Winter care of strawberry plants ?

[andy]

Someone asked me the other day what do i do with my strawberry plants over winter. As this is the first year ive grown them, i wasn't too sure and hadn't really planned to do anything except leave them as they are.

They then mentioned that they'd heard that all the leaves should be removed and the crowns covered in straw or fleece. This wasn't however, the first time i'd heard this so i'd thought i'd ask the experts.

Any suggestions ?

Andy i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/kiss.gif

[Spruance]

I haven't grown strawberries as a proper crop for some years Andy, so the remaining stragglers are left to their own devices.

The main thing is to remove all of the leaves and using a pair of shears, cut back the stems to three inches (7.5cm) high. This allows for better air circulation and reduces the chance of disease. Also ensure that the crowns aren't buried as this may cause them to rot.

It is a little late in the year to be starting to propagate runners but any from your plants that have become established can either be cut from the main plant and left where they are or potted up and placed in a cool GH or cold frame to be planted out for an assured crop of new plants next year.

[carolann]

At the end of the season I just cut all the leaves and remaining runners off and I'm very careful around the crown usually around Mid September then just leave them alone till next year, I dont cover mine with anything. Come November they usually have enough new leaves to protect them from the cold. In Spring I just give a top dressing of fertilizer and hoe it around the plants. Hope this helps a little.

[Mowhay]

I'd agree with Carolann, I cut back everything after fruiting is over and then stick them in a corner until mid January when they go into the greenhouse to force them on for an early crop, they are in pots which are about 24 inches tall but only 9 inches wide at the top.

[Missredhead]

I was given 10 runners and am not sure whether to plant them out into the trough where they will be 'living' or just put them in bigger pots and stick them in the mini plastic GH.....any tips?

[Mowhay]

Just my opinion MRH but at this time of year I would pot them on and give them a chance to put some root growth on in the GH then transplant late March. But I'm no expert so I'm sure you'll get more advice.

[Missredhead]

Thanks MH.....

[Chuckles]

Didn't do strawberries this year but in the past I used to keep my plants in tall pots or hanging baskets and followed the same routine as Carolann and like Mowhay I used to pot mine on. To get new plants I would either pop the containers on the veg bed and let the runners self root or put pots of compost below them and get them going.

If you keep the plants in any type of container watch out for vine weevil

[jean]

Strawberry plants last about 3 years, after which the crop gets smaller and smaller. Its a good idea to pot on runners each year and put them in a corner or pot them on and keep them in the GH to replace any that don't make it past the winter. My strawberry bed has a few rows of plants of different maturity so hopefully I should have a decent crop each year. They are really heavy feeders so will need a good feed in early spring.

[Mowhay]

I would agree with Jean, especially if they are in pots, loads of water and feeding twice a week when they start to fruit with Tomorite. Also if in a greenhouse they flowers need hand pollinating to get a strawb every flower.

[Ladygardener]

I never knew that Mowhay, that they needed to be fed, or if I did I've forgotten.