How to Winterize Strawberries in November: Essential Tips for Protecting Your Plants

As the colder months approach, it’s important to winterize your strawberry plants to protect them from frost, fluctuating temperatures, and winter damage. Strawberries are hardy perennials, but they benefit from extra care in late fall to ensure they remain healthy and productive when spring returns. Winterizing strawberries in November helps safeguard their roots and crowns, preserving the plants for a fruitful harvest next season. In this guide, we’ll show you how to properly winterize your strawberry plants.

Why Is Winterizing Strawberries in November Important?

Strawberries are relatively resilient, but they can be vulnerable to cold weather, especially if the ground freezes and thaws repeatedly. Winterizing strawberries in November provides several key benefits:

Protects crowns from frost: Mulching insulates the crowns (the central growing point) of strawberry plants, preventing them from freezing in harsh winter conditions.
Prevents soil heaving: Repeated freezing and thawing of the soil can push strawberry plants out of the ground, damaging their root systems. Mulching helps stabilize soil temperatures and prevents this from happening.
Encourages healthy growth: Winterizing helps ensure that strawberry plants survive the winter and are ready to grow vigorously in the spring, leading to higher yields.
Reduces weed competition: Mulching suppresses winter weeds, allowing strawberry plants to grow without competition for nutrients and space.

By properly winterizing your strawberries in November, you’ll protect them from winter stress and set them up for a successful growing season next year.

Top Tips for Winterizing Strawberries in November

1. Trim the Foliage

Start by trimming back the foliage of your strawberry plants after they’ve stopped producing fruit for the season. Removing the old leaves reduces the risk of disease and pests overwintering in the garden, and it makes it easier to mulch the plants.

Tip: Use clean, sharp garden shears to cut the foliage back to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the crowns. Be careful not to damage the crowns themselves, as this is where new growth will emerge in spring.

2. Clear Away Debris

After trimming the foliage, clear away any dead leaves, stems, and plant debris from the strawberry bed. Debris can harbor pests and diseases that could harm your plants over the winter.

Tip: Rake up the debris and compost healthy plant material. However, if you notice any signs of disease or pest infestations, discard the debris to prevent the spread of problems in your garden.

3. Apply a Thick Layer of Mulch

Mulching is the most important step in winterizing strawberries. A thick layer of mulch helps insulate the crowns and roots, protecting them from frost and temperature fluctuations. Straw is the most commonly used mulch for strawberries because it provides excellent insulation and is easy to apply and remove.

Best mulches for strawberries:
Straw: Lightweight and insulating, straw is the traditional mulch for strawberry plants.
Pine needles: Pine needles work well in colder climates, providing excellent insulation and suppressing weeds.
Shredded leaves: Easily available in the fall, shredded leaves can be used as mulch but may break down faster than straw.
Tip: Apply 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) of mulch over the entire strawberry bed, making sure the crowns are well-covered. However, avoid packing the mulch too tightly, as good airflow is important to prevent mold or rot.

4. Mulch Before the First Hard Frost

Timing is important when winterizing strawberries. Apply mulch after the first light frost, when the plants have begun to go dormant, but before the ground freezes solid. This helps insulate the plants before harsh winter conditions set in.

Tip: Watch the weather forecast and aim to mulch in mid to late November, depending on your local climate. The goal is to cover the plants before a hard frost (below 25°F/-4°C) occurs.

5. Protect Potted Strawberry Plants

If you’re growing strawberries in containers, they’re more vulnerable to freezing because the roots are above ground. To protect potted strawberries, move them to a sheltered location, such as a garage or unheated greenhouse, for the winter.

Tip: If moving the pots isn’t an option, insulate them by wrapping the containers in bubble wrap or placing them inside larger containers filled with straw or leaves to provide extra insulation.

6. Monitor for Pests

During winter, pests like voles or mice may be attracted to the mulched area as it provides a cozy shelter. Regularly check for signs of pest activity, such as tunnels or gnaw marks on the mulch.

Tip: If you notice signs of pests, consider using wire mesh or hardware cloth around the base of the plants to prevent access. You can also use organic pest deterrents like garlic sprays or peppermint oil to repel small animals.

7. Water if Necessary

Even though strawberry plants are dormant in winter, they still need some moisture. If you experience a dry spell before the ground freezes, water the plants lightly to keep the soil from drying out completely.

Tip: Avoid overwatering during winter, as soggy soil can cause the crowns to rot. Water sparingly if the weather is dry and the ground hasn’t frozen yet.

8. Remove Mulch in Spring

As temperatures warm in early spring, it’s important to gradually remove the mulch to allow the plants to grow. However, be cautious about removing it too early, as late frosts can still damage the plants.

Tip: In early spring, when the danger of hard frost has passed, start removing the mulch in stages. Pull it back from the crowns to let light and air reach the plants, but keep it nearby in case you need to cover the plants during late frosts.

9. Prune Runners (Optional)

If your strawberry plants have sent out runners (new plants connected by a thin stem), you can prune these to control the spread of your strawberry bed and focus the plant’s energy on producing fruit next year.

Tip: If you want to propagate new plants from the runners, wait until early spring to transplant the new plants to a different location. Otherwise, trim the runners back to tidy up the bed.

Most Common Questions and Answers About Winterizing Strawberries in November

Q1: Why should I winterize strawberry plants in November?
A: Winterizing in November helps protect strawberry plants from frost and freezing temperatures. Mulching insulates the crowns and roots, preventing damage during winter and ensuring the plants are ready to grow in spring.

Q2: What’s the best mulch to use for strawberries in winter?
A: Straw is the most common mulch for winterizing strawberries because it’s lightweight, insulates well, and is easy to remove in spring. Pine needles and shredded leaves are also effective alternatives.

Q3: How thick should the mulch layer be?
A: Apply a 3-4 inch layer of mulch over the entire strawberry bed. Make sure the crowns of the plants are well-covered to protect them from freezing temperatures.

Q4: When should I apply mulch to my strawberry plants?
A: Apply mulch after the first light frost, when the plants are starting to go dormant, but before the ground freezes solid. This usually falls in mid to late November, depending on your local climate.

Q5: Can I use leaves as mulch for strawberries?
A: Yes, shredded leaves can be used as mulch for strawberries. However, they may break down faster than straw, so you may need to apply a thicker layer or monitor it throughout the winter.

Q6: How do I protect potted strawberries in winter?
A: Move potted strawberries to a sheltered location like a garage or unheated greenhouse for the winter. If this isn’t possible, wrap the pots in insulating material like bubble wrap or place them in a larger container filled with straw for extra protection.

Q7: What should I do if I notice pests in the mulch?
A: If you notice pests like voles or mice in the mulch, you can use wire mesh or hardware cloth to block their access. Organic pest repellents like garlic spray or peppermint oil can also deter small animals.

Q8: Should I water my strawberry plants in winter?
A: If there’s a dry spell before the ground freezes, water lightly to keep the soil from drying out completely. Avoid overwatering, as too much moisture can cause the crowns to rot.

Q9: When should I remove the mulch in spring?
A: Gradually remove the mulch in early spring, once the danger of hard frost has passed. Start by pulling the mulch back from the crowns to allow sunlight and air to reach the plants.

Q10: Can I prune the runners in November?
A: You can prune runners in November to control the spread of your strawberry bed. If you want to propagate new plants from the runners, wait until early spring to transplant them.

By winterizing your strawberry plants in November, you’ll protect them from frost and cold weather, ensuring they survive the winter and thrive in the spring. Proper mulching, trimming, and care will help your strawberries stay healthy and productive, leading to a bountiful harvest next season.