One of the first crops to arrive in the spring is strawberries. Frost damage to strawberries is a potential possibility due to their early blooming. During the winter, strawberry plants and frost may get along OK, but when the plants are in blossom, an unexpected spring frost can cause havoc.
Flowers, fruit, and young leaves and stalks may all be damaged by frost. Straw may be used to cover strawberry plants to keep them safe from frost. Strawberry plants must be protected against frost, but how do you go about doing so?
Reader Poll: What online courses would interest you?
It will be discussed in this post how frost damages strawberry plants and how to prevent them. Late spring frosts may harm young blooms and fruit in many areas.
In the winter, strawberry plants are dormant and do not produce new growth. There is less risk of damage to older, bigger leaves since they are more resistant to cold. For brief periods, plastic coverings may also be used to protect them from springtime frost.
This Winter’s Frost Has Caused Harm To Strawberries
Strawberry plants are dormant over the winter, so any damage to older leaves is more likely to occur. To safeguard the strawberry plant’s central crown, which is where the new leaves emerge, these leaves will act as a protective shield.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
In the winter, older leaves that have been damaged by frost are OK since they will be replaced by new ones in the spring. Spring is a good time to remove old leaves since they become yellow and eventually brown.
Strawberry Blooms May Be Damaged By Frost
In late winter and early spring, strawberries may produce blossoms despite the danger of frost. Even in tropical and subtropical regions, frosts may occur even in the spring.
It is possible to safeguard strawberry blooms throughout the spring in moderate or colder climates where they grow. This may be done by covering the plants with a thin layer of straw, which will keep the foliage and blooms from freezing.
They will shrivel and become brown in the presence of frost. If they aren’t pollinated, they’ll fall to the ground.
Strawberries May Be Ruined By Frost (Fruit)
Small strawberries may be harvested from early-fruiting strawberry plants in the winter. Frosts may harm these plants, so keeping them covered is a good idea. Even though straw may be used, a plastic cover is preferable for added security.
Wrap transparent plastic over a tomato cage and place it on top of the strawberry to protect it. A plastic bag may be put over the top of the plant to protect it from the elements.
Strawberry plants may be protected by using one of these approaches. Frost-damaged fruit will become mushy, spongy, and brittle within a short period.
Frost May Harm Newly Sprouted Leaves
Because of frosts that occur at this time, fresh strawberry leaves might be harmed by springtime weather. New leaves and stems will begin to emerge from the plant’s dormancy even in the late winter months.
Late winter and early spring frosts may harm these fragile young leaves, which are more susceptible to injury than older leaves. It is possible to preserve the plant by leaving a thin covering of straw on top of it or by putting a plastic bag over several posts surrounding it.
When a strawberry’s leaves are injured by frost, the plant will spend a significant amount of energy replacing them.
Frost Damage To Strawberries Is Caused At What Temperature?
Temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit might harm new strawberry development. Strawberry plants may be affected by a frost if the temperature drops and there is no breeze.
Generally, older strawberry growth can withstand these temperatures, but fresh leaves and blooms may be harmed.
In the case of commercial grape growers, for example, massive fans are used to produce wind to mix warm air above the ground with colder air below. To prevent frost from accumulating on the plant’s leaves, this raises the temperature of the earth.
Using a straw or a plastic cover instead of a fan in your strawberry patch is a better option since it is more practical.
Protecting Strawberries Against Frost Is A Common Problem
Frost protection for strawberries may be achieved in several methods that are both simple and effective. This is a list of my favorite methods for protecting strawberry plants cultivated at home against frost.
Straw Is A Good Mulch (Even Over The Top)
Strawberry plants may be protected from frosts by sprinkling sugar cane mulch or straw mulch over them. The straw acts as a barrier to prevent the ground’s warm air from escaping, thereby keeping the temperature higher.
Removing the straw mulch in the spring after the frosts have gone is critical. As a result, insects will be able to pollinate the strawberries, and the strawberries will be ripened by the sun as they continue to develop.
Plastic Shielding
Plastic may also be used to shield your strawberry plants from cold. Use a tomato cage or plastic pipe hoops, and then cover the top with a piece of plastic. As a result, the tomato will be protected from freezing temperatures and the light and soil heat will be retained,
A transparent plastic bag may be put on top of the tomato plant and little pegs placed around it. Protecting the strawberry against frost is straightforward and may be done in a matter of minutes. You may wear this at night or in the early morning if you believe there will be a chance of a frost.
Conclusion
A frost may destroy the strawberry plant’s new development, as well as its leaves, blossoms, and fruit. Using a small layer of mulch, you can keep the soil warm while protecting your strawberries. To ensure a good harvest in spring and summer, protect your plants from the cold by covering them. I wish you all the best with your gardening endeavors.
