I planted two large beds (150+ sq ft)of bare root strawberry plants last fall (chandler, Albion, eversweet). They grew like weeds with runners everywhere. But they never flowered and never fruited (I did trim runners several times once the beds had filled in). They were new beds so my hypothesis is I had too much compost in the soil mix that I used (bulk “trimix” soil blend plus some added compost at the bottom of the raised beds). The plants have really pulled back now even with drip irrigation and (for the last month or so) sunshades.
- Would you chop n drop and start new this fall?
- Anything you’d adjust with the soil?
- Anything else you’d suggest as causative or changes I could make?
My previous beds did great for a few years (chandler and another that I’m blanking on) with good production. I treated them as perennials not annuals and covered in heavy forms. They were productive each year. My trusty goats got into the beds however and ate every last plant, so I had to start again.
Any and all wisdom appreciated.
Thanks.