To winterize strawberry plants, there are a few steps you can take to protect them from the cold and ensure a good crop of berries next year. Here are some tips from the search results:
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Renovate: After harvesting, remove any dead leaves, runners, and other debris from the plants.
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Fertilize: Apply a balanced fertilizer to the plants to help them grow and produce fruit next year.
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Water: Water the plants until the first frost, but stop when temperatures drop.
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Mulch: Cover the plants with a loose mulch to a depth of 3 to 5 inches. Good choices include straw, clean hay, bark chips, chopped cornstalks or cobs, evergreen branches, or pine straw. Avoid using materials like leaves or grass clippings, which tend to mat.
Its important to apply the mulch when the plants are fully dormant, as covering them too soon can cause them to fail to harden off and risk damaging the plant crowns. Mulching helps protect the plants from cold winter air and prevents damage to next springs buds. If you live in a frost-prone area or want to be on the safe side, you can also cover the plants with brushwood, straw, or fleece when overwintering strawberries in pots and wrap the planters with jute, garden fleece, or cardboard. Remember to keep the plants covered until the last late frost because strawberry flowers are sensitive to frost.
