Autumn is a key time for strawberries: after picking the berries, the plants regain their strength, lay down roots and prepare for the cold. Proper feeding in October makes the soil alive and helps the bushes survive the winter without unnecessary stress. One of the simple and reliable ways is to water it with a warm infusion of wood ash. It is not expensive, can be done in a couple of minutes and gives a noticeable effect in the next season.
Wood ash is rich in potassium and phosphorus, elements that are important for the ripening of shoots and strengthening of roots. The infusion quickly releases these substances in an accessible form, gently corrects the acidity of the soil and reduces the tendency to rot, because it makes the environment less favorable for fungal pathogens. As a result, plants go into winter better prepared, with dense leaves and a strong root system.
How to prepare the infusion:
- Place 1 cup of wood ash (from unpainted, untreated wood) in a large container (10 l);
- Pour warm water, stir and leave to infuse for 24–48 hours (the longer it infuses, the more saturated the solution);
- Strain through cheesecloth or a sieve – large particles of ash are not needed in the bed. The infusion is ready for use.
Before adding the solution, it is better to lightly moisten the soil with plain water so that the nutrients do not go too deep. Approximately 0.5–1 liter of infusion is poured under each bush, evenly distributing it around the trunk circle, then lightly covered with earth. It is better to fertilize on a dry, frost-free day, while the soil is not yet frozen.
After such an infusion, the bushes germinate earlier than the neighbors: the young leaves are dense, without signs of drying out or spotting, the flower stalks are strong. The risk of gray mold and other fungal problems is reduced because the root system is stronger and the soil microflora is more in balance.
