If berries are allowed to develop, they deplete the food reserves of the plant and delay runner production. Perhaps the most important practice in a new strawberry planting is cultivation. If necessary, herbicides can be an effective tool in controlling weeds in strawberries. See MU publication G6951, Understanding and Using Garden and Home Grounds Herbicides . Train strawberry runners to root in the row.
Strawberries can survive all but the most severe drought periods.
However, irrigate to get the highest yields of large berries. A simple rain gauge will determine weekly rainfall. Irrigate to make up for rainfall deficiencies. Winter mulch is used to prevent alternate freezing and thawing of the soil and subsequent heaving of the plants out of the soil. Other benefits of mulching include help in controlling weeds and grass, protection from severe cold temperatures and help in keeping berries clean during harvest.