Vertical Columns With Strawberries. Creating A "masterpiece"

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Having thoroughly analyzed all the pros and cons of the method of vertical cultivation of large-fruited strawberries, many people have a desire to try this method on their site. Therefore, gardeners have natural questions: “What does this“miracle”consist of? How to make it yourself? " We will try to answer them in more detail

Let's start implementing the project. We will need the following materials:

• construction mesh with a large mesh;

• matt thick polyethylene (transparent and dark will not work, the roots overheat);

• wire for binding and fastening;

• soil;

• chopped straw or hay;

• pebbles or gravel;

• sacking made of synthetic material;

• plastic pipe with holes 4-5 cm in diameter (two plugs for it);

• bucket or wide basin;

• sharp knife;

• strawberry seedlings;

• watering can with water.

For better stability, the structure is driven in at 0.4-0.5 m into the ground, depending on its height. If you are planning a mobile model, then the bottom of the net is inserted into a 10 liter bucket or a plastic bowl with holes in the bottom and sides in the lower half.

The diameter of the mesh, twisted into a roll, fixed with wire, is within 0, 6-0, 9 m (too small a volume of soil will not allow a good harvest). At the bottom, in a layer of 20 cm, small pebbles are poured.

Holes of 0.5-0.7 cm are drilled in a plastic pipe (for irrigation). Wrap it with burlap to prevent the holes from clogging up with soil and roots. At the lower and upper ends, plugs are placed from any available material. Set on stones in the middle of the "column". Fix the top with a wire, exposing it 10 cm above the cylinder itself (it is more convenient to water, the earth will not fall into the pipe).

On the inside, the mesh is lined with several layers of matte film (the roots do not like light). The entire space between the plastic pipe and the polyethylene is filled with a moistened mixture of soil and straw. Soil composition: sand, humus, peat in a ratio of 1: 1: 2. Tamp it tightly. Allow 3 days to shrink.

At a height of 50 cm from the surface of the earth, cuts are made in a checkerboard pattern every 15-20 cm, gradually moving upward. If it is planned to lay the "column" horizontally for wintering, then the place is left untouched on the back side.

Seedlings are planted in the cuts, well pressing the roots to the ground. During watering, the plug is removed from the upper end of the center pipe. Through it, the nutrient solution and water are fed in small portions. As soon as the liquid stops quickly leaving, watering is stopped. For 3 days, the seedlings are shaded for better rooting.

Further care consists of regular watering, depending on the weather, feeding 1 time in 10 days with the complex fertilizer "Zdraven" 1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water.

In the fall, the formed mustache is cut off. Planted in a garden bed. The vertical structure for the winter is laid horizontally, insulated with hay and non-woven material in the south. In Central Russia, they are additionally buried with snow.

In the spring, they are freed from the shelter, gradually accustoming the plants to light so that there are no leaf burns. With the onset of a stable temperature above 2-3 degrees, the "column" is returned to its original place in an upright position. Water, feed, remove dried leaves. If there are dead specimens, then they are replaced with new ones from the garden beds.

As it grows, the number of horns increases, the cuts of the film are expanded so that the bushes do not pinch, develop freely and bear fruit.

It is more expedient to conduct this experiment in a greenhouse in order to prolong the consumption of sweet, aromatic strawberries. If in winter in a greenhouse or on the street the temperature does not drop below +2 degrees (southern regions), then the vertical "beds" are not covered, leaving them in place.