sewage, as well as thin ones. Don't forget to purchase plugs for them. Such beds are made according to the vertical principle, with the only difference being that the plugs are installed on both sides, and the bed itself is attached to the frame.

Equipment for growing strawberries

The most expensive part of growing strawberries is the construction of a greenhouse and its equipment. You won’t be able to get by with an ordinary wooden greenhouse with a film cover - it, of course, can speed up the ripening of berries in the summer, but it won’t survive the winter.

Therefore, usually for winter growing of strawberries, a glass or polycarbonate greenhouse is installed on a wooden or metal frame. The thickness of the polycarbonate should be at least 16 mm, and the base should be strong enough not to fall under the load of snow. For residents of northern regions and those who want to significantly save on heating, a thermos greenhouse partially submerged in the ground can be an excellent option.

• Building a thermos greenhouse: step-by-step instructions

  Build a thermos greenhouse and harvest an unprecedented harvest of a wide variety of vegetables and fruits.

In addition to the greenhouse itself, you will need:

• phytolamps or fluorescent lamps that can provide plantings with 10-14 hours of daylight;
• drip irrigation system;
• a heating system that maintains a uniform temperature in the greenhouse;
• fans that provide air movement and uniform heating at different heights;
• thermometer and hygrometer (temperature and humidity sensor);
• racks, pots and boxes (for multi-level planting).

Planting strawberry seedlings in pyramidal beds

Planting strawberries in a hill is the same as in a regular garden bed.

1. A soil mixture is prepared, consisting of garden soil, peat and leaf compost.
2. Perlite with sand acts as drainage.
3. If the soil is heavy, you can add sand and perlite to the soil itself.
4. Strawberries are planted in spring or September, but not later. Otherwise, the seedlings will not have time to take root in the pyramid bed.
5. Planting is done from the top level so that during planting the soil does not cover the strawberries planted below.

The number of seedlings on each tier depends on the size of each box. But the plantings should not be thickened; the distance between seedlings is maintained at 20-25 cm.

After planting, the plants are watered with warm water and shaded from the sun.

Many gardeners mulch seedlings.

DIY strawberry greenhouse

To build a suitable structure, you do not need to be a specialist, unless you are going to build an industrial greenhouse. The finished greenhouse for strawberries must withstand the severity of precipitation during rains and snowfalls, otherwise it will begin to bend and will soon be destroyed. Additionally, you need to carefully select an area on your site that is ideal for constructing a structure that will be strong and durable. Main stages:

1. project preparation;
2. foundation construction;
3. construction of the frame;
4. covering fastening.

How to choose a location

Not all gardening enthusiasts know that a greenhouse should not be located in a low area, especially if water accumulates there. In this case, even drainage may be powerless. If the structure will be used only in the warm season, then it should be placed from west to east. If the strawberry greenhouse is intended for year-round use, then orient it from north to south. The ideal location for the construction of such an object should be level and not shaded by trees. At the same time, it should not be interfered with by other buildings.

Preparation of the project and drawings

During the preparatory work, mark the site for the building, calculate the dimensions and decide on the appropriate type of foundation and frame shape. The latter can be arched or in the form of a house. The easiest way is to find ready-made drawings of a greenhouse structure, which can be adapted in accordance with personal preferences and the existing features of the area.

Foundation arrangement

The base of the object serves not only as a support for the frame, but also as protection of the plantings from atmospheric phenomena. The strength of a structure depends on proper drainage and how evenly its weight is distributed across the foundation. Strict horizontality of the base and proper drainage of water are important. A layer of bitumen or roofing material, which is laid between the frame of the object and the base of the foundation, will not be superfluous. Additional insulation will protect the building from rotting and corrosion. There are generally two suitable types of foundation for a strawberry greenhouse:

• Spot. It is erected on stone, monolithic or wooden reinforced concrete pillars. The latter are installed strictly horizontally. To prepare holes for posts, a drill with a diameter of about 25 cm is suitable.
• Tape. It is the strongest and most durable. This foundation is installed if the greenhouse is designed for long-term operation. To fill it, formwork is installed. The concrete used for pouring serves as a kind of heat accumulator. During the day it heats up in the sun, and at night it slowly cools down and gives the plants warmth.

Construction of the frame

The supporting structure is made of wood or metal. The first material is easy to process and environmentally friendly, but not durable, because... susceptible to rotting and destruction under the weight of snow or strong winds. A wooden frame will last longer if it is impregnated several times throughout the year with a special waterproofing and antiseptic solution. The second material is more reliable and durable, but it is susceptible to corrosion. When working with it, consider a few nuances:

• When choosing a material, analyze the climatic conditions of the region. Metal pipes can withstand significant loads, but a steel profile is much cheaper.
• The strongest frame can be assembled from ready-made arches. The disadvantage of this design is its large dimensions, so collapsible arches with special connecting inserts are more popular.
• It is important to protect metal from corrosion. To do this, the material is first primed and then coated with special paint.

