Strawberries in the pipes: the features and secrets of the outlandish way

The popularity of strawberries leads to the fact that a large number of people are trying to grow it. But the fact is that such a culture requires special agronomic techniques. One of the most effective solutions is growing strawberries in pipes.

Growing strawberries inside tubes is pretty easy. This technique has a number of positive aspects. So, the space occupied is significantly reduced, if, of course, the project was correctly drafted. You can use completely unnecessary in the household trim pipe. If necessary, it will be possible to move the beds to another point in a short time. Almost impossible to infect the earth with parasitic organisms and weeds, because the labor of farmers is simplified.

There is no need to introduce fertilizer and do fertilizing. Moreover, it is not necessary to farm the land. Ecological characteristics of the resulting crop meet the most stringent requirements. With a sufficient level of imagination and the presence of aesthetic taste polymer designs with strawberries can decorate the garden, creating an original composition. In addition, artificial shelter shadow is useful for other plants.

However, one should not assume that the cultivation of strawberries in the polymer tube has only positive sides. With all the benefits of this method, it has some drawbacks. Thus, such a technique significantly reduces the immunity of the culture to low temperatures. There is a risk that the supercooled strawberries will die. The soil inside the polymer structures can dry out, and it is difficult to deal with this.

It should be borne in mind that the strawberries in the pipes must be related to certain varieties. Only repair bushes are suitable for this purpose. Their main advantages are:

• general endurance;
• resistance to negative factors;
• excellent cold resistance;
• excellent consumer characteristics.

Modern remontant varieties are immune to various ailments. In combination with preventive measures, it helps protect the crop even from the effects of contaminated soil. If gardeners choose hydroponics, these types of strawberries perfectly adapt to these conditions. Professionals advise the use of such varieties as:

• "Queen Elizabeth";
• "Yellow Miracle";
• "Mount Everest";
• "Vima Zanta" and others.

There are various options for the cultivation of strawberries in PVC pipes. But, anyway, they belong to two main formats. Horizontal horizontal plastic elements are recommended for even wide areas. Depending on the gardener's desire, you can make strips with a different number of tapes. Such tapes are oriented from north to south, so that guaranteed drought is excluded. If the landing is made in one line, the distance between the rows should not be less than 0.7 m.

Between separate saplings the gap of 150-250 mm is maintained. The exact value is selected for each grade. Any process that goes beyond the allotted row must be cut. This is due to the gradual growth of bushes. If two lines are selected, the distance is increased to 0.9 m. The gap between the individual plants in this case is 0.3 m.

Horizontal oriented plastic pipes should not be used in lowlands. There is invariably a threat of waterlogging. Particular care in handling such structures should be exercised during the melting of the snow and in the event of significant precipitation. The minimum height of protective embankments is from 0.3 m, the width must be at least 0.6 m.In this case, the best choice is a landing in two lines, with the gap between the bushes ranging from 250 to 300 mm, the ridges are divided by tracks with a width of 0.3-0.4 m.

The landing in the pipes can be made vertically. Most often, this method is resorted to if the deficit of free territories is very strong. Compared with the horizontal method, the concentration of bushes per 1 square. m. in this case increases by 5 times. Most farmers prefer to use multi-tiered square options in which each tier is formed thanks to the boards. The usual height of the tiers is 100-150 mm, and the width is 200-300 mm.

Despite such clear guidance, in fact, farmers have some freedom. Most often, the parameters are not taken in finished form, but take into account the specifics of a particular variety.

To grow strawberries inside the pipes, you will have to use a variety of materials and accessories. It is recommended that you first learn and prepare everything, only then it is worth getting down to work. The main material is naturally pipe scraps. Their diameter is about 150 mm, however, smaller parts are sometimes used. Parts with a diameter of 40-50 mm help supply the roots with moisture.

Having dealt with the necessary internal cross-section of pipes, you can pick up plugs. Holes in the main products are prepared using a drill or other tools. Additionally, geological textiles, bag fabric, or any other suitable material of natural origin are prepared. You will also need a layer for drainage, in which brick fights, expanded clay of various fractions, crushed coal and the like are put.

Regardless of the orientation of the pipes (horizontal or vertical), they are cut to the required length. The size of small areas is adapted to their size. Pipes of considerable size are drilled to produce holes with a diameter of 70 mm. The gaps between adjacent channels vary from 10 to 15 cm. The dimensions can be measured as accurately as possible taking into account the total length of the pipe.

