[scottishislandlass]

can anyone tell me if i can allow last year's strawberry runners to produce fruit or is it best to pinch out their flowers and let the plant bulk up for next year's crop?  thanks.

[Trillium]

If the runners are still rather small, then best to pinch off flowers this year and they'll do you proud next year. If they're fairly large runners, then I personally would let them fruit this year. After all cropping is finished, manure all the plants.

[Jamie Butterworth]

I just leave mine to it and they do fine

[Goosegirl]

I agree with Trillium - depending on the size that they have bulked up to, pinch out the flowers of the small ones to let them get their strength for next year's bumper crop!