I need help about my strawberry plants?

Question

I have 6 very beautiful strawberry plants that i planted last winter and they have given great fruit this summer and continue to bear strawberries even now during fall. I live in Northern California. What should i do to take care of these plants, If i want more strawberries next summer, should i plant new strawberry plants or will the existing ones yield fruits in a similar fashion. Also I am growing these in big window containers, How can i care for these plants so to prepare them for a good harvest next yr. Other than the regular plant food that i give should i cut off all the tendrils- Pls help - i am an amateur gardner and this is my first time.

Can you pls suggest a website for when to grow which vegetable and fruit for local Northern California

Answer 1

First of all please DON"T cover them in plastic during the winter months. IT WILL KILL THEM! Use plastic for a time of heavy frost and it has to be removed as soon as the frost has past. Which is daily.

Today, the California Strawberry Advisory Board reports that the state produces 75 percent of the nation’s strawberry crops. Home gardeners should be able to grow a berry or two.
http://www.todayslocalnews.com/?sect=thought&p=3047
Open the link above and read the tips given.

A lot of what you need to know is what type of plant is it? Another thing is I don't suggest cutting off the tendrils until you know which plant type your have.
This is the best system for growing day-neutral strawberries. In this system all the runners are removed so only the original mother plant remains. The day neutral / June bearing or the ones that last 3 or 4 years. The everbearing can go on for years providing you continue to use the Tendrils.
Research on the internet learn to use available resources in your state.
Such as;
California Agriculture Extention.
SOME HELPFUL LINKS BELOW
Planting And Growing Strawberries
In Containers
http://www.containerveggiegarden.com/strawberries.html
Gardening
POTS / CONTAINERS
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_containers_pots/0,1784,HGTV_3562,00.html
Garden forum/novice
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/contain/msg041307049230.html?35
Grow Strawberries in Containers
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/growstrawberries
Most of the information in these links will apply to growing strawberries anywhere. In the home garden or in the potted home garden.
Good Luck at learning to garden in containers.

Answer 2

Standard plant food will do the job, lightly watered in. these should be good for 3 to 4 years.
The tendrils can be used as more plants should you so wish - cut them off close to the mother plant - only plant the best looking ones.

Answer 3

Leave them where they are. The tendrils are strawberry's way of multiplying. If you want more plants, allow the tendrils (runners) to surface root.

MiracleGro fertilizer will give good results.

Don't cover with plastic, mulch with leaves, pine straw, or straw. If your weather is severe, you might want to bring them inside. Otherwise sounds like you are doing everything perfectly.

Answer 4

my plants produced year after year.. i just covered them in the winter with plastic before the first freeze to protect them.

Answer 5

n00b