Fertilizers for Strawberries

Strawberry is a false fruit (the fleshy part is not derived from the plant's ovary but from some adjacent tissue) that belongs to species Fragaria and family Rosaceae. It is a native of temperate regions, but some varieties can also be cultivated in subtropical climate. It was first bred in Europe during the 18th century. Today there are nearly 600 varieties of strawberries that differ in size, flavor and texture. Strawberry is a rich source of phenols, a phytonutrient which not only give the berries the flush red color but also serve as a potent antioxidant that defends the cell structures in the body and prevents oxygen damage in the organ systems. The phenol content makes strawberry an anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and a heart-protective fruit. It protects against macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis and promotes optimal health.

Strawberry is a short day plant and requires a well-drained medium loam soil, which should be rich in organic matter. The soil should be slightly acidic with a pH from 5.7 to 6.5. The calcium content in the soil should also be moderate, as excessive calcium causes yellowing of the leaves. Strawberry requires moderate amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in the soil ranging from 84 to 112 kg per hectare, 56 to 84 kg per hectare and 56 to 112 kg per hectare respectively. Unlike other plants, the strawberry plant is shallow rooted and tends to use nutrients which are available near the top of the soil. The plant shows several clues when it needs fertilizers, like pale-yellow colored leaves, no berries and no flowers, even though it may look green and healthy.

Fertilizers for Strawberries

There are different fertilizer choices available in the market that are beneficial for the strawberries.

Compost
Compost is a rich, natural and organic fertilizer that is highly favorable for strawberries. It is composed of decomposing leaves, grass clippings, and other plant material which help in the soil amendment. One can also add apple peels, disposed outer leaves of lettuce, shredded newspaper or any other vegetable material to the compost pile. After some time, the heat and moisture generated in the pile, promote the microbes to break down the plant material. The worms in the pile leave behind their casings and droppings, which add more rich and organic matter to the soil. Compost is the best soil amendment fertilizer and suits all types of garden soil.

Commercial Fertilizers
The nitrogen, phosphate and potassium fertilizers should be incorporated into the soil before planting. The nitrogenous fertilizer should be given in two doses i.e, three weeks after planting and again at the time of flowering. Application of adequate amounts of nitrogen, yields higher and better quality of berries. Commercial fertilizers contain a chemical blend of all these three fertilizers along with some trace minerals. The fertilizer bags display these three elements generally as numbers in a ratio such as '5-10-5' and '10-10-10'. These numbers show the percentage quantity for each element present in the bag, with nitrogen as the first, phosphorous as the second, and potassium as the third. For strawberries, one should always choose a balanced fertilizer with ratios like '5-5-5' or '10-10-10'. Out of these two, the safest fertilizer is '10-10-10' which should be utilized about two and a half pounds for every 100 feet of rows of strawberries; sprinkle it around the plants and follow the package directions.

Getting a soil test is a great idea to ensure that one is neither over-fertilizing nor under-fertilizing the plants. It is recommended not to cultivate the strawberry plant on the same land for consecutive years. Although, strawberries are available throughout the year, their peak season begins from April to July.