Yard and Garden: Prepare Strawberry Plants for Winter (2024)

FAQs

Yard and Garden: Prepare Strawberry Plants for Winter? ›

Strawberries should be mulched in fall to prevent winter injury. Low temperatures and repeated freezing and thawing of the soil through the winter months are the main threats to strawberry plants. Temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit may kill flower buds and damage the roots and crowns of unmulched plants.

Winterizing strawberry plants simply involves heaping mulch over plants so they're not exposed to cold winter air. The trick is knowing when to apply the mulch. You want to cover plants when they're fully dormant. Cover too soon, and plants may fail to harden off, which means they'll definitely be damaged by cold air.

Fall Strawberry Care – One thing you don't want to do is cut back your strawberry plants in the fall. Plants should only be cut back in early summer right after they finish blooming. Pruning later can leave plants vulnerable to freezing out in the winter.

“Strawberry plants are better able to withstand colder temperatures in the middle of the winter than in the fall before they have gone through much cold weather,” Upham said. “For example, if temperatures suddenly plummet below 20 degrees Fahrenheit before the plants harden to the cold, they can be severely damaged.

Because of colder temperatures, strawberry plants growing in raised beds require more protection that ground level sites. Place 6 to 8 inches of straw or chopped cornstalks on strawberry pyramids or other raised beds in fall.

Apply straw mulch over strawberry plants in the late fall to prevent winter injury. Mulch saves the plants from drying out or being killed by cold winter temperatures. It also retains soil moisture the following spring and summer.

Winter protection is provided by mulching the strawberry planting after the plants go dormant (Picture 1). Mulch material: The best mulch for strawberries is clean wheat straw (Picture 2). It provides a good air buffer without becoming too wet and smothering the plants. Straw should be weed-free and dry.

Freeze Protection

Temperatures below 32°F will damage the fruit and flowers of strawberry plants, but the crowns and leaves will survive to temperatures in the low 20s if they have been acclimated to cool weather.

Organic products can be applied every six weeks but should be discontinued at the end of the growing season. In subsequent years, fertilize day-neutral strawberries in early spring as soon as new leaves appear. Use a balanced NPK 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. Apply a second feeding when fruit starts to develop.

Yes you can remove the runners now, or you can leave them on the plant, it won't affect fruiting. When you remove the runners, plant them out to become your strawberry plants for next season.

How do I save my strawberry plants for next year? ›

The easiest way is to dig up the already-rooted runner plants you want to keep, dirt and all, and put them into cheap plastic pots. Keep the plastic pots somewhere where it won't get too warm or too cold (avoid extreme freezing and keep the plants in their dormant state).

Plants like tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, melons, peppers, roses, mint, and okra may actually contribute to this deadly disease in strawberry plants. It is essential to note that strawberries should not even be planted in beds that have recently housed those plants on this list.

Spring frost and freeze damage can occur to buds after straw removal. The open blossoms are most sensitive to damage, while closed buds can withstand low temperatures with less risk of injury. Use irrigation or row covers to protect plants from freezing and frost.

Old leaves stop contributing to carbohydrate production, but still absorb water and nutrients. Remove these leaves to help your strawberry plants thrive without putting energy into leaves that aren't giving anything of value back.

Key points. Spring frost and freeze damage can occur to buds after straw removal. The open blossoms are most sensitive to damage, while closed buds can withstand low temperatures with less risk of injury. Use irrigation or row covers to protect plants from freezing and frost.

Following the frosts, use a sturdy trowel to dig up both the dormant strawberry plants and most of their central root system. Put them in cheap plastic pots and store as mentioned above. This will help speed the re-establishment process when you plant them out again in late winter/early spring.