skip to main content

Fruit & Orchards New England Gardening

Strawberries in pots over winter, Zone 6

last year

I purchased some strawberries in pots which lived on the lip of a deckthis summer, and now wonder how to overwinter them. In a shed? outdoors under mulch? New to them...

Featured Answer

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

last year

Strawberries themselves are very hardy. The problem might be the soil freezing or the pots breaking, if they're ceramic. A garage, shed or leaf pile would work if it stops the soil freezing.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

lennon2
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
I could put them in the unfinished basement (old house). Do I wait until the first frost kills the leaves? Should they be covered? Should they get any water? When do I bring them out into the sunshine? (Thanks so much for answering!)
Related Discussions
wintering lily in pots over winter can it be done?
Q
Comments (5)
Sorry to hear about all your troubles, but glad it sounds like things are back on track. I would put them in the garage before any hard frosts begin. The lilies should be going into dormancy then and will wait out the winter. Find the warmest spot, group the pots together and maybe cover with an old blanket? They shouldn't need any water and having them a little on the dry side might actually help. Hopefully they can handle the lows in the garage. I thing the basement will be too warm and they'll start growing earlier than you want. I'd like to hear what other people suggest, I sometimes have trouble overwintering bulbs in pots. You might want to get a roll of landscape fabric to line your baskets. The fabric kind, not the plastic. It will last longer than the paper.
...See More
Winter and annual strawberry care for Zone 4?
Q
Comments (2)
There are a lot of systems. I follow one outlined by Norse nurseries, you can read it on thier website. Usually for JUne bearers,the new plants are spaced around 12", all blossoms cut the first year, and all runners allowed to root until mid summer. This fills in the rows. Late runners are removed if you have the time as they are unlikely to take and crop the next year. After the crop, the plants are cut back to the crowns and fertilized.This is called "rejuvenation" and seems very severe when you do it. AT the same time you thin the rows back and weed them out (because you can see everything with the leaves gone. If you don't thin them out they will get so thick as to stunt each other. I aim for a mix of ages to be left behind but want a plant every 4-6" when done.
...See More
Zone-pushing--no winter protection in Zone 6?
Q
Comments (8)
A few years I've left some canna tubers in the ground over the winter in zone 6 (typically varieties I wasn't very interested in saving). I think I got a good number to resprout and grow just one time (the bed was in an open location). It doesn't surprise me that people have success in a southern exposure up against the house or similar protected location in zone 6 (I've done well with Amorphophallus konjac and Nandina in such a spot). It'd also help to have exceptional drainage, and a covering of mulch would be a good idea too. I wouldn't depend on even this setting in the case of rare/expensive varieties though.
...See More
Texas sage brush leucophyllum frutescens in zone 6 over winter
Q
Comments (2)
That's odd Molie, I'm at work now with the strictess internet and I clicked on the link from Fine Gardening with any problems. But that's ok anyway, I found yesterday there's a slim chance it might make it inside over the winter. Thanks, Richie
...See More
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
last year
I would bury the pots in soil or mulch if they are not ceramic. I often bury pots in my veggie garden over winter and then pop them out in spring. if you don’t have any unused space like that get a couple of bags of shredded bark mulch and surround the pots to the rim and sprinkle lightly across the surface. Strawberries are plants that would prefer to overwinter outdoors.
lennon2 thanked NHBabs z4b-5a NH
lennon2
Original Author
last year
How do you know when to dig them up again?
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
last year
last modified: last year
In my area it is typically midMay, but in general when it won’t be below freezing for more than a few hours since you don’t want freeze thaw cycles. The mass of surrounding mulch or soil will help keep the temperature in the pot even since the mass of the surrounding soil or mulch heats and cools slowly, unlike air which can change temperatures in more rapid and greater swings.
lennon2
Original Author
last year
Thank you both for this information. Thanks to you, I think I can keep them alive for another year.

Related Stories

KITCHEN LAYOUTS Move Over, 3-Zone Kitchen. Meet the 5-Zone Kitchen

By Georgia Madden

With open-plan kitchens so popular, has the classic kitchen triangle had its day?

ROSES How to Care for Your Roses Over Winter

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Get advice on protecting against cold in cold-winter regions and pruning and planting in mild-winter regions

GARDENING GUIDES Garden Myths to Debunk as You Dig This Fall and Rest Over Winter

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Termites hate wood mulch, don’t amend soil for trees, avoid gravel in planters — and more nuggets of garden wisdom

LIFE 6 Ways to Beat the Winter Blahs

By Alison Hodgson

Snow and dark days dampening your spirits? These ideas will have you looking on the bright side

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Rockin’ Red Plants for Winter Gardens

By Paintbox Garden

Use the bright berries or branches of these cold-climate favorites for outdoor garden interest or container arrangements anywhere

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Feed the Birds: 6 Plants for Abundant Winter Berries

By Therese Ciesinski

Be kind to your fair feathered friends during lean food times by planting a shrub or tree loaded with nutritious snacks

SUMMER GARDENING How to Water and Refresh Your Potted Plants Over the Summer

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Keep container gardens looking lush by cooling them down when temperatures rise and by giving them a seasonal spruce-up

WINTER GARDENING 6 Flowers for Gorgeous Winter Garden Color

Blooming beauties can be yours from January through March — just take your pick from these bulbs, shrubs and even a tree

WINTER GARDENING Winter Gardening: Ideas for a Dream Potting Room

By Becky Harris

Check out potting rooms that get indoor gardening right — and learn tips for creating your own

HOLIDAYS 6 Ways to Refresh Your Outdoor Living Spaces for Winter

By Marianne Lipanovich

Learn how to brighten porches, patios and decks during the colder months of the year

0

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

Peach variety recommendations, please

2

best cantaloupe for this area?

0

Advice on planting blueberry plant

9

Peach trees need help!

1

Peach tree dead buds

2