Proper Irrigation of Strawberries

Do I need to water strawberries? Judge for yourself: its roots are in the upper layer of the soil, at a shallow depth. This means that "get" moisture from the layers of deeper strawberries can not. When flowering and ripening berries on soils (light sandy loamy), it is necessary to adhere to the optimum humidity of 70%, later (after the harvest is collected) the soil moisture is reduced by 20%. On soils more severe, the indicator can grow to 80%. Of course, one must also take into account the climate with its nuances: abundant rains, drought, winds, temperature changes, etc. The correct watering of the strawberry and the determination of watering rates are reflected in the quality and quantity of the crop.

On the day of planting seedlings for better survival should be a daily three-time watering (minimum 0.5 liters per plant) for 15 days. Then the humidification of the earth is less frequent (once, every other day).

Irrigation of strawberries is also required during fruiting, and in dry weather it should be daily. It is important not to overdo it - the "stuffed" strawberry will be sour, slightly aromatic, rotting of berries (even unripe ones) can start right on the bush, and if there is insufficient watering, the berries and leaves open to the sun get real burns. In both cases the yield decreases significantly.

Irrigation of strawberries can be carried out in various ways.

1. Watering can, manually. The method is suitable for small beds and in the case where a certain dosing is required.

2. Watering can, from a hose. The most common way, familiar to almost all truck farmers. The device for irrigation (watering can) is attached directly to the hose. Such a watering can be held in hands, it can be installed on supports (usually iron pins). Minus this type of watering - in the uneven moistening of the land, not to mention the economy. In addition, a strong pressure can cause blurring of the soil and denudation of the root system, cold water provokes multiple diseases.

3. Sprinkler irrigation. Sprinkling of strawberries is done by moving units (must move), some equipment can be installed underground. Suitable for large areas. The optimal arrangement of sprinklers is triangular-chess, with a distance of 12-14 m (with wind no more than 16 km / h and outlet pressure - in a nebulizer - 9 kg / sq. Cm). By sprinkling, you can not only increase the humidity, but also lower the temperature.

4. System watering using sprinklers - drip and micro droplet systems (internal and end). The former are suitable for bagging (container) cultivation, the latter for normal (terrestrial) beds. Among such systems, the most popular are those that allow you to regulate the flow of water. The main advantage - in the direct supply of life-giving moisture directly to the roots.

Drip irrigation is the most promising and convenient watering of strawberries, supporting the soil, where the roots of the plant are, in a wet state. In this case, the aisles remain dry, which means that the number of weeds decreases. Such watering of the strawberry eliminates the losses due to evaporation. Among its undoubted merits is the absence of ground crusts.