[m1ckz]

morning all  im told now the fruit is picked i should cut down the leaves to ground lelel    is this good for the plant  ty

[Headgardener22]

Yes it is.

I remove all the leaves and any mulch (straw or whatever) from around the plants to prevent the build up of pests and diseases.

You also need to decide whether you're going to take runners to create new plants or cut them off to allow the plants to strengthen. The received wisdom is that the plants should be replaced every three years or so and that you should plant them in a new place.

[sunshineband]

I usually give mine a feed of BFB too, to start them on their way again 

[LilacSandy]

I would also think about adding some more different types as my patch will continue cropping for several weeks yet.

[loafboy]

I've totally emptied the 3 strawberry beds as they were a mishmash of very old plants, seeded runners and weeds. So i totally cleared everything, dug over and topped up with fresh compost, i've then purchased 3 news varieties off fleabay as bare roots. All plants have now come up and are looking healthy.

I've sown 3 beds with 21 plants in each, so is it best that i just cut off the runners and cut down after the first season? And then repeat this process every 3 years? I've taken runners before but for some reason they never seem to be as strong as the original plants.

I think the plants were a only tenner in total for 60 odd so if thats the best thing to do then i'll carry on doing that.

[loafboy]

Anyone?

[Beetroot Queen]

We always get a second flush of strawberries in a few weeks so we never cut ours down  Didnt know you should

[AnneB]

We always get a second flush of strawberries in a few weeks so we never cut ours down  Didnt know you should

Me too BQ.  I have never cut ours back.  This is the third year for ours and they have always done well.  We are extending the size of the strawberry bed this year, so will plant up runners and buy new for the rest.

[loafboy]

Confused now, does anyone cut em back?

[Headgardener22]

I do, but it possibly depends upon the variety.

Are there any new flowers showing? Its unlikely that you'll get more fruit unless there are flowers at the moment.

[loafboy]

They are all new plants, some with red fruit on, different variety green fruit, will ripen in a few weeks, last variety will fruit end summer. I'm thinking end of season I chop em all down?