Winter can be a difficult time for strawberries in Kansas.¬  That they even survive is a testament to their durability, as strawberries are very shallow rooted, and winter is the driest season of all in Kansas.¬ 

Plants need time to become adjusted to cold weather and will gradually become more cold resistant as the fall progresses.¬  Strawberry plants, and trees for that matter, are able to withstand colder temperatures in the middle of the winter than in the fall before they have gone through cold weather.¬  A slow and gradual drop in temperatures will acclimate a plant so it becomes well hardened for winter.¬ 

For example, if temperatures suddenly¬  plummet to lower than 20 degrees before the plants harden to the cold, they can be severely damaged and a drop to 15 degrees may kill them.¬ ¬  Hardened plants can withstand such temperatures with ease.¬  This lack of hardening off may be a concern this year due to the unseasonably warm fall.¬ ¬ 

If a sudden drop in temperature to below 20 degrees is forecast, it may be wise to mulch the plants as you would for the winter.¬  After the cold snap is over, uncover the plants so that they may continue to harden off.¬  Normally, we mulch strawberries for winter around Thanksgiving time.¬  However, with the warm fall, it may be wise to mulch a couple of weeks later.

Mulching the plants helps protect strawberries not only from low temperatures but also from the alternate freezing and thawing of soil commonly referred to as soil 'heaving'.¬  Heaving damage occurs when Kansas winters lift plants out of their original position in the soil.¬  Sometimes they are lifted so high they are literally heaved out of the ground.¬  If this happens, the plants die from exposure.¬ 

Wheat straw makes a good mulch and is widely available.¬  The straw should be spread over the plants to a depth of three inches.¬  Be sure to shake the slabs of straw apart so that there are no large compressed chunks (called flakes).¬  I find rubbing two flakes of straw together is the easiest way to scatter their stems and chaff.¬ ¬  This fluffs the straw making it lighter, more permeable to rain, and a better insulator as it holds more dead air space.¬ ¬ 

Straw mulch not only helps protect strawberry plants over the winter but can also help avoid damage from late spring frosts by delaying blooming a few days in the spring.¬  Mulch should be removed gradually in the spring as the plants begin new growth.¬  Remove enough so that the leaves can be seen.¬  Leaving some mulch in place keeps the berries off the ground and conserves moisture.¬  Removed mulch can be placed in the aisles to cover the soil.¬ 

June-bearing strawberries are the most productive type for Kansas, with one abundant crop each season, usually from mid-May to mid- June.¬  Everbearing varieties produce a crop during June-bearing season, then a second, less impressive crop in fall.¬  Day-neutral strawberries will produce fruits whenever temperatures are acceptable, regardless of the season (or day length).¬ 

Spring-bearing strawberry plantings can usually be maintained at a highly productive level for 3 or 4 seasons.¬  Plants should be renovated after harvest and thinned to a healthy plant every 4 to 6 inches.¬  A balanced fertilizer should be applied at the rate of one pound of 10- 10-10 or 12-12-12 per 25 feet of row.¬  A second fertilization in early to mid-August will help the plants develop fruit buds for the following season.¬ 

Watering is critical for maintaining the vigor of these short-rooted plants.¬  Extra water is needed as fruits develop, and in the hot weather of July and August.¬  It is also important that the plants enter winter with adequate soil moisture.¬  A good drink now is advisable.

¬