Tag: ecology

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Strawberries and Diabetes – Sweet and Safe?

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that requires strict control of blood sugar levels. Choosing the right foods is key to maintaining stable glucose levels and overall health. One of the frequently asked questions is: Can people with diabetes enjoy fruits, especially berry fruits, such as strawberries? The answer is: yes! Strawberries are tasty, nutritious, and have many benefits for people with diabetes.

Here are a few reasons why it’s worth including strawberries in your diet, even if you have diabetes:

Rich in Nutrients
Strawberries are not only tasty but also rich in nutrients. They contain vitamin C, which supports immunity and acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage. Strawberries are also a source of folic acid, vitamin K, manganese, and other nutrients that support overall health and vitality of the body.

Low Glycemic Index
The glycemic index (GI) is an indicator that measures the impact of consumed food on blood sugar levels. Strawberries have a low glycemic index, which means that after eating them, blood sugar levels will not rise sharply. This means that strawberries do not cause sudden spikes in blood glucose, which is beneficial for people with diabetes.

High Fiber Content
Strawberries are rich in dietary fiber, which has many health benefits, especially for people with diabetes. Fiber helps control blood sugar levels by slowing down digestion and absorption of glucose. It also provides a feeling of fullness, which can help control appetite and maintain a healthy body weight.

Low-Calorie
Strawberries are low in calories, which means they can be consumed without worrying about gaining weight. For every 100 grams of strawberries, there are usually about 30-40 calories. Eating strawberries as snacks can help satisfy appetite and avoid reaching for high-calorie snacks that can negatively affect blood sugar levels.

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Allegedly You Can Give Children Medicine in Strawberries (Strawberry Trick). How Is It Done?

Administering medication to children using strawberries can be an effective way to encourage them to take their medicine, especially if they are picky or have reservations about taking medications. Here are a few ways to do this:

Mixing with Strawberry Puree:
If the medication is in liquid or powder form, it can be mixed with strawberry puree. Make sure the child eats the entire portion to receive the correct dose of medication.

Inserting a Pill into a Strawberry:
If the pill can be swallowed whole, you might try inserting it into the center of a strawberry. Make a small indentation in the strawberry, place the pill in it, and give it to the child. Ensure the strawberry is not too large, so the child can eat it whole.

Making Strawberry Smoothies:
If the medication is in liquid form, you can add it to a strawberry smoothie. This is a good way to disguise the taste of the medication.

Using Strawberry Syrup:
If the medication has an unpleasant taste, you can try to mask it with strawberry syrup. However, this method may not be suitable for all medications, so it is advisable to consult with a doctor.

Remember to always consult with a doctor about the possibility of mixing medication with food, as some medications may interact with certain foods or their ingredients, which could affect their effectiveness. Additionally, always ensure that the child receives the correct dose of medication.

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When to Plant Strawberries? Spring vs. Summer vs. Fall

In gardening practice, we distinguish three planting terms for strawberries: spring, summer, and autumn. It’s hard to say which one is the best, as each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Spring Planting:

The most popular is spring planting after the frosts have ceased, usually from mid-March to the end of May. Plants planted at this time benefit from:

  • Large water reserves in the soil, helping them take root without losses.
  • They quickly form a strong root system, showing rapid growth.

While the first crop from spring-planted strawberries may not be abundant, the plants have plenty of time until autumn to:

  • Root deeply and
  • Produce a multitude of flower bud initiations, which will determine the yield in the following year.

Summer Planting:

Summer planting (July or August) is also highly recommended. Key benefits include:

  • Like spring planting, plants have enough time until autumn to establish a strong root system.
  • They also generate many flower bud initiations, typically resulting in a full fruit yield the following year.

Additionally, the period requiring maintenance treatments is shorter compared to spring planting. However, summer planting has its drawbacks:

  • There is often a shortage of strongly rooted seedlings during this time, leading to higher prices.
  • Summer can bring a deficit of water in the soil, necessitating regular irrigation of the plants.

To solve this, we recommend purchasing potted seedlings, which are available at our farm.

In July, we usually offer large quantities of well-rooted seedlings in a full range of varieties.

Autumn Planting:

Autumn planting (September, October) is also common. The main advantage of this period is the availability of strongly rooted seedlings in large quantities. However, late autumn planting comes with a higher risk of the plants freezing during winter, especially for strawberry varieties from warmer regions than Central Europe.

To protect the plants, we recommend using white agrotextile, which will help them survive the winter months.

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Advice for Fans of Everbearing or Day-Neutral Strawberries

The cultivation of everbearing strawberry varieties differs quite significantly from traditional varieties in some respects. First and foremost, thanks to their unique vegetation cycle, the fruit harvesting period is extended not by weeks, but by several months!

Soil requirements for everbearing varieties are similar to those for traditional varieties:

  • The soil should be warm, fertile, and permeable.
  • pH levels should be regulated between 5.5-6, with a maximum of 6.5.
  • It is crucial to plant in well-cultivated soil free from troublesome weeds like couch grass, thistle, and horsetail. These weeds, known as perennials, should be eradicated before planting.

In terms of climatic requirements, many everbearing varieties originate from warmer climates, so it’s advisable to cover them during winter with white agrotextile.

Planting Tips:

  • Plant everbearing strawberries early in the spring to allow them to produce 4 to 5 fruit sets by the end of the season.
  • Remove the first flower stalks (from the previous year), which are not significant for yield. This helps the plants form a strong root system and leads to larger fruit sets later.

Fertilization Needs:

Everbearing varieties require more frequent feeding throughout the fruiting period with:

  • Small doses of multi-component fertilizers.
  • Fertilizers specifically designed for strawberries.

Weed Control:

  • Regular weeding and hoeing are essential.
  • Cutting out runners is critical for maximizing yield.

Disease and Pest Control:

In commercial plantations, chemical protection is often used, but I recommend avoiding these products in amateur cultivation. Instead, opt for biopreparations, which are equally effective and safe for health.

Winter Protection:

As mentioned, everbearing strawberries, bred in warmer climates like California, Italy, and Spain, need winter covering with white agrotextile. However, do not rush to cover them—wait until the soil freezes and the plants enter their dormancy period.

Visit our store for:

  • Fertilizers designed for strawberries
  • White and black agrotextile
  • Ecological plant protection products (biopreparations)
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Chemical-Free Gardening: Natural Weed Control Methods for Strawberry Cultivation

On large production plantations, the standard for combating weeds is the use of herbicides. Unfortunately, many studies indicate that they are not indifferent to our health, which is why I advise against their use in amateur strawberry cultivation. Weeds, depending on the species, differ in the degree of nuisance. So-called spring ephemeral weeds rarely pose a serious problem, they can be easily pulled out or cut with a hoe and the matter is settled. However, the real challenge may be the so-called perennial weeds, such as couch grass, thistle, or horsetail. Here, pulling or hoeing will not help much, so they should be eliminated before planting strawberries because, in my opinion, planting strawberries in a place heavily “infested with couch grass” makes no sense. Continue reading “Chemical-Free Gardening: Natural Weed Control Methods for Strawberry Cultivation”

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