My strawberries did OK this year. They were growing among grass as I didn't weed around them, I also didn't net them and the birds left them alone, think they overdosed on the redcurrants. I didn't water them as thought the sunny weather would help the fruit ripen. Maybe I was just lucky, and the hot weather here helped. Had about 2 weeks picking and then that was it, but enough for jam. Some of the fruit bushes etc. on the neglected plots that people have given up do better than mine, so annoying. I am no expert, but maybe it was too much water, who knows.