How to tidy strawberries in spring

How to tidy strawberries in spring

Find out how to tidy strawberries in spring, ready to provide tasty fruits later in the year.

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
To do
To do

Do not To do in January

Do not To do in February

Do To do in March

Do To do in April

Do not To do in May

Do not To do in June

Do not To do in July

Do not To do in August

Do not To do in September

Do not To do in October

Do not To do in November

Do not To do in December

It’s a good idea to tidy congested strawberry beds before the growing season begins. This prevents the build up of fungal infections such as botrytis, and also removes shelter for pests such as slugs and snails.

The important bits of the plants are the small shoots in the crown’s centre, which produce flowers then fruit.

Follow our guide to tidying strawberries in spring, below.

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You Will Need

  • Secateurs
  • Hand fork or trowel
  • Fertiliser

Total time:

Step 1

Using secateurs, cut out any dead leaves and also the larger leaves that are already clothing the ground around the main crown of the strawberry plants.

Removing dead foliage from strawberry plants
Removing dead foliage from strawberry plants

Step 2

Weeds, especially perennials, are a real problem in strawberry beds, so use a hand fork or trowel to lift out any now before they get a chance to swamp plants.

Weeding around strawberry plants
Weeding around strawberry plants

Step 3

Use a small fork to aerate the exposed soil around the plants, then top-dress with a general garden fertiliser to boost growth and flowering.

Adding fertiliser to boost plant growth
Adding fertiliser to boost plant growth
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Replacing strawberry plants

After three to four years, fruit size and quality declines so you will need to replace your plants with new stock. Instead of buying new plants, try doing this by growing new strawberry plants from runners.

Blue watering can