Cover fastening

Polycarbonate is widely used for covering a metal frame. Sheets of this material bend well due to their plasticity. They only need to be bent across the stiffener. The sheets are attached to the frame using ordinary self-tapping screws, glued or welded. It is not recommended to drill the arcs to fix them, otherwise the number of areas potentially dangerous for corrosion will increase. Polycarbonate manufacturers recommend using special fasteners that cover the frame arc on both sides and secure the material.

If you choose glass as a covering, you can use old window frames. First remove the handles and hinges from them and clean them of paint. Next, you need to spread an antiseptic over their surface. Before starting installation, you can carefully align all the glass so as not to damage them during installation. Window frames can be nailed to the frame or screwed with self-tapping screws.

Soil requirements and preparatory activities

We have already figured out how to make a bed for plants, and now let’s talk about the soil. In order to grow a really good strawberry crop, you need to choose soils similar in composition to loamy and sandy loam.

Loamy soil perfectly passes and retains moisture, breathes and warms up easily. Sandy loam has a lot of sand in its composition, due to which it also has excellent throughput. When it dries, a dense crust does not form on its surface.

Strawberries just don’t like sandy and clay soils. Sand quickly heats up and cools down, losing its beneficial properties. Clay slows down the growth of the plant, since it does not contain enough oxygen and moisture.

Acidity is considered an important characteristic. Acidic and alkaline soil types are unsuitable for strawberries. Neutral soil compositions or with a normal/slightly acidic reaction, when the pH level is not higher than 5.5, are best suited.

In order to increase soil fertility, it is necessary to regularly feed the plantings with organic matter. This fertilizer is prepared mainly from bird droppings in a ratio of 1:10. It infuses for several weeks. Mullein can also be used.

Compost is prepared in late spring. We take garbage bags with a volume of about 120 liters and prepare chamomile, nettles, weeds and clover. We chop everything thoroughly and then put it in bags in layers, topping each layer with wood ash. Next, we place the bags in the sun. By the end of summer the compost will be ready. It is perfect for digging up the ground in the fall or as mulching around a bush.

In autumn, when preparing the soil, you can add mineral fertilizers to it:

1. phosphorus;
2. potassium;
3. nitrogen.

But when using this type of fertilizer, you must follow the dosage regimen. They can be used both dry and dissolved.

Also, before digging the soil in the fall, ammonium sulfate is used. It looks like small white crystals. For 1 sq.m. it will require no more than 40 g.

Important! Ammonium sulfate will allow strawberries to grow green mass.

Main diseases of strawberries

Despite the limited access of pests, strawberries are susceptible to many diseases. Most of them occur due to high humidity and excessive watering, for example, white or brown spotting. The first signs of their occurrence: the appearance of white spots on the leaves or their darkening along the edges to a brown tint. You can treat infected bushes with copper sulfate or Euparen. For white spotting, you can also use Falcon, and for brown spotting, Metaxylol.

Important! The best preventive measure to prevent many diseases of strawberries growing in a greenhouse is periodic ventilation.

When air humidity is high, white rot or powdery mildew can form. Proper ventilation of the greenhouse can neutralize most of the spores of these bacteria. Copper sulfate or soap solution will help with powdery mildew.

Common strawberry diseases

The most common root disease is late blight, which affects the root system and the plant dies. All diseased bushes must be removed to prevent the infection from progressing. Slowly developing seedlings may be infected with late blight; it is better to treat them with Quadrix.

Cleaning the soil from weeds and insects

Before planting, the land must be carefully prepared. It is recommended to dig it up, then check for the presence of roots of perennial weeds, as well as wintering reserves of the pest. It is best to thoroughly steam it with boiling water after cleaning the soil. But this method is suitable for small quantities.

On a large area we do this:

• in the spring we remove a layer of earth 10 cm thick;
• We dig a hole 1x1 m and put the removed layers there;
• Place the last layer with the roots facing up;
• pour warm water over everything and cover with film;
• leave air gaps at ground level.

Over the course of several months, the soil will be steamed under the film. Afterwards the soil needs to be sifted. Done, ready to use.

In addition, garden soil may be full of harmful insect larvae and spores of various fungal diseases. They can be eliminated using special preparations for soil treatment. Among them are Fitosporin, Intavir, Aktara and Quadris.

As you can see, preparatory and planting work can be time-consuming. But the right location, well-formed beds, ideal soil and timely fertilizing can be the key to an excellent harvest in the future. And already next season you will be able to pamper yourself with delicious berries grown on your own plot, equipped with your own hands.

Features of the greenhouse strawberry business

The taste and dietary properties of this berry are beyond praise. But under natural conditions, it bears fruit for no more than a month - from late May to early July, depending on the climate zone. This time is not enough even to simply enjoy the taste. Therefore, the strawberry business in greenhouses, which allows supplying this product to the market throughout the year, is, although expensive, but also very profitable.

Advantages

Growing strawberries in protected soil has advantages over a business based on the use of open plantations. This:

• The ability to make a profit all year round, and not just during the season;

For reference. It is best to plant remontant varieties of this berry crop, which produce crops several times a season.

