Surviving the Cold: A Guide to Preparing Strawberry Plants for Winter

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Winter can be a difficult season for gardeners, especially those who have delicate plants like strawberries. Proper strawberry plant preparation can make the difference between a successful harvest and a tragic loss.

This article aims to provide gardeners with a detailed approach on preparing their strawberry plants for winter.

Winter can provide a lot of obstacles for gardeners, particularly for plants that are not acclimated to colder temperatures. Preparation is essential for protecting your plants and guaranteeing a prosperous spring.

Some gardeners bring delicate plants indoors, while others shelter their beds with materials such as mulch or fleece. Whatever method you use, taking care of your plants during the winter months is critical to their health and survival.

Understanding the Needs of Strawberry Plants in Winter

Understanding the cold tolerance of the kinds you’ve planted is one of the first stages in preparing your strawberry plants for winter. Strawberry types can differ in their susceptibility to cold weather, with some being more resilient than others. Before winter approaches, research the individual demands of your strawberry plants and take the necessary precautions.

Here is a list of strawberry plant varieties that are popular in the UK throughout the winter.

Variety	Characteristics
Winter Dawn	Early ripening variety with high yields of large, sweet berries. Resistant to frost and disease.
Elsanta	A popular variety known for its high yields and sweet, juicy berries. Resistant to frost and disease.
Albion	A newer variety with high yields of firm, flavourful berries. Resistant to frost and disease.
Honeoye	Early ripening variety with high yields of sweet, flavourful berries. Resistant to frost and disease.
Seascape	A newer variety known for its high yields and sweet, juicy berries. Resistant to frost and disease.

Should you mulch strawberries for the winter?

Mulching is a typical gardening method used to protect plants throughout the winter months. Mulching is a crucial aspect of strawberry winter preparation because it keeps the soil temperature steady and protects the crowns and roots from freezing.

Mulch, such as straw or leaves, can insulate the soil and protect the roots of your strawberry plants from the elements. It can also assist to keep soil moisture levels stable, which is especially crucial in cold-weather places where the ground is frozen.

Here are some materials that can be used for mulching:

• Straw: Straw is a popular mulching material for strawberry plants. It creates a warm, insulating layer for the soil and roots and aids in moisture retention.
• Leaves: Deciduous tree leaves such as oak or maple can be used to mulch strawberry plants. They act as insulation and aid in the regulation of soil temperature.
• Shredded wood chips or bark: As a mulch for strawberry plants, use shredded wood chips or bark. They provide insulation and aid in temperature regulation, but they can also contribute to soil acidification over time.
• Compost: Compost can also be used as a mulch around strawberry plants. It provides insulation and aids in temperature regulation, as well as enhancing soil fertility and structure.
• Fleece: Cover the entire strawberry bed with fleece to provide insulation and protection from harsh winter weather.

When mulching, use a thick layer of debris and avoid covering the plant crowns, which might cause them to decay. Furthermore, be aware of the sort of mulch you apply, since some materials, such as straw, may contain seeds that will grow in your garden.

Choose an insulating mulch, such as straw or leaves, and scatter it around the plants to a depth of at least 3 inches, pulling it away from the crowns to prevent rot.

Do you have to water strawberry plants in the winter?

Monitoring soil moisture levels is another key component of preparing your strawberry plants for winter. Winter weather can cause soil to dry up quickly, which might injure your plants’ roots. Regular soil moisture monitoring will help you recognize when your plants need water and prevent root damage. A soil moisture meter, which is commonly accessible in gardening and home improvement stores, can be a handy instrument for monitoring moisture levels.

By understanding your strawberry plants’ individual demands, you can guarantee that they receive the care and protection they require to survive the winter and grow in the spring.

Preparing Your Strawberry Beds for Winter

Prior to the arrival of winter, it is critical to remove any dead or diseased leaves from your strawberry beds. This lowers the risk of disease and pests while also making it easy to inspect your plants for signs of damage or sickness. Simply remove any foliage that has become yellow or brown and dispose of it in the compost or garbage to remove dead leaves.

After you’ve removed any dead leaves, put a layer of mulch to your strawberry beds. This will insulate the soil and roots and help to keep soil moisture levels stable over the winter months. A layer of mulch 7-10cm (3-4 inches) thick is ideal.

Covering your strawberry plants with fleece or protective covers is another alternative for winter protection. This will provide insulation and protection from harsh winter weather, allowing your plants to survive the winter and produce fruit in the spring. Fleece or protective covers, which are easy to use and provide an excellent barrier against the weather, can be bought at garden centers or online.

Do you cut back strawberries for winter?

The answer to this question depends on the type of strawberry plants you have. For June-bearing strawberry plants, which produce fruit once a year, it is generally recommended to cut back the foliage after the fruit has been harvested. This helps to reduce the risk of disease and pests, and makes it easier to inspect the plants for any signs of damage or disease. Simply remove any foliage that has turned yellow or brown, and dispose of it in the compost or trash.

