When we talk about “pinching off” or pruning side shoots, most gardeners immediately think of tomatoes or grapevines. It’s a classic trick to stop the plant from wasting energy on extra foliage so it can focus on growing big, juicy fruit. But did you know this technique works wonders for strawberries, too?
Pruning Strawberries for a Better Harvest
Many strawberry varieties are “everbearing,” meaning they can produce fruit twice in a single season. To give them a helping hand, I always recommend a bit of pruning. By removing certain shoots, you direct all the plant’s energy back to its center instead of letting it sprawl out in every direction. The result? Bigger berries and a much better yield.
Here’s the trick: remove the very first flower clusters that appear right after planting. Then, for the subsequent clusters, try to keep only the two largest fruits and pinch off the rest. This actually triggers the plant to produce a second bloom much faster. You’ll get a second round of aromatic, high-quality berries that are just as good as the first harvest. Plus, keeping the plant tidy like this is a great way to prevent pests and diseases from moving in.
Pruning Balcony and Climbing Strawberries
If you’re short on space, strawberries grow beautifully on a balcony or in containers. There are even hanging and climbing varieties that look amazing. Pruning works here, too! It helps the plant develop stronger runners, which eventually leads to a massive amount of fruit.
For these types, I suggest pinching off all the early blossoms (usually until about the end of May). After that, let the new flower clusters grow freely. This encourages climbing strawberries to develop sturdy vines that can support the weight of all those berries. Just don’t forget to give them a trellis or some support to climb on!
While you’re at it, keep an eye out for any wilted leaves or spent flowers. Consistently removing these—a process called “deadheading” or cleaning—doesn’t just make your pots look pretty; it’s vital for the plant’s health. It keeps your strawberries vigorous and helps ward off infections and bugs.
One last pro-tip: even though pruning keeps the plants from getting too wild, you should still mulch the soil. Whether you use straw or bark mulch, it keeps the berries from sitting on damp dirt, which is the number one cause of mold. Happy gardening!
