strawberry after care

**ckfe** · 24-07-2009, 05:13 PM

Originally posted by crazii_c View Post

hi, this was my first year growning strawberrys. i got the plants last autumn and have had fruit from all the plants. ive got three types: red gaunlet, hapil and elsanta all grown in pots.

they've finished fruiting and i was wondering about what to do with them now. i heard somewhere that you cut back alll the leaves ready for winter. i was wondering if someone could explain what to do and what time of year is best to do it?

i'd like to know the answer to this too (even though i'm not sure they deserve keeping seeing as 7 plants gave me less than 10 edible strawberries

**Lovage** · 24-07-2009, 06:20 PM

Cutting back old foliage can stimulate new growth and also help to reduce spread of diseases.
In an old country garden I used to look after we used to set fire to the straw laid under the plants. This removed the old leaves, any pests and mouldy fruit - new growth would follow in days

**scarey55** · 24-07-2009, 06:30 PM

Originally posted by ckfe View Post

i'd like to know the answer to this too (even though i'm not sure they deserve keeping seeing as 7 plants gave me less than 10 edible strawberries

Is this your first year with them? They get better in year 2 and brilliant in year 3. Give them another chance and they might reward you after all

Sorry crazii_c, I don't know the answer to your question, I just leave mine to get on with it - I sprinkle a bit of wood ash over them in the spring but otherwise, they have to take their chances.

Oh, and welcome to the Vine

**ckfe** · 24-07-2009, 06:31 PM

Originally posted by scarey55 View Post

Is this your first year with them? They get better in year 2 and brilliant in year 3. Give them another chance and they might reward you after all

yeah it's their first year, most of them were a very odd shape and totally inedible

**scarey55** · 24-07-2009, 06:33 PM

Yup, they will be much better next year - stick with it.

**COMPOST CORNER** · 26-07-2009, 05:21 PM

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I too am new to strawberries.
I know you are not supposed to take runners from the plants in their first year, but guess what, I have.
The plants are in a tower type basket arrangement, and the runners have been planted in 3" plant pots.
My question is, how do I get these plants through the winter.
Will keeping them in an unheated GH be sufficient, or will I need some warmth in there?

**rustylady** · 26-07-2009, 08:58 PM

Originally posted by crazii_c View Post

hi, this was my first year growning strawberrys. i got the plants last autumn and have had fruit from all the plants. ive got three types: red gaunlet, hapil and elsanta all grown in pots.

What size pots? I prefer to grow my strawberries in open ground, though I have had some success growing them in troughs on the patio.

**rana** · 27-07-2009, 05:49 AM

Apart from tidying up the plants and throwing a bit of fertilizer at them I find those plants in the beds thrive on neglect. Those grown in pots, troughs or towers seem more disease prone and need constant attention for less of a reward in terms of crop.

**annacruachan** · 27-07-2009, 06:31 AM

My first year strawberries are of necessity in troughs and I have layered runners into 3" pots - obviously done all the wrong things! Do they need to overwinter in a cold greenhouse after removing the old leaves, or will they be okay outside? We rarely have a heavy frost here as we're practically on the beach. All info gratefully received.

**rustylady** · 27-07-2009, 07:13 AM

Strawberries are fully hardy so don't need to be in a greenhouse. Tidy the plants up by removing dead leaves etc and leave them outside. If you want an early crop next year then move the plants into the greenhouse in spring.

**crazii_c** · 12-08-2009, 05:48 PM

thanks everyone for your advice!

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