
If you’re planning to plant strawberries in your backyard, you should know that you can avoid having your plants fall into the ground by following these simple and creative ideas. For starters, you can mulch around your plants, or even rake up the grass clippings you leave on the ground and place them over your plants. This will help keep the plants from getting too wet and prevent them from rotting. You can also make vertical hanging planters to keep your plants off the ground.
Mulch
When growing strawberries, you need to keep the soil from drying out. This can be done with a mulch. You can choose between straw, sawdust, and wood chips.
Straw is an excellent choice because it is easy to work with. It is a good insulator and keeps the strawberries off the ground.
However, it is important to choose seed-free straw. This is because you don’t want seeds to germinate in the strawberry bed. Grass clippings are also a good mulch. They are rich in nitrogen, so they stimulate leaf growth.
Wood chips are good for areas where there is a lot of wind. They also keep the soil moist. These chips are available at garden centers and nurseries.
Sawdust mulch works well in neutral soil. It helps suppress weed growth and absorbs nitrogen through decomposition. Be sure the mulch is old and nitrogen-treated.
Plastic sheeting is another option for mulch. It’s effective before planting and all year round. But it’s best for between rows of strawberries.
Conifer needle mulch is thorny and acidic. However, it is good for protecting your strawberries from pests and disease. The cone debris is useful because it can be mixed with ash.
Vertical hanging planters
When you are looking for a way to grow strawberries, you should consider using a vertical hanging planter. This will not only keep them off the ground, it will also prevent water damage.
You can use old PVC pipes and rain gutters to make a planter. Then you can hang it on a fence, porch, or wall.
Vertical strawberry planters are also popular for indoor planting. They are a great way to make use of limited space. Keeping strawberries off the ground means they are easy to harvest.
Using a vertical strawberry planter is a great way to ensure that you get a steady supply of fresh berries. There are several different types available on the market. Some are made of plastic, while others are wooden. A number of them offer stacking systems, making the most of your growing space.
If you are looking for a more economical option, you might consider buying a plastic laundry basket. These baskets are cheap and will help you create a unique planter box for your garden.
Another creative solution is to build your own strawberry tower. There are many DIY instructions online. Just make sure to get a large enough post for the tower.
Grass clippings
If you’re looking for a great mulch for strawberries, grass clippings are a perfect choice. They provide an organic material that helps keep weeds out of the garden. In addition, they give the soil a boost of nitrogen.
Grass clippings are free and readily available. You can also get them from your local municipal composting facility. Grass clippings are usually available during the summer months. It’s a good idea to store them in a dry place.
For the best results, use grass clippings that are dried. Apply them in layers. This will encourage the growth of foliage. Be sure to apply them every two weeks.
When applying grass clippings as mulch, the amount of mulch needed depends on how much space you have. A thick layer may not only look unsightly, it can also contribute to mold and rot. To prevent these problems, try to keep the thickness of your mulch to a minimum.
Using wood chips as mulch is a good option, especially if you live in an area that experiences a lot of wind. Wood chips are attractive and help to keep weeds from growing. However, if you want to get the most out of your mulch, you should be careful to choose the right size and shape.