How to Cut Back Strawberries this Summer for a Better Harvest Next Year
Strawberries, an early fruit producer, are winding down by the time summer reaches it's hottest temperatures. But instead of waiting until fall to clean up the strawberry bed, now is the time to cut back the plants and get them started towards a robust production season for next year. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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As the strawberry foliage begins to wither, it's time to remove the top portion of the leaves, allowing the plants to send their energy deep into vigorous root production.
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Adjust the deck on your mower to its highest setting and mow off the tops of the leaves. The height of the blades must be above the crown of the strawberry plant.
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Use the shovel to carefully thin the strawberry plants. Leave the mother plants in the original rows, but cut straight downwards with a sharp shovel blade to neatly sever the runner plants that grow to the sides.
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Re-plant the runner plants in rows approximately 8-inches apart. If you have the room, you may be able to double next years strawberry crop by re-planting the runners now.
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Raise the soil level around the crowns of the established strawberry plants and add fertilizer rich in nitrogen. The plants will store energy in their roots, preparing for the next growing season.
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Mulch the strawberry bed with quality compost or straw to prevent moisture fluctuations. Sprinkle the entire bed lightly once or twice a week to keep the soil from drying out until the first frost.
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Tips & Warnings
Remove weeds before mulching the strawberry plants.
Avoid applying fertilizer after fall starts.
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo, curtesy of stock.xchng
