April is a crucial month for those who dream of a bountiful strawberry harvest. Proper processing during this period protects the bushes from diseases and pests, and also lays the foundation for large and sweet berries. If you want to collect not in handfuls, but in whole baskets, it’s time to figure out how to process strawberries in April.
What you will need:
- Copper sulfate or Bordeaux mixture for the prevention of fungal diseases and protection against gray rot.
- Ammonia to repel weevils and fertilize with nitrogen for the growth of green mass.
- Wood ash to strengthen plant immunity, deoxidize soil and protect against slugs.
How to process:
- Carry out the first treatment in early April, as soon as the snow melts and the ground dries out. Remove old mulch, trim dry leaves and spray the bushes with a solution of copper sulfate according to the instructions.
- After 7-10 days, pour the strawberries with a solution of ammonia at the rate of 2 tablespoons per 10 liters of water. This will repel pests and provide light nitrogen fertilizing.
- Sprinkle the row spacing and tree trunk circles with a thin layer of wood ash. This will protect against slugs, improve soil structure and reduce the risk of rot development.
Within a week, the bushes will begin to actively grow, the leaves will become rich green and elastic. By the end of May, the plants will be strong and healthy, flowering will begin on time, and the berries will be large, aromatic and truly sweet.
Question and answer:
Is it possible to combine treatment with copper sulfate and ammonia?
Not recommended. It is better to apply copper and nitrogen at intervals of 5–7 days so as not to create stress for the plant and reduce the effectiveness of the preparations. First, carry out a fungicidal treatment, then after a week, nitrogen fertilizing with a repellent effect.
What to do if the strawberries have already bloomed in April?
During the flowering period, chemical treatments are excluded. If the bushes bloom early, limit yourself to ash dusting and careful loosening. The main protection against diseases and pests had to be carried out before budding.