• Elimination of the influence of negative weather conditions on planting and, as a result, the safety of the entire harvest;
• Protection of plants from insects and other pests;
• The possibility of constructing multi-tiered beds, which requires less land area;

Growing strawberries on shelves

• Quick payback of costs - with the right approach to business, the price of a greenhouse, equipment and planting material is “recovered” in one season;
• High profitability, reaching 75-100%.

Flaws

As in any business, it is impossible to do without difficulties when starting and running it. First of all, this concerns large initial costs related to the construction of a greenhouse (see How to build a greenhouse for strawberries: stages of work), its equipment for growing berries that are quite demanding on environmental conditions, and the purchase of planting material.

For reference. The primary costs of growing strawberries in greenhouses are approximately 10 times higher than in open ground. Of course, income will be higher in the near future, but not everyone has the opportunity to invest a large sum of money in a business.

Additional costs that strawberries will require - greenhouses must be heated and lit in accordance with the needs of the crop, and these are constant costs. In addition, in isolated growing conditions, the berries will have to be pollinated artificially.

Lighting and heating are especially expensive in the cold season

Finally, with all the desire and diligence of the gardener, the taste and aroma of greenhouse berries will not be natural, and will not compare with the taste and smell of strawberries grown under the hot summer sun in open ground.

Caring for strawberries in vertical beds

Strawberries should be maintained in the same way as those growing in horizontal beds.

There are nuances of care, we will consider them.

1. Watering. Since there is little soil in the boxes, it dries out faster. The frequency of irrigation will need to be determined experimentally, examining the soil every day. Water carefully from a bottle or watering can. It is best to arrange drip irrigation with adjustable droppers. Then the plants will receive a certain portion of water.
2. Feeding. Soil depletion in vertical beds occurs faster. Therefore, fertilizers must be applied frequently. Liquid solutions are combined with watering and applied once a week. The nutrient solution is diluted with organic water in a ratio of 10:1. Mineral fertilizers are diluted according to the instructions.
3. Pyramid beds do not require weeding.

A vertical bed with strawberries is installed in a sunny place, away from trees.

A bed made of burlap or polyethylene

The Dutch came up with the idea of ​​growing strawberries in bags. Initially, this was a variant of a regular bed with film, but later the bags began to be laid in several tiers, making maximum use of the space.

In addition to the fact that such beds do not need to be weeded and are convenient to cultivate, it is much easier to replace the soil mixture in them, which, in the case of cultivating remontant strawberries, is depleted quite quickly. Compared to the pipes described above, this will not be difficult.

If burlap is used, the surface of the bed receives enough air, but if polyethylene is used, small holes must be made in it to ventilate the soil.

Bags can also be hung, but only if the greenhouse frame is strong enough for such loads. This is interesting: according to Dutch technology, each plant after fruiting is replaced with a new one, rather than waiting for the next wave. This significantly increases the yield per square meter. The only disadvantage of this solution is the constant need for planting material.

Covering vertical strawberry beds for the winter

You can’t just leave a pyramid with seedlings over the winter. A thin layer of soil will freeze and the strawberries will die.

Before frost, the bed is covered with agrofibre and spruce branches on top.

Craftsmen build a vertical bed on wheels. Then such a structure is simply rolled into an outbuilding until spring.

Over time, the novice gardener will gain his own experience. And he will have his own methods and secrets of growing strawberries in a pyramid-bed.

Watch the video: multi-tiered strawberry bed

You may also find the following materials useful:

• What to put in the hole when planting strawberries?
• Everything you need to know about watering grapes in the summer
• Why doesn't apricot bear fruit? Basic ways to solve the problem
• Formative pruning of the currant crown will provide all parts of the plant with sunlight
• Fertilizing strawberries: from bud formation to fruiting

Formation of seedlings

A strawberry seedling is a tendril sprouted from the mother bush. When forming a mustache, you need to follow certain rules in order to get good planting material:

• No more than two mustaches should be left on one bush;
• the shoots that form from the daughter mustache must be cut off, otherwise they will take away its strength and the seedling will not form well;
• after 2-3 weeks, the root of the mustache begins to form, during this period it is necessary to provide abundant watering and dig it in;
• when the mustache has become strong, you need to cut off the stem connecting it to the mother bush.

Strawberry bush

The most mature seedlings with a developed root system are selected for planting. The greenhouse can provide space for temporary planting of bushes, which will need to be replanted after root formation.

When choosing varieties for planting in a greenhouse, you should pay attention to remontant varieties that produce several harvests per year. The most popular of them are: Queen Elizabeth, Brighton, Diva F1, Albion. They are distinguished by large berries, increased productivity and are quite easy to care for. You can also get a good harvest by planting the following varieties in a greenhouse: Moscow Delicacy, Lyubava, Flora, Chudo Likhonosova, Temptation.

Location

On a personal plot, the place for the greenhouse should be flat, not swampy (a low-lying area will not work) and located close to the house. There should be no buildings or trees nearby that could cast a shadow on the greenhouse.

Building a greenhouse in close proximity to your home has a number of advantages. This makes it easier and cheaper to provide communications to it - water and electricity. Some gardeners even attach it to the house. During the cold season, you can get into the greenhouse without going outside.