What to Do With Plants After the Strawberry Season

Why Winterize?

• Strawberries plants set their buds for the subsequent growing season in the summer and early fall. If you do not properly winterize your plants to protect them from harsh winter weather, they may suffer damage and not bear fruit, the Purdue University Extension reports. Damage can occur at temperatures below 15 degrees F, so you will need to winterize your plants if temperatures dip that low in your area during the winter.

Mulching

• Mulching is one of the most important steps in winterizing your strawberry plants; mulch can insulate and protect the plants from the cold. However, wait until the plants go dormant before piling on the mulch. The Purdue extension service advises mulching before temperatures drop to 20 degrees F. Mulching too early in the fall can cause rotting. Options for winter mulch include hay, bark chips, corn cobs, corn stalks and hay. Pile the mulch on each plant to a height of 2 to 3 inches.

Fertilizing

• You can also fertilize your plants after the growing season to help prep them for the next year. The University of Illinois recommends using a 10-10-10 fertilizer in September because the nutrients will promote new growth. Follow label directions with regards to how much to apply. A general rule is to spread 3 pounds of fertilizer for every 100 square feet of garden space.

Weeding

• Fall is also a good time to fully weed your strawberry beds and apply herbicides if necessary to control weed growth, the Illinois extension reports. Hand pull small clumps of invasive plants, but use an herbicide if you have large areas of weeds near your strawberry plants. Either spot spray herbicide on the weeds or broadcast over the area. Look for an herbicide recommended especially for strawberries, the extension advises.

Inspect Your Plants

• As winter approaches, inspect your plants to see if pests or diseases are harming or damaging them. Visually inspect the plants for powdery mildew or leaf spot, and remove any diseased or damaged leaves. If your strawberries suffer from these plant diseases, consider applying an appropriate fungicide, the University of Illinois extension suggests. Also look for aphids and other pests, which can damage the plants. If your plants are infested, spray them with an appropriate insecticide.