How to grow strawberries in pyramids?

Garden strawberries, or, as they are commonly called, strawberries, are everyone's favorite delicacy. The labor involved in growing it is considerable, but during the harvest season you will feel like you have won a big victory. And in order to enjoy not only the sweet taste of red berries, but also the aesthetic appearance, there is a great way - growing strawberries in pyramids.

General concepts

The method got its name from the shape of the structure, which is being built for planting. It consists of several steps located one above the other. Moreover, each next one is smaller in size than the previous one. The steps can be interconnected or suspended above each other. The structure narrows upwards and takes on the shape of a pyramid. This is one of the types of vertical planting, used to grow not only strawberries, but also flowers, greenery, ampelous plants.

The place for strawberries is chosen as illuminated as possible, since the culture does not tolerate darkening well. Frequent watering will be required, so access to a water supply should be as convenient as possible. Considering that all the tiers need to be maintained, the structural elements must ensure the accessibility of the upper "floors".

Advice

It should be borne in mind that the less nutritional area is allocated for one plant, the more often strawberries need to be watered.

Vertical bed device

Various materials are used for the device: wooden boards, plastic shields, metal corners or plates, burlap, plastic wrap, old car tires of different diameters, etc. Leftovers from construction are quite suitable: bricks, stones, blocks. Let's consider the general principles of pyramid construction using a wooden frame as an example.

The shape of the structure can be rectangular, rounded, triangular and others. The length of each side should be calculated so that the distance between the plants is at least 25 cm. Therefore, the size can be chosen as any multiple of this number. Each next box is 50 cm less, then the number of plants with each row up will decrease by two, which will ensure growing in optimal conditions. Given this pattern, it is easy to calculate the number of tiers and seedlings for planting.

Work procedure

1. The area for the bed is freed from weeds, leveled.
2. The base is covered with a netting or geotextile.
3. Install the first box, pre-treated with an antiseptic.
4. Filled with prepared fertile soil and compacted.
5. In the center, a pipe with holes is fixed for watering strawberries and improving air exchange.
6. Along the height around the pipe, a layer of compost and manure is formed cone-shaped, which will serve as top dressing and, when decaying, heat the bed.
7. The next box is installed, covered with soil. It should be remembered that the soil layer on the side of the manure layer should be at least 20 cm, since when planting in manure, the root system of the plant may die even with sufficient watering.

The procedure for assembling a pyramidal bed from other materials is similar, but if its width is small, then you can do without a pipe in the center, and water it directly under the plant.

Planting

Growing plants vertically is not very different from traditional methods, but there are some points to pay attention to.

• Since the feeding area in the pyramids is limited, planting must be done in well-prepared soil. It includes humus or black soil, peat, sand (2: 1: 1). Dolomite flour, chalk or wood ash and mineral fertilizers are added.
• The soil must be filled up at least 7-10 days before planting so that it is compacted and evenly saturated with moisture.
• For vertical planting, you can use any strawberry varieties of different ripening periods. Plants with a strong aerial part will require a more sparse planting, and the distance between steps should be increased. Considering this, it is better to choose varieties with low tops. The most effective will look remontant varieties, that is, with repeated fruiting during the growing season. All summer long, the plants will delight with flowers and ripening berries. The cultivation of ampel varieties that hang down the whips has proven itself well.
• Planting is carried out with seedlings with a good root system, rooted mustache rosettes of the first or second order. Plants are buried in such a way that the root collar is at the level of the soil surface - not higher or lower.

Advice

When immersing the roots in the hole, you must ensure that they are located strictly vertically. Plants with folded roots will not provide good growth and productivity.

Planting care

Growing in pyramids requires regular watering due to the fact that the area is limited and the plants cannot tolerate a lack of moisture. This is perhaps the main concern. The most efficient irrigation method is the drip irrigation system. To preserve moisture, cover the soil with mulching materials (film, textiles, sawdust, straw) is used.

During the growing season, the soil is loosened and weeds are removed. Mineral dressings are made: in the spring, the dose of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) in a ratio of 3: 1: 4, during the period of ovary appearance - 2: 1: 4, after harvesting - 2: 1: 3.

Watering and feeding plants must be done in the morning or evening under the bush, avoiding contact with leaves and fruits.

In order to prevent freezing of plantings in winter, the pyramids are covered with any synthetic covering material or coniferous branches.

The given method of growing strawberries has certain advantages, but it also requires additional time and money for the construction of structures. However, it will provide aesthetic pleasure throughout the summer and a good harvest of fresh berries with proper care.