strawberries in containers

[ktarsha]

I have about 20 everbearing strawberries in pots out in the yard. I'm pretty sure they won't survive the winter without some protection, but they definitely can't live indoors with us. What's the best way to keep them happy through the winter? And really, any other advice about container-grown strawberries would be appreciated, since this is the first year I've managed not to kill them all.

[cristeen]

How cold does it get where you are?

Do you have anywhere you can put them to protect them from snow/freezing? A basement, garage, etc.? That would be your best bet.

I don't have any problem with mine coming back year after year, but I don't have to worry about them freezing.

Not sure what to suggest beyond that, though.

[MidnightCommando]

I think they'd be fine as is. You could always put them up against the house on the south side and cover with straw or hay bales for some added protection. It freezes hard here and for a long time (I'm in 4a/5b zone) and my strawberries come back every year. They aren't in pots but I don't put any protection over them from the snow.

HTH!

[Owen'nZoe]

I have a few plants that I will need to overwinter in pots this year (mostly raspberry canes), too. I'm planning to bury the pots in my veggie garden and mulch with straw.

[tankgirl73]

I posted about this same thing recently, I think... I was reassured that they'd be fine. I'm planning to google a bit more before the fall comes but I'm not planning to do anything drastic with mine.

[ktarsha]

I'm in zone 6B; don't have a lot of snow, but temps can get down to the 20s and teens at night for several months. We have a garage and a shed, both of which are crammed full of stuff. I might see what I can move out of the garage; it's insulated and stays around 50F through the winter, so that would be fine.