Should I remove strawberry flowers initially?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Whether to remove strawberry flowers is dependent on your plant age and variety type. I mistakenly let *June-bearing* plants flower their first year- the berries were small, and the plant had a tough winter. When considering long-term success, proper pruning also can be instrumental.
June-Bearing Plants
- First year: Remove all flowers
- Goal: Develop strong root systems
- Result: 30-50% higher Year 2 yields
Day-Neutral/Everbearing
- First 6 weeks: Remove flowers
- Then: Allow blooms
- Benefit: Continuous harvests
Pruning discipline yields long-term success. Last year, my *Albion* day-neutral plants produced 2 lbs/plant in Year 2 after being strict about removing early flowers. The plants that weren't pruned produced 1/2 lb/plant. When pruning, I sterilize pruning tools w/ rubbing alcohol. While pruning the strawberries, I use a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol to sterilize the tool between plants to avoid the transfer of disease from one plant to another.
Over-Pruning
- Sign: Stunted growth
- Fix: Leave 2-3 leaves
- Prevention: Track cuts weekly
Late Start
- Sign: Early fruiting
- Fix: Remove all flowers
- Prevention: Mark calendar
Microclimates can determine pruning schedules. In my garden on the coast, the ability to keep flowers longer and with less cold damage happens earlier than at my plots in the mountains. Use soil thermometers - I would start free pruning when the soil was 50°F. Container plants usually need less pruning because they are in controlled conditions - they are a great choice for impatient plant parents!
Read the full article: How to Grow Strawberries: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
