Do strawberry plants survive multiple growing seasons?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.With the right care and attention, strawberry plants can be productive for 3-4 years! For the past four years, I've managed to keep *Seascape* varieties going over four different seasons by renovating the beds at least annually. Most gardening sources recommend replacing the plants sooner than four years, because of diseases, or simply out-of-angularity. Regardless, it all comes down to soil health and strategic pruning.
Year 1 Care
- Remove flowers: Focus energy on roots
- Thin runners: Keep 3-4 per plant
- Mulch: Apply 2" straw after first frost
Year 3 Replacement
- Signs: Woody crowns, small berries
- Timing: Post-harvest in late summer
- Method: Rotate beds to prevent disease
Soil pH has a significant effect on how long plants survive in the garden bed. My Oregon bed once had a 6.2 pH after adding sulfur yearly. On untreated clay soil, plants struggled to survive two seasons. You should test your soils every spring; kits aren't much more expensive than the time you would spend replacing an entire bed. I would also recommend adding compost to increase microbial activity in the soil.
Spring Tasks
- Remove winter mulch: After last frost
- Fertilize: 10-10-10 at 1 lb/100 sq ft
- Check pH: Adjust with lime/sulfur
Fall Prep
- Trim leaves: Cut to 1" above crowns
- Apply compost: 1" layer around plants
- Pest control: Neem oil spray
Pruning mistakes can shorten a plant's life. Always sterilize your pruners with 70% alcohol in between cuts - I used a small spray bottle for efficiency purposes. Whenever you find diseased foliage you must also immediately cut that off. My neighbor's patch failed last year because she contaminated her pruners and spread leaf spots. Sharp blades will prevent damage to the crown of the plant.
Read the full article: How to Grow Strawberries: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
