When the hot breeze rolls in to announce the arrival of summer, a cup of fresh and sweet strawberry can make things perfect! Strawberries are an all time classics, regardless of where you stay or the climate that you live in. You can buy them all year round in supermarkets but, even in season, they’re expensive and rarely taste as good as home-grown fruit.
Why Coir for Strawberries?
Traditional potting soil bags can be heavy and prone to waterlogging, which isn’t ideal for strawberries. Here’s where coir gives you the upper hand:
- Impeccable Drainage: Coir boasts exceptional drainage properties. Its coarse fibers allow excess water to pass through easily, preventing root rot, a major concern for container-grown strawberries.
- Lightweight: Compared to soil, coir is significantly lighter. This makes it perfect for handling larger pots or those positioned on balconies or rooftops.
- Moisture Control: While offering excellent drainage, coir also retains moisture well. The fibers act like tiny sponges, ensuring consistent hydration for your strawberries between watering sessions.
- Sustainable Savior: Coir is a renewable resource derived from coconut husks, making it an eco-friendly choice for environmentally conscious gardeners.
How Do You Plant a Strawberry with Coir Products?
Planting a strawberry with coir products is a straightforward process, but understanding the steps ensures success:
Choosing Your Coir Product:
Coir comes in various forms:
- Coir Bricks: The most common and economical option. Opt for washed or buffered coir to ensure a neutral pH suitable for strawberries.
- Coir Chips: Larger pieces ideal for creating drainage layers in larger containers.
- Coir Fiber: Fine coir perfect for mixing with other amendments to create a customized potting mix.
Preparing the Coir:
- Watering: Soak the coir according to the package instructions. For bricks, this typically involves submerging them in water for 15 minutes to an hour, allowing them to fully expand.
- Amending for Success: Strawberries prefer a slightly acidic environment with good drainage. Here are some coir mix options:
- Coir and Perlite: Mix 70% coir with 30% perlite for excellent drainage and aeration.
- Coir, Compost, and Perlite: Combine 50% coir, 25% compost, and 25% perlite for a richer mix with good drainage.
Selecting Your Container:
Strawberries thrive in containers with drainage holes. Choose a pot at least 8 inches deep and 10-12 inches wide to accommodate root growth.
Choosing Your Strawberry Plants:
- Bare-root plants: Purchase these dormant plants from nurseries and plant them promptly.
- Everbearing varieties: Consider everbearing strawberries if you desire a continuous harvest throughout the growing season.
Planting Process
- Drainage Layer (Optional): Add a layer of coir chips to the bottom of the container for additional drainage, especially for larger pots.
- Fill the Container: Fill the container with your chosen coir mix, leaving about an inch of space from the rim.
- Prepare the Plant: Gently untangle the roots of a bare-root strawberry plant. For potted plants, loosen the root ball slightly.
- Planting Depth: Plant the strawberry so the crown (the area where the leaves meet the roots) sits slightly above the soil surface. Avoid burying the crown, as this can lead to rot.
- Watering: Water the container thoroughly after planting, ensuring the coir mix is evenly moist but not soggy.
Post-Planting Care:
- Light: Strawberries require at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Watering: Water regularly, allowing the top inch of coir to dry slightly between waterings.
- Feeding: During the growing season, fertilize your strawberries every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer diluted according to package instructions.
- Mulching: Apply a thin layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
- Harvesting: Once the strawberries turn a vibrant red and detach easily from the plant, it’s time to harvest! Enjoy your delicious bounty!
Conclusion
Growing evergreen classics like strawberries is as easy as a pie, given, the right products are being used. By utilising coir products such as coco coir grow bags, your strawberry plants can grow to their true potential! Now that we’ve looked at why use coir products for your strawberry plants, let us introduce you to the best coir product manufacturers, Coirmedia!
Coirmedia is an international coir product manufacturing brand, focusing on coir based products such as Coco Coir Grow Bags, Coconut Coir Bricks, Potting Soil Bag and much more. Through sustainable raw materials and processes, they ensure that your plants receive the best care and the planet is safe and clean!
