I'm starting to plan the overwintering of my strawberry patch and I need some help.
Can I renovate my patch in the fall prior to mulching or should I leave as much foliage on the plant for overwintering?
Also, I've read a little about mowing the crop, but it seems it's usually referring to after harvest renovation. Is this common practice? Does anyone mow their crop in the fall?
I did not renovate the patch earlier in the season and had absolutely zero flowers and berries. I think this was because I let the runners go wild this year and last. This was my second year growing strawberries. Last year I received a few plants from a friend (no idea of what they are, probably june-bearing). When I planted them I got a few small berries. It's likely they were already growing when I planted them.
The green horn that I am thought, heck, if I just let them grow I'll have a giant patch next year with tons of berries. Well, it was about the same time I joined this great site that I realized my grand plan had some flaws.
Because of the growth this year, it seems to me that about 75% of the patch are young plants no more than a year old. Leaving the 5 original plants of unknown age that I transplanted last year.
I'm sorry for the long back story, I just wanted to give as much info as possible to help with answering my question.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Rick