For everbearing and day-neutral strawberries, which produce fruit continuously throughout the growing season, it is generally not recommended to cut back the foliage in the winter. These plants will continue to produce fruit throughout the winter months, and cutting back the foliage can reduce the amount of fruit produced. Instead, it is recommended to simply provide a thick layer of mulch to the beds to provide insulation and protection for the plants during the winter months.

The decision to cut back strawberry plants for winter depends on the type of plants you have and your goals for the fruit production. If you have June-bearing plants, it is generally recommended to cut back the foliage after the fruit has been harvested, while everbearing and day-neutral plants should not be cut back to maximize fruit production.

Caring for Strawberry Plants During Winter Months

Regular Monitoring of Soil Moisture Levels

During the winter months, it is important to monitor the soil moisture levels of your strawberry plants. The mulch that you added to the beds will help to maintain soil moisture, but it is still important to check regularly and water the plants if necessary. Over-watering can lead to root rot, so it is important to ensure that the soil is not waterlogged.

Protecting the Plants from Extreme Weather Conditions

Winter in the UK can be harsh, and it is important to take steps to protect your strawberry plants from extreme weather conditions such as heavy snow, strong winds, and sub-zero temperatures. Covering the plants with fleece or protective covers is a good way to protect them, and adding extra mulch to the beds can also help to provide additional insulation.

Regular Inspection for Any Signs of Pests or Diseases

Regular inspections of your strawberry plants are important to ensure that they are healthy and free from pests or diseases. Check the leaves and stems for any signs of damage, and be on the lookout for any pests such as slugs or snails. If you notice any signs of pest or disease damage, take action immediately to address the issue and prevent it from spreading.

Planting Hardier Varieties

One of the best ways to care for your strawberry plants during the winter is to plant hardier varieties that can tolerate colder temperatures better than other varieties. Look for varieties that are noted to have good cold tolerance, and replace any older plants with newer ones that have a greater resistance to frost.

Create Temporary Partial Protective Covers for Cold Spells and Heavy Snowfall

For extreme weather protection, create a temporary partial cold frame for individual plants or for rows of strawberry plants. To do this, purchase 6-mil plastic sheeting and make a tunnel of shelter from snow and heavy frost.

Pound stakes into the ground around each end of the frame and drape the plastic over the frame in an arch shape. This will allow the sun’s heat to penetrate during daylight hours while protecting from below freezing temperatures at night.

Recommended Products for Winterising Strawberry Plants

In truth, most strawberry plants don’t need a huge amount of protection or fuss around them during the winter. Building a cold frame or covering them with mulch can improve things though.

These products are products we or gardening friends of ours have used in the past to improve our strawberry harvest and save strawberry plants over the winter.

Fleece Covers and Protective Covers

Investing in a high-quality fleece cover and protective cover is a great way to protect your strawberry plants from winter weather. These covers provide insulation and protection and can help to extend the growing season by a few weeks. There are many different types of fleece and protective covers available, and it is important to choose one suitable for your particular climate and growing conditions.

This fleece cover from Abimars Garden Fleece comes highly recommended and we are big fans for our own plants! Equally, building a cold frame like this Wooden Framed Polycarbonate Cold Frame from Outsunny is a great idea. We and many other gardeners we know and trust have used similar cold frames and seen great results.

Compost and Fertilisers

Using a good quality compost and fertiliser is an important part of maintaining healthy strawberry plants. Compost provides the plants with essential nutrients, while fertilizers help to support growth and improve fruit production.

There are many different types of compost and fertiliser available, and it is important to choose one like Vitax Organic Strawberry Feed that is specifically formulated for strawberries.

Soil Moisture Meters

Using mulch to protect your strawberry plants from winter weather is an important part of winterising your plants. A good quality mulch will provide insulation, retain soil moisture, and help to prevent soil erosion.

Soil moisture meters like this 4-in-1 Digital Plant Soil Moisture Meter from Mcbazel is a useful tool for monitoring soil moisture levels, and can help to ensure that you are watering your plants correctly.

What to do with strawberry plants at the end of the season?

At the end of the growing season, there are several steps that you can take to care for your strawberry plants and prepare them for winter. Some of the key steps include:

• Clearing away dead leaves and debris: This helps to reduce the risk of disease and pest problems, and allows you to monitor the health of your plants.
• Removing spent fruiting canes: Once the fruits have been harvested, remove the canes that produced fruit and dispose of them.
• Trimming back the foliage: This helps to promote better air circulation and reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
• Adding a layer of mulch: Mulch provides insulation and helps to retain soil moisture, which is especially important during winter.
• Covering the plants with protective covers or fleece: This provides additional insulation and protects the plants from extreme weather conditions.
• Monitoring soil moisture levels: Regular monitoring of soil moisture levels is important to ensure that your plants have adequate water, especially during dry periods.

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