Climbing strawberries are a total game-changer for balcony and patio gardening. There’s nothing quite like picking those delicious berries right outside your door for weeks on end! But as the temperatures start to drop, you might be wondering: how do I keep these beauties alive until next spring? Don’t worry—getting your climbing strawberries through the winter is easier than you think. Here is everything you need to know.
Preparing Your Climbing Strawberries for Winter
As soon as those first chilly days arrive, it’s time to get your climbing strawberries ready for their winter nap. Start by pruning the plant back significantly. You’ll want to trim away those long runners and vines, cutting the plant down until only the “crown” (the central growing point) remains. Be extra careful here—the crown must stay intact, as that’s where next year’s growth comes from!
Since most climbing strawberries live in pots, you need to protect the roots from the freezing ground. I recommend placing your planters on an insulated base, like a thick piece of wood or a slab of Styrofoam. This keeps the frost from creeping up through the bottom of the pot.
For the best results, tuck your containers right up against a house wall. This provides a natural windbreak and shields them from heavy snow; plus, the wall actually radiates a little bit of warmth. To finish things off, tuck a cozy layer of straw or dried leaves over the soil. Of course, if you have a frost-free spot like a garage or a cool cellar, you can always move the entire pot indoors for the season!
