The berries should be picked every other day. Harvest when pink if not using immediately. Harvest when red if use is immediate. The cap should always stay on. Clear or black plastic mulches are used in the summer for moisture conservation, reduction of weeds and pests, and to provide warm soil temperatures.
Plastic mulch keeps fruit cleaner.
Winter protection if necessary is done with a layer of straw. Obtain straw that is weed seed free. Apply after the ground freezes. List and explain some insect and disease problems for strawberries. Hughes, Harrison et al.