Put Strawberry Plants to Bed for the Winter

[missmanors]

If you have strawberry plants without many strawberries, it could be because you aren't protecting the the plants properly for the winter. If the plants aren't protected for the winter, you could have bud damage, or broken roots caused by the freezing/thawing during the winter. Here are some tips that could help you have a great crop of strawberries next growing season.

1. Adding mulch to a strawberry bed is essential.

2. If you do not mulch, not only might you have flower bud damage, but the freezing and thawing of the soil during the winter can cause roots to break and the plant to be heaved right out of the ground.

3. The best type of mulch for these plants is about 2-3 inches of clean, weed-free straw. Chopped corn shucks can also be used. Do not use tree leaves and grass clippings , as they tend to mat down and can smother the plants.

4. Wait until plants are dormant before you add mulch. If you add it too early, it can cause the crown of the plant to rot. But plants should be mulched before the temperature drops below 20 degrees — usually by late November or early December.

5. In the spring, rake most of the mulch off as soon as the first new leaves appear.

6. Rake the mulch between the rows to keep down weeds and to protect the plants in case of a late frost.

7. If you are planting a strawberry bed for the first time this fall, try a raised bed (garden box) for good results. Garden boxes/raised beds can be 4 feet by 4 feet or 4 feet by 8 feet - or longer if you have the space. The 4-foot width adds ease of cultivating and maintenance.

[badmomma]

Well that explains why I have no strawberries. We didn't make a bed we just transplanted some to the edge of the woods behind my house. I will start a new bed in the spring and use your tips to care for it.

I hope that my crop will be better and better. Thank you for sharing this information. I love strawberries but really have no idea how to care for them now I do.

[missmanors]

Be sure to add some straw mulch around your plants....this is the key to having a better harvest next season. Bales of straw are inexpensive and will protect your plants from winter's cold.