B. Rosie Lerner
Extension Consumer Horticulturist
Editor's Note: The Oct. 19, 2006, edition
of Yard & Garden, " Prepare Your Spring Garden this Fall,"
and the November Yard & Garden Calendar inadvertently were not e-mailed
until Oct. 30, 2006. We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion that
this caused. This edition of Yard & Garden, "Winterizing Strawberry
Plants," resumes our regular publication schedule.
Perhaps the last garden chore of the season is tucking in the strawberry
planting for winter. Strawberry plants have already set their buds for
next spring's flowers and the crop can be lost unless you protect them
from harsh winter conditions. A fully dormant strawberry plant's flower
buds can be damaged at temperatures below 15 deg. F.
In addition to flower bud damage, the alternate freezing and thawing of
the soil that commonly occurs in winter and early spring can cause plant
roots to break and the plants to be heaved right out of the ground.
Mulching strawberry plants will insulate them from extreme low temperatures,
minimize soil heaving and decrease excessive drying (desiccation) of the
plant crowns. But be sure to wait until plants are dormant before you
pile on the mulch. Applying mulch too early can cause the crown of the
plant to rot. Plants should be mulched before the temperature drops below
20 deg. F, usually by late November or early December in most parts of
Several materials can be used for winter mulch, including clean (weed-free)
straw, chopped cornstalks, hay, corncobs or bark chips. Tree leaves and
grass clippings are not recommended, since they tend to mat down and smother
the plants. About 2-3 inches of mulch, after settling, should provide
Put a note on your garden calendar to uncover the plants in spring as
new growth begins. Rake off most of the mulch as soon as the first new
leaves develop. The new growth will probably look a little yellow at first
but will green up with exposure to light. Rake the mulch between the rows
to provide weed control and a source of emergency cover in case frost
threatens. Mulching around the plants will also help keep the berries