When strawberries grown in pots are finished how do I ensure they get through the winter?
Question:These are all first year plants and are fruiting well, and I want to protect them so they will reproduce even better next year. Should I take them indoors or just leave them to weather outdoors. Can I put them under glass or clear plastic to protect them?
Answers:
>Remove the runners they make this year,unless you want extra plants for next year.,in which case let the runners root into another pot of compost and separate from the parent plant when rooted. Strawberries are hardy and should survive all but the harshest winters.Make sure the pots drain OK and do not get waterlogged.If kept under a plastic tent arrangement they will be fine, Make sure it doesn't blow away in the gales. I would not bring them indoors.the second and third years are the best years for fruiting,after that they deteriorate. In the third year take plenty of runners and then discard the parent plant in the autumn.
My strawberries are out all year long and are fine! They are in a sheltered spot though. You may want to pop them in a greenhouse if you can!
Mine are outside and I cover with straw for winter. You can cover the pots but if you use plastic, cover with something else first. Plastic will tranfer cold if it is touching the plants.
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