Description and characteristics of the Marshall strawberry variety, cultivation and care

Among the unpretentious and highly productive varieties, one can note the Marshall strawberry. It is also valued for its rapid adaptation to growing conditions, its large fruit size and pleasant taste. To grow a rich harvest of strawberries, you need to become more familiar with their main characteristics and features of planting and care.

General information

The author of the fruitful strawberries was the American breeder M. F. Well (1890). After the Second World War, the Marshall variety was already known in Japan and European countries.

Description

Strawberries of the Marshall variety have a powerful and spreading structure. The bush does not exceed 15 cm in height, its root system is quite strong. The stems are straight and strong, the leaf mass is distinguished by a light green color, and the plates externally resemble umbrellas.

According to the description, the Marshall strawberry has thick peduncles on which a large number of flowers are formed. They are large, white, with bright yellow hearts. They peek out just a little above the leaves. When the berries reach their technical maturity, the flower stalks bend towards the ground.

The Marshall variety is positioned as a large-fruited plant, its berries weigh on average 40-60 g, but under favorable growing conditions they can reach 90 g. Their color is bright red, the surface is glossy. The shape is wide wedge-shaped, in the upper part there is a concave nose.

The consumer qualities are excellent: the taste is sweet with a slight sourness, the aroma is rich and strawberry. The pulp is juicy, light red in color and lacks internal cavities. Since the density of the pulp is average, the variety does not tolerate transportation over long distances. But due to its excellent presentation and taste, it is in high demand.

Characteristics

The strawberry variety Marshall belongs to the category of medium ripening. With proper agricultural technology and comfortable climatic conditions, you can harvest up to 1 kg of berries from one bush. The highest productivity indicators are observed in the first year after planting strawberries in a permanent place; in subsequent years they decrease noticeably.

The berry crop is not afraid of sub-zero temperatures and can withstand frosts of -30 °C.It also has a high degree of tolerance to dry weather, as well as many fungal infections.

Advantages and disadvantages of strawberries

Both experienced and novice gardeners note the following positive characteristics of the Marshall variety:

• high taste qualities;
• large fruit;
• excellent yield indicators;
• long fruiting period;
• friendly ripening of fruits;
• sufficient resistance to adverse environmental factors;
• good survival rate;
• universal purpose of fruits;
• increased immunity to major ailments;
• frost resistance;
• drought resistance;
• high ability to form a mustache;
• there is no need for additional feeding.

But, despite the whole list of advantages, Marshall strawberries also have some disadvantages:

• low degree of transportability;
• decrease in yield in the second year after planting;
• the need for regular removal of antennae.

Taking into account the strengths and weaknesses of the berry crop, it is possible to harvest the richest possible harvest.

Growing the Marshall variety

Although strawberries do not belong to capricious crops, for better rooting and vegetation, it is necessary to adhere to certain recommendations.

The right time

The optimal time for planting is early spring, when warm weather sets in and the threat of return frosts has passed. In regions with a warm climate, Marshall strawberries can be planted in late autumn. It is recommended to plant seedlings in a permanent place 2-3 weeks before the onset of cold weather.

Selecting a location and soil requirements

To provide Marshall strawberries with favorable conditions for growth, it is necessary to plant them in sufficiently illuminated fields that are protected from draft winds.It is best if the place for planting strawberries is on the south side of the area with a flat surface.

An area where moisture constantly accumulates during precipitation is not suitable for growing berries. Soil with excessive moisture provokes the development of putrefactive processes on the root system of plants.

It is more advisable to plant strawberries in beds where garlic, onions, legumes, radishes, herbs, and carrots previously grew. But the places where potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini and cucumbers previously grew are not suitable for planting garden strawberries. The soil for strawberries should be slightly acidic, sandy loam or loamy. Also with good air and moisture permeability.

Before planting, the soil needs to be loosened and fertilized with organic matter. If the soil is loamy, then you need to add sawdust, sand, and wood ash. To avoid infection of seedlings with pathogenic microorganisms, when digging the soil, remove all weeds along with the roots.

Preparation of seedlings

Before planting plants in the ground, they are processed. The roots are immersed in a solution of potassium permanganate for several minutes and washed with clean water. For better rooting, you can soak them in a growth stimulator solution.

Planting scheme

Considering the active growth of the upper part of the strawberries, when planting, it is recommended to maintain a distance of 25 cm between seedlings, and 80 cm between rows. Bushes can also be planted diagonally.

Strawberry planting technology:

• Dig holes, the depth of which is determined by the size of the plant roots.
• Place the seedlings in the holes, straighten the roots.
• Sprinkle with soil and tamp down.
• Water generously.

After a few days, the soil needs to be loosened to prevent the formation of a crust on the surface.

Nuances of caring for the variety

The main measures for caring for Marshall strawberries include: removing weeds, loosening, moistening the soil, carrying out protective manipulations against diseases and pests.

Watering and fertilizing

From the beginning of the growing season, strawberries need to be irrigated regularly until harvest. The optimal time for procedures is morning and evening hours. Watering is done at the root. In hot weather, the bushes are moistened 2-3 times a week.

Feeding procedures are carried out in May, early summer and autumn; it is especially important to provide nutrition at the stage of flowering and ovary formation. It is best to use herbal infusions, a solution of chicken, wood ash, and mullein for these purposes. In case of thinning of the shoots, potassium sulfate, ash or potassium nitrate is used.

Weeding and loosening

To prevent oxygen starvation and ensure access of moisture to strawberry roots, you need to regularly destroy weeds and loosen the soil. On clogged soils, the crop grows frail.

Mulching

To retain moisture in the soil, mulch - straw - is used. In addition, this agricultural technique allows you to reduce the growth of weeds, avoid contact of fruits with the soil, and increase the fertility of the site.

Protection from diseases and pests

It is possible to prevent the appearance of parasites on strawberries by treating them with special preparations during the flowering phase and after picking the fruits. It is also effective to plant spicy crops, marigolds, and calendula between plants. You can prevent the development of fungal diseases by spraying the bushes with fungicidal agents and trimming the regrown tendrils.

Strawberry propagation

The Marshall variety can be propagated using seeds, through runners, and by dividing bushes. The first method is more labor-intensive; it is best to use the other two. The first-order mustaches are sprinkled with soil, regularly moistened, and when they take root, they are separated from the mother bush. The divisions should have 3-4 leaves, one shortened shoot and healthy roots.

Harvesting and storage rules

It is recommended to pick strawberries two days before reaching full technical maturity. Place the fruits in one layer in a plastic or wooden container with holes. Harvesting should be done in dry weather. Before storing the berries, cool them to 0-2 °C.

Strawberry Marshall is not a capricious and productive plant that bears fruit in any conditions. The main thing is to follow the correct agricultural techniques and choose high-quality seedlings.