Wild strawberry is a popular “wild” berry with a piquant taste. In addition, it is very healthy, and preparations made from it add summer notes to cold winter days. Wild strawberries are suitable for growing in the garden, but only if certain conditions for growth are created and proper care is provided. Then it will be less susceptible to phytopathologies, and the yield will reach a high level.
Is it possible to grow wild strawberries in the country?
Wild strawberries can be grown at the dacha or in the garden; this process does not require any special effort.However, for culture, it is still necessary to create a special microclimate and proper conditions. You should start by choosing a place to plant the plant.
In addition, you need to prepare planting material that will take root in your summer cottage. You also need to take care of the composition of the soil, then growing wild strawberries will only bring pleasant troubles.
The benefits of culture
Wild strawberries are valued higher than garden strawberries due to their range of useful vitamin and mineral compounds. They determine the enormous benefits of wild berries for human health. Abundantly enriched culture:
- vitamin C;
- citric, malic acids;
- B vitamins;
- iron;
- phosphorus;
- manganese
And many other useful substances. Due to this composition, strawberries contribute to:
- eliminating inflammation;
- removing excess fluid from the body;
- decrease in body temperature;
- regulation of blood glucose levels;
- removing toxins from the body;
- stabilization of digestion;
- stimulation of hematopoiesis;
- providing a diuretic effect.
Areas of application
Wild strawberries are used in several areas:
- culinary;
- traditional medicine;
- home and professional cosmetology.
The berry is used in the manufacture of dietary supplements, food supplements and dietary breakfasts.
Landing Features
If you comply with all the conditions for planting wild strawberries, then subsequent care for them will be very simple.
Place and dates
It is recommended to place beds for planting strawberries in an open area, sufficiently lit and well protected from the wind. You should not use high ground for growing crops, since the strawberry root system is located close to the soil surface. The soil for the plant is neutral or slightly acidic, well enriched with humus.
It is better to plant planting material at the end of May or beginning of June - this way the seedlings will take root faster. The optimal time for work is early morning, evening (after sunset) or a cloudy/rainy day.
Landing technology
To grow strawberries in open ground, you need to plant them according to the following algorithm:
- Make small holes in the prepared area. The distance between them should not be less than 30-40 centimeters.
- Place the planting material in the ground so that its root system is completely “hidden” there.
- Pour about 0.5 liters of water into each cavity.
- Spread the rhizomes and sprinkle with a small layer of soil. Lightly press the soil with your hands to compact it.
The last stage is abundant watering. For 15-20 outlets, 10 liters of water is enough. To plant strawberries according to the described algorithm, it will take several hours.
Rules of care
Caring for wild strawberries growing in a summer cottage garden means:
- removing dry leaves and dead tendrils: this must be done in the spring;
- regular loosening of the soil, which is also best done in the spring;
- constant hilling of the earth;
- regular watering after the end of the main periods - flowering, harvesting, fruiting, and the formation of flower buds.
Wild strawberries do not need to be covered with film for the winter and early spring.It has good frost resistance, unlike the garden variety.
The plant also needs to be fed periodically. For this, mullein, wood ash, saltpeter, ammonium, superphosphate and other fertilizers are used.
Reproduction
Strawberries can be propagated from seeds, but the most popular method is based on the use of mustaches. They are pre-selected, after which they are lightly removed and transplanted to a previously prepared place. Planting is carried out according to the previously described scheme. The mustache takes root quickly, it does not cause any trouble and does not require any additional measures.
Diseases and pests
Strawberries are most often attacked:
- Raspberry-strawberry weevil. You can get rid of it using a decoction of tansy or the drug “Inta-vir”.
- Strawberry mite. It can be easily removed with an infusion of onion peels.
- Slugs. To combat them, tobacco dust, lime or wood ash in combination with superphosphate are used.
- Powdery mildew. To eliminate it, the plant is sprayed with a soap solution with soda ash.
- Gray rot. The fight against it is carried out using garlic water.
If the crop has been affected by spotting, it is advisable to use 1% Bordeaux mixture.
Harvest and storage
Berry picking begins in the first ten days of July and continues until August. Baskets, boxes or boxes with a capacity of no more than 3-4 kg are suitable for placing fruits. Berries in such containers remain intact and can be stored for several days.
The product can remain in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. If the fruits are not damaged, they will not begin to rot quickly. But to do this, you should refuse to wash them. Frozen strawberries remain good for up to a year, canned ones for about 6 months.Shelf life also depends on the method of preparation - jam, compote, jam, marshmallow.
Wild strawberries are very easy to grow in your summer cottage. This is an unpretentious crop that gives a good harvest. It is enough to carry out basic measures to care for the plant so that it has strong immunity and consistently bears fruit from year to year.
