Growing strawberries in the home garden, Disease
Source: University of Minnesota Ext.
Photo Source: Unsplash,
Diseases of strawberries
Identify and manage fungal diseases
Gray mold, leaf blight, leaf scorch and leaf spot are caused by different fungi but are managed mostly in the same way.
Choose sites with full sun, good soil drainage and air circulation. Fungi require long periods of continuous wetness to infect plants. Any practice that promotes quick drying of leaves and fruit will reduce disease.
Remove weeds to improve air circulation around plants.
Plant in rows or narrow beds, no wider than 12-18 inches, to promote good air movement in and around plants. Patches grow with time as new runners are produced. Use renovation to maintain narrow beds.
Renovate strawberry beds every year after harvest.
Following renovation, rake and remove old leaves.
Irrigate with drip irrigation or a soaker hose. If overhead sprinkling is your only option, water early in the morning on a sunny day so leaves dry quickly after irrigation.
Apply nitrogen fertilizers after renovation. Avoid early spring applications of nitrogen which encourage overly lush growth that reduces airflow and promotes a moist microclimate optimal for the growth of fungal diseases.
Fungicides are either not necessary or not available to home growers to control these diseases.
Cultural control practices usually reduce disease to a manageable level.
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