[Grubbypaws]

My books say to cut foliage back after fruiting to leave just the central young leaves. Can anyone explain to me why this is so? Why remove healthy leaves that are still providing energy to the plant?

[Nobbie]

I think it’s a convenience thing. Easier to cut off all the runners, leaves and fruiting stalks in one go and make clearing the bed of weeds easier. I’ve heard people mention getting rid of diseased leaves, but the plant will still be infected, so it doesn’t cure that.

Probably doesn’t do them much harm though and probably worth it for the saving in effort.

[jaydig]

I don't cut mine back until the beginning of winter as it is said that if the central growing point of a strawberry plant is exposed to the cold it initiates the production of more flowers, therefore more fruit

[Aunt Sally]

You only need to trim the leaves from summer-fruiting varieties. Do this when the plants have finished cropping  and cut off the old leaves 3 or 4in above the crown, fresh leaves will then grow ready for next year.

Autumn fruiting plants can just have a tidy up at the end of their fruiting season.

[AndyRVTR]

Funnily enough I saw a video yesterday showing exactly this method and the person said it encourages the plant to grow more fruit for the following season!

[Aunt Sally]

Funnily enough I saw a video yesterday showing exactly this method and the person said it encourages the plant to grow more fruit for the following season!

I believe it does 

[Potty Plotty Lotty]

Funnily enough I saw a video yesterday showing exactly this method and the person said it encourages the plant to grow more fruit for the following season!

Yes-I have a booklet from Ken Muir (now closed) that says something like this. If I can dig it out I'll see if I can find the rationalisation for this.