Strawberries

[diamond lil]

Our strawbs have been great this year but are now starting to tail off. What should I do with them over winter? They are in two big planters and have many runners - do I cut them off and root them, or what?

[jansman]

Our strawbs have been great this year but are now starting to tail off. What should I do with them over winter? They are in two big planters and have many runners - do I cut them off and root them, or what?

Get some 3” plant pots of compost and where there are leaves on the runners stick that bit into a pot. I use a bit of bent wire to peg it down ‘til it roots. Only when the little plant has rooted, do you cut the runner. Keep them well watered. It wouldn’t hurt to shelter them over winter, especially in Scotland, but that is all they will need, as they are quite hardy.

[Appin]

This is really weird for me. When I was about 8 yrs old we had a mad science teacher who came in periodically to my primary school.

One of his lessons was on strawberry growing.

His basic point still sticks with me nearly 50 yrs later.

Strawberry plants have a natural 3 year cycle. So when runners appear from your first plant. train them over into a fresh row or pot and as Jansman says leave them connected util the new plant is established, then cut the runner. Repeat the following year with the newest plants.The original plant is usually good for 3 years but after their third season should be binned. Of course by then you will have two new generations, one 1 yr old and another 2 yrs old.

Has anyone else come across this approach? The odd thing was Mr Gover was usually right on the money with his science in retrospect.

Appin

[diamond lil]

Great help, ta both of you