Many people believe that after harvesting the berries strawberries no longer need attention. In reality everything is the opposite. Exactly at the end of July and the beginning of August the bushes start forming flower buds from which next year a new harvest will grow. If during this period you leave the plants without care, large and sweet berries may not be waited for.

Start with cleaning the bed

Carefully examine each bush. Remove dried, yellowed and disease-affected leaves. If the plant has put out many runners and you do not plan to propagate strawberries, it is also better to cut them off. This way the bush will not spend strength in vain.

Do not forget to remove weeds and the remains of old mulch if it has already decomposed.

Watering is needed even if there are no more berries

In hot weather the soil should not dry out completely. Deep watering one or two times a week will be significantly more useful than daily light moistening of the surface. Moisture helps the roots actively develop and accumulate nutrients.

What to feed the strawberries with

After fruiting the plant needs potassium and phosphorus. Exactly these strengthen the root system and promote the laying of future flower buds.

For feeding you can use:

• 1 glass of wood ash per 10 liters of water;
• or ready autumn fertilizer for berry crops without a large amount of nitrogen.

Nitrogen feedings at this time are better not to apply, because they stimulate the growth of new leaves instead of preparation for the next season.

Loosen the soil

After watering or rain carefully loosen the top layer of soil. This will improve air access to the roots and help retain moisture longer.

If possible, mulch the bed with straw, mown dried grass or pine needles. Mulch will restrain weeds and protect the ground from overheating.

Inspect the bushes for diseases

If spots or signs of fungal diseases have appeared on the leaves, do not put off treatment. The healthier the plants enter autumn, the stronger they will start in spring.

Remember: the harvest of next summer begins not in spring, but exactly now. A few hours of work at the end of July can give significantly more large, aromatic and sweet berries already in the next season.

And how do you care for strawberries after harvesting?