[swaine]

I'm going to grow some strawberries in plastic troughs next year. The troughs are the ones that Wilkinsons sell. About 9" wide, same depth and about 30" long.

Any advice out there about what to do during the depths of Winter,as there won't be much protection to the roots when its really cold? I could do nothing and just leave the exposed troughs on the path, I could sink the troughs in an empty bed or I could move them into the greenhouse when its really cold.

I understand that strawberries need a cold snap to get the best out of the plant ! but just how much cold can they stand?

What do you think?

[Starling]

Mine overwintered in 4 inch pots in a half collapsed plastic coldframe, stood on conctrete in the snow.
I am not reccommending this, it was only while I waited to get the plot ready, however they all survived,so I don't think you need to worry to much.
I did throw some fleece over them once they flowered if frost was predicted though

[AlotArds]

The strawbs will survive the winter, I would prep the troughs with a good manure and soil mix ready for the new year, let it have a good rot, ready for the plants.
My cuttings for next year are in 3" pots, worked ok this year.

[eeedowls]

I left mine in a terracotta planter on the patio last winter with no protection - had some lovely ones this year, and got a load of runners off them at the end of the season too...

[viettaclark]

Good!
I was worried about my 12 plants in 6"pots although they're still happily producing!!
I haven't got anywhere to put them in!!!

[aelf]

mine are going in the unheated greenhouse. It gets very cold in there over the winter so I don't know what difference it makes, just feels right to do it 

[Debz]

I left mine outside last year in the pot they had been growing in.  They were covered in snow for about 4 weeks but flowered and fruited just fine this year.

[operabunny]

After the runners have rooted I cut them off and remove any sorry looking foliage from the parent plants. All the strawbs are then left to their own devices over winter, outside. Only ever lose 1 or 2 plants (which I figure are weaker and so wouldn't fruit as well next year anyway). When the first new growth appears in spring I trim back any dead leaves and the strawbs are up and running!

In this way I have bred a collection of the strongest and tastiest strawbs for my particular conditions.