2004 Year in Review

Time to Mulch Strawberries

Mulching strawberry plants in the late fall is necessary in order to prevent winter injury to the crowns and root system. Although snow cover is the best protection (6 to 8 inches), it is not dependable throughout the winter months in Illinois. So, mulches are used to keep winter injury to a minimum.

The best mulching materials are weed-free straw from cereal grains (wheat, rye, or barley) and pine needles. Avoid hays because they contain the seed heads and other weed seeds that, once germinated, could become a serious weed problem the following spring. Oat straw, lawn clippings, and leaves are also not recommended because they more readily compact and have a tendency to smother the strawberry plants.

Timing of the mulch application is critical. Strawberry leaves are still active well into late autumn, and applying mulch too early in the fall can reduce the plant’s ability to produce and store reserves needed for winter survival. If the mulch is applied too soon, before plants are dormant, the mulch can cause rotting of the leaves and crowns. If mulch is delayed too late, low temperatures could damage crowns.

The best time to apply mulch is after the strawberry plants have experienced several light frosts, but before temperatures drop to 20 degrees, at which point injury can occur. After several light frosts, the leaves attached to the crown should begin to flatten out, signaling the time to mulch. In Illinois, this is usually the last of November.

Apply mulch 3 to 4 inches deep over the plant rows. One bale of straw pulled apart should cover about 100 square feet. In the spring when temperatures begin to warm, remove the mulch as soon as there are signs of new leaf growth under it. The mulch can be forked off or hand removed, and placed in the row middles or aisles. But, don’t remove all the mulch – keep approximately one-fourth of the mulch in the planting row to aid in weed control, moisture conservation, and to keep the berries free of splashed mud. The strawberry plants will be able to grow through this light covering of mulch. The mulch in the aisle makes the strawberry bed much more accessible during wet weather, and it also helps smother weeds. Mulch kept in the aisle is also readily available should you need to re-cover the plants during cold periods in the spring.

Re-cover strawberry plants any time the temperature is expected to drop below 32 degrees, then uncover them again as soon as temperatures rise above freezing.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
November 23, 2004