Mulching protects the plants during the winter, retains moisture in the
soil, keeps down weed growth during the fruiting season and keeps the
berries clean.
In cold climates mulching is necessary to protect the plants during
alternate freezing and thawing. If not mulched this expansion and
contraction breaks off the fine roots and greatly weakens the plants.
Any material such as oat, wheat or rye straw, marsh hay, shredded corn
fodder, or coarse stable manure makes ideal mulching, or leaves will
serve the purpose. It should be spread over the field or garden in the
early winter soon after the first freeze, covering the plants and ground
to a depth of about three inches. If stable manure is used it should be
applied thinner, spreading the strawy matter directly over the rows of
plants and the fine material between the rows.
In the spring as soon as the frost leaves the ground, remove the
mulching which lies directly over the rows to the spaces between the
rows. This permits the plants to grow without any obstruction.
In warm climates where freezing is very light, it is unnecessary to
cover the plants. Simply apply the mulching between the rows and under
the foliage, forming a bedding for the berries to ripen upon.
Mulching adds materially to the strawberry crop and gives the grower
bright, clean berries which are in big demand at fancy prices.