Strawberry plants are exotic garden plants known for their delicious, bright fruits; they grow well in containers, and they spread and can be invasive. The joy of planting strawberries is to see them produce more fruit for the family; this can be achieved through several cultural practices, including fertilizer application.
Strawberries will grow well and produce more fruit when fed with fertilizers that contain the required proportion of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur, iron, and manganese. The use of organic fertilizers like compost is usually encouraged because they release nutrients slowly into the soil for a long time, feeding the strawberry plants.
Here is a list of the best fertilizers you can feed your strawberry plant to help it grow better and produce more fruits:
- Banana peels
- Epsom salts (the best slow-release fertilizer)
- Pine needles (pine needles contain potassium, which is an important nutrient)
- Eggshells (eggshells contain calcium).
1. Banana peels
Banana peels are very good for strawberries; banana peels are rich in potassium and magnesium, which are important nutrients for healthy growth and the production of abundant strawberry fruits. You can use banana peels to feed your strawberry plants by incorporating them into the soil during land preparation about a month before planting; this facilitates the decomposition of the peels and the timely release of nutrients for the strawberry plants.
Banana peels are most beneficial to strawberry plants during the flowering and fruiting stage; they can increase the size of fruits as well as the number of fruits produced over time. This is because of its high content of potassium and magnesium; these two nutrients help in effective flowering and an increase in fruit size.
2. Epsom salt
Epsom salt is a great source of magnesium for strawberries. Magnesium strengthens and protects the strawberry plants against diseases; Epsom salt is a slow-release natural fertilizer for strawberry plants. Apply 1/2 cup of Epsom salts to the soil once in 3 months, and you’ll be able to grow the best strawberries in town. Epsom salt can be found in most grocery stores and is usually labeled as “Magnesium Sulfate” or “Epsom Salt.”
3. Pine needles
Pine needles are a particularly good source of nitrogen for strawberry plants; nitrogen is highly needed during the early and vegetative stages of strawberry plants. Aside from being a source of nitrogen, pine needles also supply phosphorus and calcium that can support the growth of stems and the flowering of strawberry plants. You can also add pine needles to your garden soil before planting or apply them in spring to help your strawberry plants grow and produce fruit.
4. Eggshells
Eggshells are a good source of calcium and phosphorus for strawberry plants; in fact, I would say eggshells are very beneficial to garden soil because they help regulate soil pH. The eggshells are crushed into powder before applying to the root zones of the strawberry plants; apply the crushed eggshells, cover with soil, and water immediately.
How To Fertilize Strawberry Plants
There are several methods of fertilizer application that can be employed when feeding strawberry plants; the majority of the fertilizers listed can be applied directly into the soil near the root zone of strawberry plants using a localized method. The water-soluble fertilizer, like the Epsom salt, can be applied through irrigation using an existing drip system, like an emitter that’s already installed close to the root zone of the plants.
The dosage of application is not really applicable to these fertilizers because they are organic fertilizers; only Epsom salts need to be applied according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Because these fertilizers are slow-release, they can be applied every 3 months to ensure a continuous supply of nutrients to eliminate any deficiency symptoms. The best time to apply fertilizer to strawberry plants is during spring when the plants are actively growing.
Tips for Fertilizing Strawberry Plants
There are many different types of fertilizer that can be used on strawberry plants; you can only get the best of these fertilizers when you apply them correctly. Here are a few tips for applying fertilizers to strawberry plants to achieve the best result:
- Feed your strawberries in the spring months, from March through June. Strawberry plants will utilize the fertilizer better during this period because they are actively growing.
- Use an all-purpose fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in equal amounts, like NPK 10-10-10, to correct deficiency symptoms like yellowing of leaves, brown coloration of the leaf tips, etc. This is one of the best types of fertilizer for feeding strawberries because it promotes strong root growth as well as leaf and flower production.
- Apply fertilizer at least three inches away from the root of each plant, so there is no chance it will burn tender roots
- Water your strawberry plants immediately after applying fertilizers to dissolve the fertilizer and aid the translocation process.
In summary, any of the above-listed fertilizers is best for strawberry plants; they are slow-releasing and safe for the environment. You can use any of these fertilizers or try a combination of two or three. It’s best to start with one and see how it works for you before adding another. Happy Gardening!