Growing strawberries using Finnish technology - all the subtleties of the planting process

Tell us what is the cultivation of strawberries using Finnish technology. An acquaintance was on a business trip and communicated with Finnish farmers who are engaged in this. He says that their method allows for a higher and earlier harvest. I still have a small plantation, but over time I plan to expand it by purchasing new varieties. It would be interesting to try this technology.

Do you want to get clean berries that are not affected by pests that ripen a couple of weeks earlier? Then try Finnish strawberry cultivation. Its main goal is to ensure the warming of the soil and to keep this heat, making it possible for the crop to ripen even in cool regions. And this can be achieved by covering the beds with mulch, but not with vegetable mulch, but from a special material. It not only retains heat, but also prevents the berries from getting dirty in the ground, which is especially important when growing for sale and transportation. Pure strawberries lie longer, and pests do not have the opportunity to eat them through the mulch. In addition, weeds do not grow on mulch either.

Another advantage of Finnish technology is the ability to control the unauthorized propagation of strawberries. Bushes that grow simply in the ground give a lot of whiskers that take root in a chaotic manner. And if they are planted on mulch, then the film will not provide an opportunity for the antennae to start up roots.

Growing strawberries using Finnish technology - general principles

So, as already mentioned, the main difference between this method is the special planting of plants not in the ground, but on mulching material. It is carried out as follows:

1. In the fall, a plot is dug up in a well-lit place with nutritious and loose soil. Humus is introduced for digging.
2. In the spring, the soil is fertilized with potassium-phosphorus preparations.
3. The beds are broken up to 80 cm wide with row spacing up to 70 cm. The beds should be slightly on a hill.
4. Drip irrigation is immediately installed - a hose is buried between the beds.
5. Each bed is covered with a mulch material that adheres well to the edges.
6. Every 40 cm, a hole is cut on the mulch, where a strawberry bush is planted.

When growing strawberries on a small scale, for yourself, you can not fill in the beds, but simply cover the entire area with mulch. But it will still be more convenient if the bushes grow in rows, and there will be no covering soil between them. Then there will be no need to walk on the mulch, putting it at risk of damage.

Choice of mulching material

Finnish gardeners cover their beds with black foil, but white foil and agrofibre can be used instead. Each material has its own disadvantages and advantages:

1. Black film. Inexpensive but reliable protection against weeds and moisture loss. However, in the heat it attracts the sun, so you need another layer of additional vegetable mulch on top. In addition, slugs grow under the film.
2. White film. Also not expensive, it will exclude overheating of the soil, but there will be enough light under it for weeds.
3. Agrofibre. The most optimal option, since such material breathes, but at the same time retains heat and does not allow cold to pass inside. Weeds do not grow under it, but you can use it up to 3 seasons without removing it, while the film breaks faster.

Regardless of what kind of mulch lies under the strawberries, the plantings need watering. Moreover drip, because it will be extremely difficult to organize watering from a watering can under the film.

Features of planting strawberries under mulch