How to over-winter ever-bearing strawberry

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hikerpat Knoxville, TN Jul 10, 2011

This is my first time, ever, for trying strawberries - they are Quinalt, an ever-bearing berry. They are in a Topsy Turvy, meant for hot peppers. The berries are doing quite well, although I don't see that this container will last even 2 seasons. My question: How will I over-winter it? I don't have a garage (I ran into someone at a plant sale yesterday, who says she puts dirt over hers, then straw, in her garage and it does fine). If I can get it to last the winter, next year maybe I can sacrifice some of the tomato growing area for the berries (I'd also have to forget about growing spinach, which is before tomato planting season). Does anyone have any suggestions? By the way - it's not coming in the house. Not only do I have no where to hang it, but I think the holes in the leaves are caused by the same tiny, tan critters that are eating the bean leaves - beans & berries are untouched. Knoxville TN; zone 6b.

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ErzsebetF Swansea, SC(Zone 8b) Jul 14, 2011

Hi. I also have quinalt strawberries. Mine are in a small triangular plot in my garden though, but very healthy and thriving. They are two years old, and have mostly grown more plants by runners. I overwinter my plants; Zone 8 in SC by giving them a good thick cover of untreated hay. That is all they need. I would certainly clean out the bed of weeds and such, any dead or browned strawberry leaves, and cover with at least 2-3-4 inches of hay. If if gets really cold, or it freezes, I will cover the whole thing with a sheet of plastic until warmer weather.
The hay will keep it nicely. I don't cover the plants with dirt! I think there is no need for that, and if (the dirt) it gets wet and stays wet, it may just rot the crowns.
The strawberries will really do much better, and produce bigger berries by the year, as I have experienced, if they are allowed to sprawl and given compost side dressing. You might want to consider giving them their own bed to grow if you have the space for them.
Good Luck and get some hay!

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