Wants to know best growing medium for strawberries?

Strawberries are a great crop for home growers and gardeners. Planting 100 plants can provide enough fruits for a family of 4 to 5 with excess for preserving and freezing them. They are straightforward to grow and you can grow them in a pot, container, or open ground. They look attractive both in fruit and flower and have great foliage. It’s a great combination of patio pots and hanging baskets.

Strawberries are such appealing fruits that can fit into any garden and are inexpensive to buy. Children and youngsters both love them. Strawberry beds can be carried for 3 to 5 years or more if the plants are kept weed-free and properly taken care of every year.

They grow best in sandy loam-rich soil. The soil must be kept well drained and away from wet areas into spring. The plant should be receiving direct sunlight and have a gradual slope. If strawberries are grown on a permanent crop, they should be disease-free and start healthy.

Irrigation is also important for plant growth which is used to prevent frost injury in the spring season. One another important factor in growing strawberries is not planting them where potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants have been grown in the past as they might be carrying the root fungus Verticillium.

A famous method for growing strawberries which is gaining popularity worldwide is the use of coir substrate in a hydroponic system. This use has several advantages and plays a crucial role as it enhances water retention. One reason for its gaining popularity is biodegradability.

The coir is extracted from the fibrous coconut husk and is a sustainable alternative. Its capability to retain moisture and provide enough aeration to the roots makes it a perfect option for strawberry cultivation. Many strawberry growers are shifting to coir due to its excellent results and yields.

Below are the benefits of using Coco Coir for growing strawberries.

Excellent water retention

Coir has an excellent capacity of holding water which can hold moisture providing enough drainage that the strawberry plant has a steady supply of water for healthy growth.

pH Neutrality

Having and maintaining the correct pH value is crucial for the growth of strawberry plants. Coir has a neutral pH value naturally which provides you more control for more specific needs.

Optimal Aeration

Coco coir provides excellent aeration which prevents the compact roots allowing them the best supply of oxygen flow. The proper uninterrupted supply of oxygen is crucial for strawberry plants’ growth preventing the diseases caused by poor drainage.

Environmental Impact

Unlike to traditional soil which involves soil degradation and depletion of nutrients, using coco coir for growing strawberries reduces the need for soil extraction mitigating the environmental degradation and erosion.

Renewable and sustainable

As coco coir is extracted from the coconut it makes it a perfect renewable and ecofriendly source as an alternative to traditional soil. When you choose coir for your planting needs you are automatically contributing to the reduction of waste and supporting sustainable agriculture choices.

Selecting the variety of strawberries is also essential and it depends on several factors like availability of space, desired yield, and the climate. Some of the popular varieties of strawberries are June-bearing Varieties that are harvested in late spring or early summer.

Another one is the everbearing varieties that are growing throughout the year to ensure continuous supply. The day-neutral strawberries grow in a wide range of growing and different climate conditions. The flavor and size of the strawberries depend on the different varieties, some have a more balanced taste whereas some are sweeter. The size can also vary from small to large.

Planting the strawberries.

The following are the steps which are involved when planting strawberries in coco coir.

1. Preparation: Use the pre-moisture coco coir and fill the container leaving a small place on the top.
2. Transplants: when using transplants, it’s important to gently remove them from the pots and place them in holes in the coco coir making sure the crown is leveled with the soil surface.
3. Runners: be sure to identify young healthy plants that have established roots, and position them in the container burying the roots in the coco coir.
4. Spacing: Place the plants 12-18 inches apart and the rows should be 24-30 inches apart

The benefits of using coco coir for strawberry plants can only be possible when they are cultivated using proper cultivation techniques and well taken care of. From using good quality coco coir to selecting the best-fit variety of strawberries it’s important to ensure maintaining the correct levels of moisture with adequate nutrients and managing pests.

Contact Earth Scape to order coconut coir in bulk.