[braders1234]

Hi all, I have 3 beds of strawberries (2.4x1.2m) two are new this year, one is a couple of years old.

Can I get some advice on how to feed/care for them over the winter, I am primarily interested in feeding the soil so to speak.  As I live on the south coast frost is not normally a serious problem although I might put some fleece on if it gets really cold.

The advise I have bene able to get is a little confusing but I am thinking the following

Now – add some compost and manure mix round, but not on, the pants.

Spring – add some grow more and mulch with straw.


Any suggestions?  I have some lime and rock dust as well just purchased.

[8doubles]

Strawberries do not need protection from the weather. They need cold to fruit well next year.
A bit of compost or manure around them now and a good sprinkle of BFBone  in the spring when they start to move is what mine get.

[juvenal]

Have you taken off the old leaves with a pair of shears? Cut them down to four inches to prevent disease and give the new growth coming from the plant's centre room to thrive. Rake off and burn the old leaves.

[Blackpool rocket]

Cut them down to four inches to prevent disease and give the new growth coming from the plant's centre room to thrive.

Do you mean all round the plant, so a 4" disk.......or 4" in height......or both?

Br.

[8doubles]

I cut off all the old , imperfect leaves tight to the plant . All the good leaves will be building up the plant for next years fruiting and should be left until the weather takes it's toll .

[Mum2mj]

Just jumping on, hope you don't mind.  When's the best time to move strawberries? (And raspberries for that matter)
Thankyou! 

[juvenal]

Cut them down to four inches to prevent disease and give the new growth coming from the plant's centre room to thrive.

Do you mean all round the plant, so a 4" disk.......or 4" in height......or both?

Br.

Remove all old leaf, leaving just the centre crown of new leaves and the stalks only of the old leaf. Just go over the whole bed taking everything down to 4". That height will leave the central new leaves undamaged.