Autumn strawberry processing is a guarantee of a rich and high-quality harvest in the next season. To cut and remove old leaves, to loosen and feed the soil, to cover the plants for the winter period - this is the basic care for strawberries after harvesting. Autumn work with this crop begins after the fruiting phase.
Weeding and loosening
Strawberry beds need frequent cultivation (loosening) and weeding (clearing of weeds). The time after the rain or after the accumulation of a large number of weeds is the best moment to perform loosening. 
First, shovel loosen the land between the rows. In order to prevent damage to the root system, a shovel is stuck shallowly into the ground (to a depth of no more than 10 cm). Around the bushes themselves wield cautious, using smaller garden tools: chopper, shovel or hoe. In the process of cultivation of bushes spud, sprinkling with soil growing out adventitious roots.
In parallel with loosening, weeding is carried out - removal of grown weeds. It is necessary to regularly monitor that the site is not overgrown with weeds. First, the grass is torn between the rows, then dry branches, splinters or sawdust are poured into the passages cleared from weeds. Such a measure will slow down the further overgrowing of the weeds. Later, a month later, the plot is weeded again. Weed grass this time will be significantly less. 
Important! In the fall, the soil around the strawberry sags intensively, and the bush abundantly builds up its roots, which over time hampers its development and may cause death from freezing. In order to avoid such consequences, during the annual autumn deep cultivation, hilling should also be carried out.
Pruning
Approximately at the beginning or in the middle of September, the third stage of strawberry care begins in the fall and preparing it for winter - removal of old leaves. However, a single judgment as to whether it is worth cutting the leaves in the fall does not exist. Some farmers are strongly opposed to this event, explaining that any intrusion into the natural cycle will negatively affect the culture. 
On the contrary, supporters of the autumn pruning believe that a slight stress will only help to increase the strawberry yield. We advise you to check in practice both points of view: cut off half of the plot and leave another part of the beds with leaves. The results of the next season will demonstrate which option is more effective.
Such strawberry varieties will delight in high yields: "Lord", "Elsanta", "Albion", "Queen Elizabeth", "Russian Size", "Zeng Zengana", "Elizabeth 2".
So, how to properly carry out the autumn pruning berry bushes? This procedure starts after the completion of the main fruiting. Shrubs are cut with scissors or sharp shears.
The basic rule of pruning: do not overdo it. Each bush should be cut directly from the leaf blade itself, keeping the protruding stems. Thus, the growing point remains intact, and the bushes soon begin to let new leaves. All tendrils in the berry bushes also need to be removed.
Did you know? In the "Guinness Book of Records" is registered the largest strawberry. Her weight was 231 g.
Top dressing
Fertilization is another important step in how to care for strawberries in the fall. The plant responds well to organic nutrients: bird (chicken) droppings, horse manure, mullein or humus. Also, gardeners often make wood ash (it is a good substitute for mineral supplements).
As for mineral fertilizers, you can use superphosphate or potassium salt. 
Important! It is extremely undesirable to introduce chlorine-containing substances as fertilizer, since a strawberry plant reacts poorly to chlorine.
First, in all the beds in small pieces spread out humus, mullein or horse manure. Rains and routine watering will gradually dilute fertilizers, evaporating useful substances from them and bringing them deep into the soil to the root system of strawberries.
However, the method of feeding the beds of chicken manure is much faster. To this end, fresh manure is dissolved in water in the ratio of 1:20 and meticulously mixed. Then the resulting liquid is poured under the berry bushes. Consumption for 7-10 bushes is approximately 1 bucket composition. In the case of mineral dressing, they are scattered on the site, buried in the ground. Immediately you need to water the beds. So that after moistening the soil, a crust does not form on its surface, the area is mulched with peat or needles. In the future, and loosen the soil, and water the plants will be through a layer of mulch.
Soil renewal
If you have a small plot of land and you have to grow the same crop in one place from year to year, it’s natural that the soil needs updating (recuperation). In the old earth accumulate pathogens of fungal diseases, and also decreases the number of nutrients.
The whole secret of the renewal of the land lies in the intensified agrotechnology of cultivation. For example, you can form in-depth or raised beds, filling them with humus or compost. In such conditions, there is a partial replacement of the soil, microorganisms are intensively functioning, processing organic matter into a new soil. In addition, berries are abundantly supplied with nutrients. 
Plants can be protected from pests and diseases due to the healthful treatment of the soil under strawberries in autumn. Do not forget also that the beds need to be mulched from time to time. Mulch will serve as a barrier to the penetration of infections in the aerial parts of strawberry plants.
Autumn transplant
For transplanting take one or two-year bushes, previously divided into parts. You can also use the growth that is formed on the antennae. Transplantation is performed primarily for the purpose of rejuvenating the landing. For 3-4 years, berry bushes grow old, the number of flower stalks is diminished, and the berries themselves become smaller.
Strawberry transplantation is carried out in the autumn, because during this period the soil is more humid and heated, and the weather is cool. Start replanting bushes in mid-August and finish in the first weeks of September. So you give the plant time to settle down, take root and grow a good green mass. 
By the winter the strawberries will be gone strong and dressed in lush foliage. Most of the seedlings transplanted during this period easily tolerate winter, and begin to bloom in spring. Thus, the autumn transplant is the best answer to the question of how to prepare strawberries for winter.
However, there is some risk in the autumn transplant: too early frosts can reduce the number of rooted seedlings. In addition, a snowless winter can ruin transplanted bushes.
Important! Remember that strawberries are not transplanted before winter, when the earth has already managed to freeze. If you do not have time to transplant bushes in early autumn, before frost, it is better to postpone this procedure in the spring.
Step-by-step transplant:
- Pick an illuminated area rich in nutrients for seedlings.
- Prepare the beds - loosen the soil, apply organic fertilizer.
- Form small holes (the distance between the holes should be approximately 35-40 cm).
- Water the wells with water. Immediately plant two young shrubs in the wet ground at once (at least one of the two seedlings will surely take root). Do not plant seedlings too deep. The growth point of each seedling (the zone from which the leaves depart) must be on a level with the ground.
- Sprinkle the roots with soil. Slightly apply to the soil tight to the rhizome.
Did you know? Strawberry is the only berry in the world whose seeds are not located inside, but outside.
Shelter
The final stage of the autumn procedures with strawberries in the garden is preparing it for winter. Of course, the best and most secure strawberry shelter for the winter is snow cover. However, if the winters in your area are frosty or snowless, the bushes necessarily need protection. You can use two cover options:
- Lapnik (coniferous branches). Young bushes try to completely cover the branches, all the rest just make up in a circle. Farmers often use materials such as foliage, foliage or straw for shelter, but these materials have significant drawbacks: rodents live in straw; tops and foliage in winter clod, restraining the movement of air, and as a result, plants often cease. Therefore, the best material remains coniferous branches.
- Agrotex, spunbond or other covering matter (density of 60 g / sq. m), stretched on the arc. Under this shelter the temperature will be higher than outside. In addition, this cover is breathable, which eliminates the risk of debate. Ukryvna material necessarily need to be spread on a special arc. Do not lay the covering material directly on the beds - in the places of their contact with the ground there will be a strong freezing of the soil.
Did you know? It’s hard to believe, but strawberries better and more effectively toothpaste whiten teeth.As you can see, the strawberry processing does not cause much trouble in the fall. Growing this berry is possible even for novice gardeners. We wish you success and great harvests!
