Strawberries Marshal have large berries, juicy and sweet. The plant is unpretentious in planting, growing and caring for. Resistant to frost and major pests. In this article, we will consider ways to plant and care for strawberries.
strawberry variety "Marshal"
for the excellent taste of berries, the popularity of the Marshal variety is increasing
strawberry "Marshal" painlessly can survive the hottest and most rainless summer
Description of the variety "Marshal"
Marshal strawberry is a mid-season variety. It fully develops and bears fruit in the cold Russian climate. It adapts well to various weather conditions and soil composition. Can withstand drought. Berry picking is high in summer. They are over average in size, juicy and presentable.
The variety was brought to our country after the Second World War from the United States, where it was bred by the American breeder M. F. Well at the end of the 19th century.
Features of the bushes
Marshal strawberry grows up to 0.15 m.The plant has the following structure:
- branches branch widely to the sides;
- stems are thick and dense;
- leaves: large with a light green color; have a glossy sheen; shape resembles an umbrella; grows densely and protect the fruits from excessive sunlight and birds;
- strong root with numerous branches;
- the peduncle consists of dense stems;
- they have large flowers with a bright core;
- flowers rise above the bush.
The Marshal Strawberry variety is characterized by the growth of numerous mustaches, so the plant is easy to propagate. It is better to cut off excess mustache during active growth and fruiting.
Yield
A variety with a high yield: in a mild and warm climate and with proper care, more than 800-900 g of berries are harvested from one tuber. In warm climates, harvesting of fruits almost doubles.
The ripening period of the berries begins in June and ends in September. Marshall strawberries begin to bear fruit already in the first summer after planting, but in each subsequent harvesting season, the number of berries harvested decreases.
Picking strawberries is best in the afternoon. At this time, there is less excess moisture in it and the shelf life increases.
Berries
Fetal characteristics:
- large size;
- slightly elongated shape with a flattened tip;
- weight from 38 to 65 g;
- rich poppy look with a slight ebb;
- whole from the inside, without voids;
- medium density consistency;
- when cut, the fruit is of a less saturated shade;
- sweet taste with a sour taste,
- pronounced strawberry aroma;
- seeds are yellow, small, almost not felt when eating berries.
Characteristics of the variety
Experienced hobby gardeners are increasingly choosing to grow Marshall strawberries because of the many advantages they offer over other varieties.
See a review of Marshal strawberries in the video below:
Advantages
The plant has a number of undeniable advantages:
- large berries with a pleasant strawberry flavor;
- grows in cold climates;
- easily adapts when landing;
- resistant to weather events and dry periods without loss of yield;
- has a high yield stability;
- berries ripen early;
- the yield period is long;
- undemanding to feeding;
- berries are protected by wide foliage covering from sunlight;
- resistant to diseases and pests.
Strawberries are versatile: they are consumed immediately after harvesting and used for preservation and freezing.
Disadvantages
The plant has some minor disadvantages:
- poor transportability of berries;
- decrease in yield after the first harvest season;
- the formation of a large number of antennae and the rapid rooting of new tubers.
Planting strawberries
Planting Marshall strawberries is the same as for other varieties. The best time is early spring when weather conditions stabilize. Read about how to plant strawberries in spring in this article.
Some gardeners living in warm climates plant strawberries in late fall. But this is not the best way to get a good harvest. There is a possibility of freezing of young seedlings in winter, which is the result of insufficient rooting due to the short period before winter.
For those who nevertheless decided to plant in the autumn, it is worth choosing the time a few weeks before the onset of frost, so that the plant adapts better.
Choosing a site for planting and soil requirements
Marshall strawberries will grow well if you choose the right planting site. It should be:
- well-lit, not darkened crown of trees;
- it is better to choose a place on the south side of the site, where the sun's rays warm the soil most of all;
- with a flat surface, without slopes and lowlands, since with heavy precipitation, water accumulation must be avoided;
- the area should be ventilated, but strong drafts should be avoided.
Before planting, you need to pay attention to the crops that have grown before. Avoid: Potatoes, squash, cucumbers and tomatoes.
Recommended predecessor crops: onions, garlic, dill, parsley, radishes, radishes, legumes, carrots, narcissus and others.
Soil requirements:
- Most suitable: slightly acidic, loamy and sandy loam.
- Before planting, it is loosened to achieve lightness and ability to pass moisture.
- In the fall, you need to add organic fertilizers: compost or humus. For loamy soil, in addition, add: sand, sawdust and ash.
When preparing the soil in the fall, it is dug up, roots, leaves and branches are removed to avoid the preservation of pathogens and subsequent infection of strawberry bushes.
Preparation of seedlings
The best planting time is the first months after winter, then the plant takes root well in the ground and develops. This will allow the strawberries to safely endure the cold in winter.
The root system of seedlings must be disinfected before being planted in the ground. In a weak manganese solution, lower the roots for a few minutes and rinse with clean water.
Landing scheme
Marshal Strawberry bush is quite large. In summer, the upper part of the plant grows especially and the root system grows. For the full development of the plant, it is worth adhering to certain planting distances:
- plant seedlings every 1/4 m;
- leave a space of up to 0.8 m between the beds.
Strawberry bushes can be planted by alternating diagonally, adhering to the norm of the distance.
Planting strawberries
The procedure for planting seedlings is very simple to perform:
- Dig holes in the ground equal to the length of the root of the seedling.
