strawberry plants (how do i look after them?)

[jpmum]

Hi all,
I got some strawberry plants from someone and i havent the faintest idea on how to look after them. If anyone can tell me things like, where to keep them,what to keep them in,what to feed them ect... would be great.
thanks a mill.

[Belarus]

Good Morning JPMUM. You just plant your strawberries in the garden and leave them for now. They produce runners (like a long red thread) and just stretch these out on the earth. As they travel along they produce new plants and just embed themselves in the soil and give you lots of new plants for the coming year. Start feeding them in the springtime with "Tomato plant food" and they will continue growing and produce lots of fruit. Only thing is slugs and snails love them and also the birds. I put straw around the base of mine and the little crawlies dont like that so they stay away. Also I put netting over them once they flower and so the crows etc., cant attack them. They really dont need any great care just keep the weeds pulled. Hope you have lots of lovely fresh fruit next year. Hope this helps. Oh if you dont have garden space you can put them in tubs also. Happy gardening.

[jpmum]

Hi there,
thanks for your advice, im really looking forward to all my lovely strawberries next year. there my little girls favourite fruit so she will love it!
thanks a mill
jpmum x

[TheBear]

My strawberry plants are currently looking a bit wan. They've put out runners and all that, but I'm not sure if I should keep watering them through the winter.

[Belarus]

Hello The Bear. I dont do anything with mine during the winter. I have even left the weeds around them for the last few winters and then I weed them thoroughly in late spring when the frost has gone. I think the weeds protect them during the winter. They have really increased and multiplied over the last couple of years but the seasons have changed so much I am not sure any more. At the moment they have flowers on them again which really should be happening in the months of April or May. I notice also that the runners are really flying along the ground and everyday there are new plants appearing from these.

[TheBear]

Thanks for that.

[aerosol]

Anyone know if its ok to transplant strawb plants this month? Ta :)

[Belarus]

Hello Aerosol. No problem. Try to do it soon before the frost sets in. They will grow anywhere and spread like no mans business. Regards.

[aerosol]

Many thanks Belarus,I'll have a go