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Strawberries are one of the first crops to make their appearance in spring. Because they are such early birds, frost damage on strawberries is a very real threat. Strawberry plants and frost are fine when the plant is dormant during the winter, but a sudden spring frost when the plants are blooming can wreak havoc on the berry patch. Protecting strawberry plants from frost is of paramount importance, but HOW do you protect strawberry plants?
Can Strawberry Plants Survive Frost? Protecting Your Berry Crop From Cold Damage
As a strawberry grower, you know that a late frost can wreak havoc on your crop. But can strawberry plants actually survive frost without damage? The short answer is – it depends. Strawberry plants are quite hardy when dormant, but a spring frost at the wrong time can devastate the blossoms and developing fruit. By understanding the stages of growth, cold tolerance levels, and methods of protection, you can help your strawberries survive frosty nights.
Strawberry Growth Stages and Cold Tolerance
New strawberry plants are quite resilient to cold when dormant over winter. But as spring growth begins, different plant parts have varying tolerances for frost and freezing temperatures. Here’s a quick overview:
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Tight flower buds Can withstand temperatures as low as 20°F.
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Open flowers: Damaged at 30°F and below. Most vulnerable to frost.
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Developing fruit: Tolerates 26°F for short periods when young.
As you can see, those open blooms are the most sensitive. Even a light frost can damage the delicate petals, pollen, and reproductive parts. A hard freeze will knock them out completely. That’s why spring frost protection is so important if blossoms are present.
The good news is that strawberry plants can bounce back after some frost damage. Secondary flowers may emerge and bear fruit, although overall yields will be reduced. But a prolonged freeze or cold snap can be truly devastating, especially if the plant crowns are also damaged.
Methods to Protect Strawberries from Frost
If frost is in the forecast, here are some techniques to save your strawberries:
Row Covers
Floating fabric or plastic row covers can provide several degrees of protection, creating a greenhouse effect over your plants. Apply them in the evening before a frost to trap warm air. Use heavier, insulating materials for maximum cold protection. Just be sure not to let the fabric touch sensitive blossoms.
Overhead Irrigation
Running sprinklers or irrigation over the plants can also prevent frost damage. As water freezes it releases latent heat, keeping plants closer to 32°F. The key is continuous water application until temperatures rise above freezing. Insufficient water volume can actually worsen cold injury.
Site Selection
Choose protected sites out of the wind and low spots where cold air pools. Raised beds warm faster in spring. southern exposures are ideal.
Mulching
A thick organic mulch insulates the soil and plant crowns. Apply after ground freezes for overwintering plants. Remove mulch after final spring frost to allow soil warming.
Variety Selection
Some strawberry varieties bloom and fruit later, avoiding early spring frosts. Day-neutrals initiate flowers over a long season. June-bearers are most vulnerable when blooming simultaneously in spring.
Emergency Measures
As a last resort, drape fabric or sheets directly over plants, or spray them with water before sunrise to melt frost immediately. This buys time until temperatures rise.
Be Prepared!
Having frost protection supplies ready to go is half the battle. When cold nights are forecast during bloom, be ready to take emergency action to save your crop. Know frost thresholds and regularly monitor conditions. With proper preparation, your strawberries can survive many light frosts. But extreme cold requires extra vigilance to avoid disastrous damage. Stay alert to weather trends and don’t hesitate to take protective measures.
Strawberry Plants and Frost
Frost can decimate an entire berry crop, especially if the berries have been exposed to warming temperatures. A freeze following warm spring weather can be devastating. And strawberries are particularly susceptible to frost damage since they are often in bloom before the last frost free date. Strawberry blossoms are most sensitive to frost right before and during opening. At this juncture, temperatures below 28 F. (-2 C.) will damage the blossoms, so some frost protection of strawberries is integral to the harvest. Frost protection of strawberries is less important when the flowers are still in tight clusters and just barely peaking from the crown; at this point they will tolerate temps as low as 22 F. (-6 C.). Once fruit begins to develop, temperatures below 26 F. (-3 C.) may be tolerated for very short periods, but the longer the freeze, the higher risk of injury. So, again, it’s important to be prepared to protect the plants from frost.
How Do You Protect Strawberry Plants from Frost?
