Strawberry harvesting season is underway, and gardeners need to know how to properly harvest the berries, protect them from pests and birds, and manage the plants’ tendrils. Improper handling of tendrils, pests, and birds can significantly impact the harvest.

Gardeners should prune strawberry tendrils to ensure a plentiful harvest. Strawberry bushes produce tendrils, which are vegetative processes used for reproduction. Agronomist Lyudmila Shubina advises cutting off unnecessary tendrils with a pruner to avoid damaging the plant. Removing yellowed and damaged leaves, weeding, and loosening the soil are also important for a healthy harvest.

Protecting strawberries from pests and birds is crucial. Weevils are a common pest that lays eggs in unbloomed buds. Shaking off the weevils manually, especially before 10:00 AM, can help reduce their population by up to 70%. Spraying the bushes with a mustard solution (2-3 tablespoons of ground mustard per liter of water) can also deter pests. Birds, such as sparrows and starlings, can also damage the berries. Using special nets or covering material can protect the crop from birds, ensuring that sunlight, air, and water can still reach the plants. Shiny objects, bells, and scarecrows can also help deter birds.

To propagate new strawberry bushes, gardeners can root first-order rosettes. Strawberry beds should be updated regularly, as the average lifespan for good fruiting is 4-5 years. New bushes can be planted using seedlings, seeds, or shoots from tendrils. For propagation, select 3-4 promising bushes and leave 3-4 tendrils on each.

Proper harvesting techniques are essential for preserving the strawberry plants. Berries should be pinched off with the stem, treating the bushes with care. Rotten and damaged berries should be removed from the bush.