[Katejs]

I managed to unearth some of my strawberry plants today and was surprised to see that they have tiny flower buds.   Should those be there so early?  And does the fact that they are there mean that I now need to protect them from frost?

[gavinjconway]

Hi Kate - I wouldn't worry..  its because the weather has been so different this year. Strawberries are really strong and need cold conditions. The flowers will probable not produce anything an just stay small and die off..

[Trillium]

Strawberries are so hardy that its better to never cover them as it tends to hold in the damp and cause fungal problems on berries.

As gavin says, just leave them and they'll sort themselves out. The weather fools a lot of plants but they get there in the end.

[Katejs]

Ta both - if it's bad for them to be covered I guess I'd better get on and rescue the rest of them from their duvet of speedwell!