- Place the plant carefully in the groove, straighten the roots and sprinkle with earth. Root deformation results in slow development and very low yields.
- Water the plant abundantly after planting.
- After a while, loosen the earth so that moisture can access the roots.
Evening and cloudy weather are favorable for planting.
Care features
In order for the plant to feel good on the garden plot, and the berries are large and juicy, it is worth taking proper care of it. Timely harvesting plays an important role in the health and full growth of the strawberry bush.
Overripe berries attract insects and small rodents. They become a favorable breeding ground for bacteria and putrefactive processes.
Watering
The first plentiful watering after planting is carried out in late spring, when active growth begins. Further, watered regularly, as the soil dries up. Finish after the last harvest at the end of September.
Watering time: early morning or evening, after sunset. The moisture should be well absorbed. Its evaporation during the daytime can cause burn injuries to stems and leaves.
Water the plant with care: pour water under the root, avoid moisture getting on the leaves and flowers.
Watering frequency: in temperate climates, once a week is sufficient. In summer and in hot weather, watering is increased by 2-3 times.
During dry periods, strawberries are mulched with hay, sawdust or dry grass to prevent moisture evaporation.
Loosening
Do not allow the soil around the strawberry bush to harden. Oxygen and moisture availability will be noticeably reduced and the plant will begin to wilt. To avoid this situation, it is worth periodically, as necessary, to loosen the soil.
Fertilization
In the soil, enough fertilizer before winter, strawberries grow well and can do without additional feeding. If the shoots become noticeably thinner, this means a lack of potassium in the soil. Mineral fertilizer should be applied, as well as wood ash.
We recommend that you read the article on spring feeding strawberries.
For preventive purposes, fertilizing of organic and mineral origin is applied. During the period of active growth in May, during the ripening of berries in June and after the final collection of berries in September, it is recommended to use fertilizers to replenish the strength of the plant.
Fertilizers are applied along with watering and loosening the soil. Of the fertilizers used: mullein, bird droppings, wood ash and weed infusions.
The Marshall strawberry variety is very sensitive to inorganic fertilizers. If the dosage is incorrect, the root system can be severely damaged.
Post-harvest strawberry care
In early autumn, when the period of active growth and fruiting has ended, strawberries continue to grow. New shoots, leaves appear, root growth does not stop, even false flower buds are formed.
During this period, you cannot completely cut the bush. Cutting off yellowed and drying leaves is allowed. Be sure to loosen the ground. If pests or disease have damaged the ground part of the plant, it is cut at the root.
When trimming parts of the plant, it is worth leaving about 3 cm of shoots from the root.
You also need:
- remove mulch, which may contain disease-causing organisms;
- weed and get rid of all weeds;
- loosen the ground;
- add top dressing;
- water abundantly;
- if necessary, treat with drugs against various pests.
To prepare strawberry bushes for the winter period, it is worth considering the climatic zone. In colder regions, you need to cover the plant more carefully to avoid freezing of the roots.
Diseases and pests
Marshall strawberries have good immunity to viral diseases and harmful pests. For the prevention of diseases, marigolds, aromatic herbs and garlic are planted between the beds.
If an illness occurs, the bushes should be sprayed with a special compound purchased at any specialized store.
Do not use sprayers during flowering and harvesting. Berries absorb a harmful composition and, once in the body, can cause poisoning.
When infected with a fungus, the plant should be sprayed with a fungicide, cut off all antennae. Repeat spraying if necessary.
If a strawberry mite is affected, you need to thoroughly disinfect everything and dig up the soil. The mite is more active in late spring and summer. It is a carrier of dangerous fungal diseases.
It is possible to understand that strawberries are affected by a tick by the leaves twisted into a tube only by the middle of summer. It is difficult to detect a tick at an earlier date. It cannot be seen with the naked eye. If you do not disinfect and do not spray with special preparations, then the tick will not disappear on its own, and the plant will turn yellow, decrease in size and may completely die.
The whitefly invasion is one of the most pernicious troubles. First, they, in the form of small insects, settle in the lower part of the bush, since they do not like sunlight. The next development cycle is transformation into a butterfly. She has white wings, which is where the name comes from. Butterflies parasitize the leaves and drink their juice.
Loosening the soil is the best prevention against whitefly. An adult is disposed of with glue yellow plywood sheets placed between the beds.
Reviews of gardeners about the "Marshal" variety
Antonina, 39 years old, accountant, Moscow region.I got a strawberry Marshal inherited from relatives along with the dacha. And so I liked her. The berries are large and tasty. She tolerates winter perfectly, however, I cover it well. I am very pleased with this strawberry.
Maria Ivanovna, 59 years old, pensioner, Belgorod.My granddaughter was treated to strawberries by a neighbor. I also tried it and was pleasantly surprised by their juiciness and delicate aroma. I took some seedlings from a neighbor and planted it in the spring. In the summer, they were already harvesting with their granddaughter. Such a delicious strawberry does not require much maintenance.
Nikolay, 46 years old, truck driver, Samara.I have recently started gardening. I read many forums and chose Strawberry Marshal. I didn't regret it at all. I planted it in early spring and in the summer in the very first year I collected almost a kilogram from each bush. I will continue to grow only her.
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Marshall strawberries are easy to grow and care for. The reward for your efforts will be juicy and large berries, which can be frozen if desired. This variety is quite resistant to temperature extremes, short-term droughts and pathogenic pests.