Protect strawberry plants from cold damage with these autumn care tips.
June-bearing, everbearing, and day-neutral strawberries can all be grown as perennials in most areas.
Andy Lyons
Why Winterize Strawberries?
Credit:Andy Lyons
Most strawberry plants can technically overwinter in growingUSDA Zones 4 and warmer.
However, extreme cold temperatures can prove fatal to strawberry plants if they dont have extra winter protection.
If temperatures dropbelow 15F, unprotected strawberry plants will likely die back and not return the following year.
Credit:Marty Baldwin
When winterizing strawberries, its important to time the mulch app properly.
Extreme cold may damage the plants if they are mulched too late in the season.
Youll know its time to mulch when the strawberry leaves turn brown and are floppy.
Its wise to renovate strawberry plants after theyre done fruiting, inlate July to early August.
If you have a large patch of strawberries, cut them back with your lawnmower.
The best time to mulch strawberries is usually inNovember or Decemberwhen plants are starting to go dormant.
Over time, lightweight mulches become more compact and shrink to about 2 to 3 inches deep.
Renovate and fertilize the plants after theyre done fruiting, and apply mulch.
However, container-grown strawberries need extra protection to get them through the winter.
Gardeners in mild climates may be able to keep potted strawberries outdoors all year round.
