Considerable hoeing and cultivating will be needed to maintain a vigorous weed-free planting. This handwork is well repaid in the following year by larger quantities of large berries. The number of runner plants is limited in order to provide each plant with adequate space to grow and develop multiple crowns. These multiple-crowned plants will provide maximum yields of large, excellent quality berries. If too many plants are allowed to grow, they act like weeds and reduce yields and reduce berry size.
Strawberries benefit from irrigation.
To obtain maximum growth and yield, they should never suffer for lack of water. Watering in dry periods during August and September will help in fruit bud formation for the following year. Elimination of stress during this period is very important. Frost Control Early spring frosts pose a hazard in strawberry production. Covering plants with straw is only partially effective.