As the crisp air of fall settles in and the growing season winds down, it’s time to think about protecting your strawberry plants so they come back strong and fruitful next spring. Winter can be harsh on these delicate plants, but with the right preparation, your strawberries will survive the cold and reward you with bountiful harvests year after year. Here’s a simple, easy-to-follow guide on how to get strawberry plants ready for winter.
Why Winterizing Strawberry Plants Matters
Strawberries are hardy perennials that naturally endure winter dormancy. However, their crowns and roots are vulnerable to freezing temperatures, especially below 15°F (-9°C). Without protection, cold can damage or kill the plants, reducing next year’s yield. Winterizing helps insulate the plants, maintain soil moisture, and prevent frost damage, ensuring your strawberry patch thrives come spring.
Four Key Steps to Prepare Strawberry Plants for Winter
1. Renovate and Prune Your Strawberry Patch
After harvesting the last berries of the season, it’s time to clean up your strawberry bed. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged leaves and plants. For June-bearing and everbearing varieties, prune the foliage down to about 1-2 inches above the crown using clean, sharp garden shears. If you have a large patch, you can mow the leaves at a tall setting, but do this within a week after harvest to avoid harming new growth.
Also, thin out overcrowded plants so they are spaced about 4-6 inches apart or roughly five plants per square foot. This renovation reduces disease risk and promotes healthy growth next year.
2. Fertilize to Boost Winter Hardiness
About a month before your area’s average first frost date, apply a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium). This helps the plants build up energy reserves to survive winter and support early spring growth. Follow the fertilizer package instructions carefully for the right amount.
3. Water Consistently Until Dormancy
Keep your strawberry plants well-watered through the fall, especially if rainfall is scarce. Moist soil holds heat better than dry soil and protects roots from freezing. Once the first hard frost hits and the plants go dormant, you can stop watering.
4. Apply a Protective Mulch Layer
Mulching is the most crucial step to winterize strawberries. After the first frost but before temperatures drop below 20°F (-6°C), cover your plants with a 4-6 inch layer of natural, lightweight mulch. Good options include clean straw (not hay, which can contain weed seeds), pine needles, salt marsh hay, or shredded leaves.
The mulch acts as insulation, keeping the soil temperature stable and protecting the crowns from freezing. In windy areas, you can secure the mulch with chicken wire or a light cover. For raised beds, make sure the mulch fully covers the plants.
Special Tips for Container Strawberry Plants
Strawberries grown in pots need extra care because their roots are more exposed to cold. After pruning and fertilizing, add a 4-6 inch dense layer of straw mulch over the pot’s soil surface. To protect the root zone, wrap the pot with bubble wrap, burlap, or a blanket, and move it to a sheltered spot like an unheated garage or shed.
If possible, bury the container in the ground and cover it with mulch. During dormancy, keep the soil moist but not soggy. When spring arrives, gradually remove the mulch and bring pots outdoors after the last frost date.
Additional Winter Protection Strategies
– Wait for Dormancy: Before mulching, ensure the plants are fully dormant by waiting for at least three consecutive nights with temperatures below 20°F (-6°C). Mulching too early can trap moisture and cause rot.
– Use Frost Blankets or Row Covers: In extremely cold climates, an extra layer like a frost blanket or low tunnel can provide additional protection over the mulch.
– Remove Mulch Gradually in Spring: As temperatures warm and plants start to grow, slowly remove the mulch to avoid shocking the plants. Keep some mulch around the base to keep fruit off the soil and reduce rot.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
– Using hay instead of straw for mulch, which can introduce weeds.
– Mulching before plants are dormant, which may cause fungal issues.
– Neglecting to water during dry fall periods.
– Failing to thin overcrowded plants, increasing disease risk.
Final Thoughts
Getting your strawberry plants ready for winter doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little pruning, fertilizing, watering, and mulching, you’ll protect your plants from harsh cold and set the stage for a juicy, fruitful spring harvest. So grab your gardening gloves and get your strawberry patch cozy for winter!
Your efforts now will pay off with sweet rewards when the berries start ripening again. Happy gardening!