Strawberry Harmony

The variety with the amazing name Harmony refers to garden strawberries with neutral daylight hours. This means that its fruiting does not depend on its duration. This characteristic allows you to get a rich harvest in different regions of the country. The fruits are universal, they are eaten in their natural form and used to prepare delicious dishes.

Harmony Strawberry is a new variety that is just starting to gain momentum in popularity. It was brought out by professional breeders from Holland in 2019. Gardeners who have already personally appreciated this variety note that it fully corresponds to the name. Garden strawberry combines high gastronomic and aesthetic qualities.

You can determine the garden culture Harmony by small, medium-sized bushes. They are compact and tidy, which allows strawberries to be grown in small areas. The leaves of an adult plant acquire a dark green color, the coating is glossy, with a slight sheen.

Harmony is great for commercial cultivation, however, the plant easily takes root on its site and pleases with a high-quality harvest.

Harmony refers to varieties with an early ripening period. The fruiting period is quite long. It starts in May and ends in mid-autumn (October). This is a remontant fruit crop that is capable of bearing fruit several times during one growing season.

The strawberry yield is noted as very high. The marketability of berries is high, while they easily tolerate transportation, retaining their shape and taste. The fruits can be stored for a long time or frozen. In a warm climate, berries ripen even in November. During one season, 3-4 crops can be harvested. Up to 3 kilograms of berries are obtained from one bush.

Ripe fruits acquire a bright red color. The surface is glossy. The sizes are large. Weight - 30 grams, some specimens can reach 50 grams. This characteristic depends on compliance with agricultural technology and weather conditions. The fruits are conical, but the first crop may be irregular. Dense, juicy and fleshy pulp.

The taste of the fruit is described as sweet, with a slight sourness. Apricot flavor is noticeable. A delicate strawberry aroma should be noted separately.

Harmony Berries are often used as an ingredient in aromatic and delicious desserts. When frozen, they do not lose their shape and gastronomic quality.

As they grow, the bushes form a large number of whiskers, which must be removed to obtain large fruits. When growing between bushes, you need to leave from 30 to 40 centimeters. Irrigation intensity is medium. The variety is difficult to care for and should only be chosen by experienced gardeners.

In order for the bushes to regularly delight with a bountiful harvest, it is imperative to perform the following steps:

• loosening the soil around the plants;

• removal of weeds;

• fertilization;

• preventive treatment against diseases and pests;

• removal of excess antennae;

• soil mulching;

• moderate irrigation.

With strict adherence to agricultural technology, the bushes will feel comfortable even in not very comfortable weather conditions.

As with the cultivation of most varieties of garden strawberries, for Harmony you need to choose an illuminated area that is protected from drafts and strong gusts of wind. Maximum fruiting can be achieved on fertile soil saturated with micronutrients. Most gardeners recommend growing this variety on black soil.

Garden culture loves sunlight. It is necessary for the berries to be bright and sweet. And also the rays will not allow moisture to accumulate, which negatively affects the health of the root system. Swampy ground is not suitable for strawberries. For soil that retains moisture, drip irrigation and drainage systems are used.

Bisexual flowers allow this variety to pollinate on its own. The bushes bloom profusely. Peduncles are tall and strong.

Almost all modern varieties of garden strawberries have both female and male flowers. This characteristic makes plantation maintenance easier.

You need to feed the bushes regularly. Due to the fact that the variety is remontant and bears fruit several times per season, it constantly needs nutrients. Fertilizers are recommended to be applied to the soil once a month. Compositions containing potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen are widely used.

Organic compounds can be used too. They are highly efficient and affordable. In the conditions of a garden plantation, they are fed with a tincture of cow dung or nettle leaves. Wood ash is widespread. It nourishes the soil and also kills harmful bacteria.

Before the onset of winter, the berry plantation must be prepared for wintering, otherwise the bushes may not survive the frost. To begin with, the plants should be thoroughly fed, large and dry leaves are removed, and the plants are covered (using agrofibre, straw, sawdust, coniferous branches). On the territory of the southern regions, Harmony strawberries do not need to be covered. Thanks to innate frost resistance, strawberries will remain unharmed.

The fruit crop differs from other varieties in its high resistance to many diseases and insects. Harmony is not afraid of gray rot and late blight. Despite this characteristic, it is recommended to carry out regular preventive treatment to protect the crop and bushes.

The beds should be regularly cleared of weeds. With the arrival of spring, the top layer of soil is dug up, because the root system needs oxygen. And also wood ash or lime is introduced into the ground. They effectively protect garden strawberries from pests.

If there is a suspicion of the presence of diseases, spraying with insecticides is performed. Marigolds scare off harmful insects, so they should be planted next to strawberry beds.

It is impossible to use chemical preparations during the fruiting period of the plant. Berries absorb aggressive ingredients.

The variety is propagated with a mustache. For this, 2-3 shoots are left on the mother plant, which are rooted. The rest of the whiskers are removed so that they do not take away the strength and nutritional components of the plant. The rosettes are rooted, after which they are separated from the mother plant.

Sprouts are planted in the summer, it is advisable to do the work in August. Before winter arrives, they will have time to take root and take root. It is recommended to arrange the beds in 2-3 rows. When propagating, you can choose only healthy and large plants.

If you do not want to independently breed garden strawberries, you can increase the plantation with purchased seedlings.