How or when to remove straw from strawberry plants?

For the fall and winter should straw be removed from under strawberry plants? I live in central Louisiana. The straw was put under plants to keep strawberries off the ground.


  9 answers
  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 25, 2020

    The typical time for removing straw in Michigan is mid- to late March for the lower half of the Lower Peninsula, mid- to late March for the northern half of the Lower Peninsula, and most likely early April in the Upper Peninsula. Strawberries growing close to Lake Michigan may also be uncovered a bit later than inland sites. However, the proper timing of straw removal varies greatly from year-to-year.

    The earlier you remove the straw mulch, the earlier fruit will mature.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jul 25, 2020

    Hi! My daughter who is the gardener in the family, leaves a thin layer as mulch to keep down weeds and retain moisture. Good luck and stay safe!

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Jul 25, 2020

    I would love to find out too .. will follow your question


  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Jul 25, 2020

    I don't believe commercial strawberry growers use any straw. At least they didn't when I was a kid and picked berries in the summer.

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Jul 25, 2020

    After the fruit has all been picket then you could remove or just leave it

  • The orchard here just leaves the straw. It probably helps keep moisture in and also acts as a added layer to smother out weeds.

  • Pam Johnson Pam Johnson on Jul 30, 2020

    You can leave it and let it decompose to add nutrients to the soil. A light watering of organic fertilizer will speed up the process.

  • Annie Annie on Jul 30, 2020

    Just leave a light layer under your plant leaves all year round. It will really help with holding the moisture, and also keeping weeds from growing

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Aug 01, 2020

    Hello Charles,

    When the strawberry plants disappear back into the ground or die off.