Topic: Strawberry Plants

[russweth]

Could anybody give me some advice on Strawberry plants please, presently they are situated in my allotment and are creating new green growth but they still have last years leaves which are brown and brittle, should I remove these and next year after they fruit cut the leaves back?
Thanks

[Flighty]

I've recently tidied mine up and removed the old leaves.  After fruiting I don't cut them back but will remove the old leaves around this time next year.

[petengade]

Same as Flighty did mine yesterday, I leave the runners to root in pots  at the end of the year, then trim and tidy leaves now, and start a new bed with the potted rooted plants.

[Duke Ellington]

That's good advice Flighty. I cut mine back after fruiting and the plants produced loads fresh leaves which were killed off by our harsh winter. On Friday I tidied mine, cut off all the dead leaves. They look awful I hope they perk up :-[

[Flighty]

Duke they're pretty tough plants and generally survive! 

[Two Choices]

Is it too late to move plants to another part of the lottie as I belive that you shouldn't keep them in the same place for too long  ???

[goodlife]

TwoChoices..recommendation for 3 year cycle with growing strawberries doesn't actually mean that you just dig the plants up and move them to another ground..
After 3 years it is said that ground start to be 'used up' from nutrients and building up pest etc. This advise is generally true, but it really apply to fields and large beds and commercial crops where strawberry plants are left to do their thing and yet expected to yield maximum quantity and quality.
But,,,in small scale, if you do mulch, weed, feed and provice some TLC to soil and plants they don't need regular move as often and will crop perfectly well enough for longer.
Now when your plants start to show lack of fruit or quality, that is sign to start again..and usually with new plants, either bought or grown from runners..some do dig the old plants up and divide them to 'new' small sections..but if there is any health issues..eg. viruses they just will be transferred to new plot.
It is always 'safer' to start again with young 'new' plants ;)
Oh..if you have your plants..its not too late to do it..

[Two Choices]

Thanks Goodlife, I have the plants and some runners from last year. Next weekend of sunshine I will lift, check and transplant the healthy ones with the runners.  Does the ground need any special treatment prior to planting?   :)

[goodlife]

If you could mix some compost..home made or bought into soil..that would be good. And when you plant, mix some bone meal into planting holes..bone meal will encourage root growth.. That's about all you can do for now.
Once new growth really takes off you could give light sprinkling of  blood, fish and bone meal..good to do yearly basis ;)

[antipodes]

I just put on gloves and ruffle each strawberry plant, brushing away the dead leaves and stems. I did it last weekend, there are new growth stems coming up. Once they start to flower I give mine some strawberry fertiliser and again once the fruiting stage is well advanced (I only grow the type that fruit all season). And that's all  :) STrawberries are really easy to grow.
I renew my plants every three years and I have kept them in the same place as they are not diseased, but when replanting I will fill the bed with manure and compost and that seems to keep them going until the next renewal.

[lincsyokel2]

Potash. Lots and Lots of Potash.