Top Strategies for Shielding Your Strawberries from both Pest Infestations and Diseases
Article:
Hey there, gardening enthusiast!
Ever wondered why Portlanders are so passionate about strawberries? Well, it's all about dealing with pesky bugs, wildlife, and diseases that threaten these juicy gems. Growing strawberries? You'll soon learn their vulnerabilities and ways to protect them.
Grow 'em Up High
Strawberries are ground cover, but keep them off the ground! That's the secret to a good harvest. Plants slowly spread via runners to create new plants, and berries usually touch the ground. Here, they're exposed to prolonged moisture, easier for bugs, and harder for you to spot. So, avoid ground contact!
Porch pots, gutter systems, or vertical planters elevate strawberries above the nasties. Each has its benefits and challenges, and you'll need moisture-retaining soil like potting soil and a suitable fertilizer.
Elevating strawberries means less soil for roots, drier soil, and no protection from winter's chill. But hey, living life on the edge yields rewards! Easy sunlight, airflow around berries, protection from ground pests, and ripe, ready berries make it worthwhile.
Modern, lightweight planter $27.20 at Amazon | 3-tier self-watering planter $27.99 at Amazon | Tall tower $45.99 at Amazon $59.99 Save $14.00
If you can't go vertical, consider ground-level supports. These miniature trellises lift your plant, keeping berries off the dirt. Remember, get them on early in the season while the plant is small, and explore multiple providers. DIY 3D printing is also an option!
Pest Control!
Growing on the ground can be a pest's paradise. Pill bugs, slugs, and rodents love the red and juicy strawberries. But with some elbow grease and clever tricks, you can fight back.
For pill bugs, try diatomaceous earth (DE), but you'll need several applications. DE is popular for its "non-toxic" nature, but for slug control, you'll need Sluggo —iron phosphate-based treatment that shouldn't be overused.
To fool birds, paint small red rocks the size of strawberries and place them among the berries. Birds may peck the rocks, gradually learning to stay away from the patch. It sounds dubious, but it works—trust me!
Growing strawberries? Embrace the challenge and enjoy the rewards of your labor with delicious, pest-free fruits! Happy gardening!
Insight:
Protecting strawberries in a vertical planter or gutter system requires considerations for elevation, light, and water, and involves using moisture-retaining soil and a suitable fertilizer. Pest control involves barriers like fine mesh covers, natural pest controls, or beneficial insects like ladybugs. Disease prevention includes removing infected parts, sanitizing tools, and using copper-based products. Choosing disease-resistant varieties, regular inspections, and watering consistency are also essential.
[1] vertikal-gardening.com/strawberries/[2] gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/strawberries/growing-strawberries.htm[3] thespruce.com/growing-strawberries-3182216[4] sunset.com/gardening/fruit/strawberries/strawberry-tips-@60613413[5] gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/strawberries/strawberry-pests.htm[6] clearingallcannock.co.uk/diy-home-and-garden/keeping-pests-away-from-your-strawberries/[7] gardeningknowhow.com/fruit/strawberries/disc1451/strawberry-disease-problems.htm[8] gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/strategy-for-diatomaceous-earth.htm[9] sunset.com/gardening/beginners/small-space/strawberries-grown-hydroponically-3328359/[10] academy-gardening.com/blogs/growing-guides/13825940-how-to-grow-strawberries[11] net-grower.com/diy-strawberry-growing-tower/[12] gardenmyths.com/2016/09/birds-eating-ripe-strawberries-fake-strawberries-garden-trick/[13] gardeningchannel.com/Qlist.aspx?ListStat=15[14] strainvidsto strainvidsto gardening-know-how/strawberries/1139
- To elevate strawberries and protect them from ground pests, consider using modern, lightweight planters, 3-tier self-watering planters, or vertical towers, each offering unique advantages and challenges while requiring moisture-retaining soil and suitable fertilizers.
- To combat pests in a ground strawberry patch, employ strategies like using diatomaceous earth for pill bugs, Sluggo for slugs, and painting small red rocks as decoys to deter birds, gradually training them to stay away from the berries.
