How and when to trim strawberries
Let's figure out in what period, when it is better to cut strawberries at their summer cottage, so as not to harm the plant. Why is it needed and how to do it correctly.
When growing strawberries, sooner or later the question arises when and how to cut them. Experienced gardeners are divided. Some believe that it needs to be cut in the summer, others that in the fall.
In fact, pruning should be done in both summer and fall.
When to trim strawberries
Spring pruning
Summer pruning
There is a statement by some gardeners that in summer strawberries should be pruned before July 20, but others believe that this can be done in August. It is in August that it is better to cut the bush, since it no longer bears fruit.
After harvesting, the bushes are freed from the excess mass of whiskers, cutting them off, and only those that are needed for seedlings are left. Namely, the first outlets from the bush.
Autumn pruning
It is necessary that the bushes be cut off for the winter, but remain with young shoots that have grown in the fall.
How to trim strawberries
This should be done on a cloudy, dry day without a bright sun, preferably in the morning or evening. For this procedure, you need secateurs or very sharp scissors. But, it is worth knowing that you cannot tear off the antennae with your hands, since they are stronger than the root system of the plant. If you do it with your hands, you can damage the entire bush.
Cutting the leaves to the very root is not worth it, after pruning, stalks 10 cm long should remain, and only leaf blades need to be removed. If you do this, the growth point will be preserved, from which young shoots will then grow.
As for damaged, unhealthy whiskers and leaves, as mentioned above, it is imperative to remove them, since they are carriers of diseases. You can trim off all the strawberry foliage if needed.
For plant propagation, you need to leave the antennae with healthy rosettes, they are the first from the bush. If the reproduction of strawberries is not expected, then absolutely all shoots from the bushes must be cut off, otherwise the harvest will be weak and the fruits are small.