If relatively thin pipes are used, the holes in them should also be smaller - the diameter in this case does not exceed 1 cm. It is important to note that when laying the horizontal beds one side has holes and the other does not touch. Sometimes several rows of holes are made at once. Thin tubes should be wrapped in cloth for bags or geological textiles. Strapping with string improves the reliability of material fixation.

Subsequent work steps for horizontal and vertical schemes are different. If the vertical format is chosen, large pipes will be required, on which suitable plugs will be mounted. Then the assembly is deepened into the ground on one side. After that, it is necessary to determine the central position where the pipe of a small section is inserted. A small amount of expanded clay or other drainage material helps to fix this pipe.

Inside the thick canal poured soil, specially adapted for strawberries. Only then it is planted, stopping after filling the holes. Thin tubes allow you to directly attach a hose that serves for the first watering. If the pipes are intended for horizontal planting of strawberries, their ends are supplied with plugs. In the middle you need to make an additional hole, through which excess moisture will come out.

The drain channel is covered with the necessary stopper. Claydite is poured into a thick pipe, ensuring filling is 50%. It is appropriate to use a drain hole as a limiter. That it is located strictly in the middle. This technique allows you to get rid of many shortcomings and errors.

Growing strawberries inside plastic pipes is necessary by a carefully thought-out technique. The slightest deviations from it, as practice shows, have a bad effect on the condition of the beds. Developed young plants are always selected, the root complex of which has processes at least 100 mm in length. Material for planting in advance prepared. The essence of the preparation is exposure to cool, humid air.

Hydroponic method of cultivation of plants in the pipes is much better than the soil. He allows not to be afraid that the soil will dry up or will be exhausted. In addition, it provides reliable protection from weather conditions, harmful insects and pathogens. However, this increases the responsibility of the farmer. He can make serious mistakes if he has a bad understanding of culture. Judging by experience, the optimal substrates are:

• peat based mixtures;
• expanded clay;
• mineral wool.

The drip system uses thin tubes, similar to those used in open areas. Water drainage is organized in a special pan. Allowed placement of plants in several lines.

Just making a bed with your own hands and planting “Victoria” or another variety in the pipes is not enough. High-quality step-by-step instructions always include care requirements. Otherwise, farmers can plant a capricious berry for a very long time, but have no positive result. Moisturize the soil immediately after drying. As soon as the first early berries go, the ground is mulched, most often dried sawdust. Such a technique drastically reduces the risk of infection with rot.

A similar procedure is carried out in the second half of October, sometimes closer to its end. At this point, mulching allows you to better prepare the plants for the winter. It is advisable at least once per season to process the earth filling of pipes with special preparations. Then the risk of parasite attack will decrease. The best tool for this purpose is the proven Karbofos.

Harm brings not only dryness, but also excessively active moisture. It is categorically unacceptable for liquid to enter when watering a mustache, berries, inflorescence, leaf or sprout. You can not treat insecticides or other compounds bushes, where there are berries - you need to either prevent their occurrence, or first collect the entire crop.

If the landing pads are organized correctly, then their vertical view will fit well even on a balcony or loggia. Using boards, you can make auxiliary tiers, and in large quantities. With the onset of warm weather, these tiers become a place to place containers. Seedlings are grown in containers, which will soon replace the plants growing in the pipes. If these devices can be put near the fences and supplemented with various parts, which will allow to diversify the design of the garden.

The soil of any kind must be disinfected. Refusal of such treatment leads to the destruction of the bushes by pathological and parasitic organisms. Be sure to think over the insulation and heating system for the winter. The exception is easily moved structures (they are simply transported to the house).

Before the arrival of winter, structures that are left without heating are thoroughly covered with nonwoven fabrics or burlap. If severe frosts are likely, additional filling with sawdust, straw, leaves is carried out. You can also cover all this with foam. If you plan to water the strawberries manually, do not use pumps. In such cases, they simply mount the filled tank above the level of the beds and connect the parts with hoses.

When using claydite as a substrate for hydroponic strawberries, it is necessary to break it up to the state of crumb. Then the absorption and release of moisture will occur evenly. In addition, the root system in this setting is also developing better.

About growing strawberries in the tubes, see the next video.