Growing your own strawberries definitely takes a little TLC. Beyond just keeping them watered and fed, mulching is a total game-changer for a healthy harvest. One of my favorite options is bark mulch—it’s a completely natural material that does a fantastic job of protecting your berry patch.
The Perks of Using Bark Mulch
Strawberries love soaking up the sun, but they also need plenty of moisture to stay happy. On those scorching summer days, water evaporates from the soil way too fast, leaving your plants stressed and thirsty. By spreading a layer of bark mulch around your plants, you’re essentially creating a blanket that locks that moisture in the ground where it belongs.
As a bonus, mulch helps keep the soil temperature steady, protecting your strawberries from those unexpected chilly snaps in early spring. When you’re applying it, aim for a nice, even layer about an inch thick (around two to three centimeters). It’s best to start mulching right after you plant them, since consistent moisture is super important while they’re getting established.
Finally, let’s talk about the fruit itself. As your strawberries get big and juicy, they tend to sag toward the ground. If they sit directly on damp soil, they’ll start to rot before you even get a chance to pick them. Bark mulch acts as a clean, dry barrier between the berries and the dirt, drying out much faster than soil and keeping your harvest fresh and rot-free!