Commercial farmers do a couple of things to protect the berries from frost and so can you. To protect them from winter temps, mulch over the strawberries in the fall to early winter with straw or pine needles. In the spring, move the mulch between the plants after the last frost. This will help retain soil moisture, retard weeds, and prevent dirty irrigation water from splashing on the fruit. Overhead irrigation is another popular method for protecting strawberries plants from frost. It sounds crazy, but it works. Basically, the farmers are encasing their entire field in ice. The temperature of the ice remains at 32 F. (0 C.) because as the water becomes ice it releases heat. Since strawberries aren’t injured until the temperature falls below 28 F. (-2 C.), the berries are saved from frost injury. The water must be constantly applied to the plants, though. Too little water can cause more damage than if no water is applied at all. Another interesting fact on protecting strawberries from frost is that soil retains heat during the day and is then released at night. Wet, thus dark soil, retains heat better than dry, light colored soil. So a wet bed serves yet another purpose. Also, row covers can provide some protection. The temperature under a cover may equal that of the air, but this takes a while and may just buy the berries enough time. Water can also be applied directly over the row cover to protect the flowers inside with a layer of ice. Where your berries are located can also provide them with some protection. Our strawberry patch is on the south side of a garage with a significant overhanging eave, which serves to protect the berries.
Winterizing Your Strawberry Plants – The Definitive Guide
FAQ
How cold is too cold for strawberry plants?
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Blossoms and young fruit are particularly vulnerable:Strawberry blossoms are most sensitive to frost damage right before and during opening, and temperatures below 28°F (-2°C) can damage them.
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Acclimation matters:Strawberry plants can develop some cold tolerance during the late summer and fall through a process called acclimation, where they become dormant and develop compounds that protect them from cold.
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Winter protection:In climates with regular freezing temperatures, mulching strawberry plants with straw or other organic material can help insulate the crowns and roots from extreme cold and prevent heaving.
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Protecting during flowering and fruiting:During flowering and fruiting be prepared to freeze protect using row covers and in very cold conditions, sprinklers.
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Overhead irrigation:Using overhead irrigation during cold temperatures can protect strawberries from frost and freeze damage, as long as temperatures do not fall below 20° F.
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Timing is key:Strawberry plants should be mulched between Thanksgiving and Christmas to protect them from low temperatures and heaving damage.
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Potted plants:Potted plants are not as insulated as ground plants and are more susceptible to winter injury, so bring them to a protected area where freezing temperatures are not an issue.
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Consider your location:If you live in a climate where temperatures regularly drop below freezing, you’ll need to take extra steps to protect your strawberry plants during the winter.
When should you cover strawberry plants?
Row covers can be placed over the plants in the early fall or the early spring.Apr 7, 2021
How to cover strawberries from frost?
It is recommended that for protection against frost above freezing, use sprinklers or row covers alone, for freezing temperatures in the mid to high 20s use …Mar 4, 2010
What is the critical temperature for strawberries?
Critical temperatures for strawberry blossoms
Young green fruit is actually better able to tolerate cold temperatures than open blossoms, having a critical temperature of 28°F. Some recommend actually inserting a thermocouple into the flower buds to accurately measure their temperatures.
Can strawberries survive frost?
Temperatures below 32°F will damage the fruit and flowers of strawberry plants, but the crowns and leaves will survive to temperatures in the low 20s if they have been acclimated to cool weather. Do I need to protect strawberries from frost?
Do strawberries get frost damage?
Strawberries are one of the first crops to make their appearance in spring. Because they are such early birds, frost damage on strawberries is a very real threat. Strawberry plants and frost are fine when the plant is dormant during the winter, but a sudden spring frost when the plants are blooming can wreak havoc on the berry patch.
How cold can strawberry plants survive?
Ten degrees Fahrenheit and below, the survival chances of strawberry plants are slim. Strawberries are at their best in temperatures of 60 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit (15 – 26 degrees Celsius) but can tolerate cold as low as 22 degrees Fahrenheit (-5 degrees Celsius), provided they are protected from frost.
Can strawberries grow in cold weather?
Protecting Your Berries from Freezing Temperatures As a cool weather loving crop, strawberries thrive in chillier temperatures However, frigid spring frosts can spell disaster for emerging strawberry blossoms and developing fruit Knowing the temperature thresholds and methods for protecting your plants is key to mitigating frost damage.
What happens if you freeze a strawberry plant?
In the spring after removing straw, frost and freezing temperatures can injure strawberry buds and blossoms and reduce yield. Frosts and freezes are not the same, but both can injure strawberry plants. Freezes are when the temperature drops below 32°F.
Do strawberry plants need to be protected from frost?
It is crucial for home gardeners to protect their strawberry plants from frost and freezing temperatures, particularly during the bloom period to safeguard the yield. Even brief exposure to temperatures below 26°F (-3°C) can be detrimental once fruit begins to form.