How to water strawberry seedlings?

Strawberry is a herbaceous plant, and improper watering can easily lead to the death of strawberry seedlings. Therefore, it is particularly important to do a good job of watering strawberries. Watering crops seems simple, but the simpler things are, the more careful you need to be. So how do you water the strawberry seedlings ? Let’s take a look below.

1. How to water strawberry seedlings?

1. Keep the soil moist: Strawberries like moist soil, but don't like it to be overly soaked. Keep the soil moist, but don't let water pool on the surface or around the roots. Check soil moisture regularly and water as needed.

2. Avoid overwatering: Overwatering may cause strawberry root diseases and rot. Make sure the soil has enough time to dry out between watering to avoid overwatering.

3. Watering in the morning: It is best to water in the morning so that the strawberry plants have enough time to absorb water during the day. Avoid watering at night, as wet leaves may increase the risk of disease.

4. Direct watering: Try to avoid spraying water over the strawberry plants as this may cause damage to the fruits and leaves. It is best to use direct watering methods, injecting water into the soil to ensure that the water fully penetrates the roots.

5. Cover and retain moisture: You can cover the strawberry plants with a layer of organic mulch, such as hay or wood chips, to reduce water evaporation and help keep the soil moist.

6. Observe the condition of the plant: Closely observe the condition of the strawberry plants, including the shape and color of the leaves. If the leaves begin to wilt or show signs of yellowing, it may be a sign of over- or under-watering and you will need to adjust your watering accordingly.

2. How to grow strawberries?

1. Site selection: Strawberries prefer neutral or slightly acidic soil with good sunlight, high terrain, and good drainage. The soil should have good water retention properties and be rich in organic matter.

2. Soil preparation: Before planting, deep plowing and fertilization should be carried out to ensure that the soil is fertile and loose. An appropriate amount of sandy soil can be added to improve the soil structure and increase air permeability.

3. Variety selection: Choose a suitable strawberry variety based on local soil and climate conditions. Make sure the selected varieties have good disease and pest resistance and high yield performance.

4. Planting: The planting time for strawberries is generally in autumn (late September to early October) or spring (March to April), depending on the local climate. When transplanting, the seedlings should have 5 to 6 leaves fully expanded. Before planting, compound fertilizer and organic fertilizer can be applied as base fertilizer.

5. Subsequent management:

(1) Watering: Strawberries need plenty of water, but avoid waterlogging. When sunny days continue, water should be applied every 5 to 7 days to keep the soil moist. When watering, be careful to avoid wetting the leaves directly to avoid causing diseases.

(2) Fertilization: Strawberries have a high demand for fertilizer , especially during the growing period and the flowering and fruiting period. Phosphorus fertilizer, nitrogen fertilizer and potassium fertilizer can be applied regularly to meet the growth needs of strawberries. At the same time, pay attention to controlling the amount of fertilizer used to avoid excessive fertilization that may lead to a decline in fruit quality or burn the seedlings.

(3) Loosening the soil and weeding: Regular tillage and loosening of the soil is beneficial to root growth and soil aeration. At the same time, weeds in the fields should be removed in time to reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases and nutrient consumption.

(4) Pest and disease control: Strawberries are susceptible to diseases such as powdery mildew and gray mold, as well as insect pests such as red spider mites and aphids. Comprehensive prevention and control measures should be taken, such as strengthening field management, selecting disease-resistant varieties, promptly removing diseased plant leaves and residues, and applying fertilizers and watering reasonably. When pests and diseases occur, chemical agents can be used for prevention and control, but attention must be paid to the use and selection of agents to avoid adverse effects on the environment and strawberries.

That’s it