How to Overwinter Strawberries in Zone 3 & 4: A Complete Guide

There’s something magical about biting into a sun-warmed strawberry picked fresh from your garden. After months of tending these precious plants, watching them send out runners and produce juicy berries, the last thing you want is to lose them to winter’s harsh embrace. I’ll admit, the first time I faced winter with my strawberry patch, I was more than a little nervous. But with some simple preparation, even those of us in the coldest growing zones can keep our strawberry plants thriving year after year.

The Secret to Success: Timing is Everything

Here in the harsh reality of zones 3 and 4, where winter temperatures regularly plummet below -20°F, proper timing can mean the difference between vibrant spring growth and starting over from scratch. I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) that you want to wait until after the first hard frost but before the ground freezes solid. For most of us, this sweet spot falls somewhere between late October and early November.

Why wait for frost? Those chilly temperatures actually trigger your strawberry plants to enter dormancy – nature’s way of preparing them for winter’s deep freeze. Pretty clever, right?

Getting Your Strawberry Patch Ready

Before tucking your plants in for their long winter’s nap, give them a little TLC:

Clean up the patch

• Remove dead leaves and any fruit that didn’t ripen (trust me, leaving rotting berries is just asking for trouble)
• Pull any ambitious weeds making a last stand
• Trim back leaves to about 2 inches above the crown

Give them one last drink

• Water deeply if the soil is dry
• Think of it as a final toast to a successful growing season

The Cozy Winter Blanket Method: Overwintering Strawberries in Snowy Climates

Now comes the fun part – creating that perfect winter hideaway. I like to think of it as building a cozy blanket fort for my plants. If you live in a snowy climate you can utilize the the insulation effect that snow itself provides.*

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Frost Cloth
• Snow

Layer your materials about 6-8 inches deep over the plants. I usually start with leaves or pine needles, then add a thick layer of straw. If you’re using row cover, that goes on last. The goal is to maintain a steady temperature around the crowns and roots, protecting them from the freeze-thaw cycles that can be so damaging.

The Cozy Winter Blanket Method: Overwintering Strawberries in Snowy Climates

Now comes the fun part – creating that perfect winter hideaway. I like to think of it as building a cozy blanket fort for my plants. If you live in a snowy climate you can utilize the the insulation effect of snow.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Frost Cloth
• Snow

If where you live is super cold, but not snowy move onto the next section. But if you get snow like I do in Colorado, then follow these tips. After the first frost, but before it gets absolutely frigid, bring out your Frost Cloth and place it over your plants. You can anchor it down with rocks or sandbags or use ground staples. We do use hoops for vegetables in the garden, but for the strawberries we place the frost cloth directly over the plants.

How to Overwinter Strawberries in Zone 3 and 4: Tips for Cold, but Low Snow

If you don’t have snow to help insulate, you’ll want to add some additional bulk to your plan.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Straw
• Frost Cloth

For this method, you’ll want to get your hands on high quality straw. It’s REALLY important that you get clean straw and not hay. Hay tends to have weed seeds in it and does not insulate as well as. Once your strawberries experience their first frost, get read to cover them in a layer of straw. Then cover that with the frost cloth. Anchor it down with sand bags, rocks, or use ground stakes. The frost cloth adds extra insulation and also has the benefit of preventing your straw from shifting or blowing away.

Spring Wake-Up Call

When spring finally peeks around the corner (usually late March to early April in our zones), resist the urge to uncover everything at once. I know it’s tempting – believe me, after a long winter, I’m as eager as anyone to see those green leaves! Instead:

1. Start by removing layers
2. Keep some covering handy for surprise frost nights
3. Watch for new growth before removing all protection

A Few Extra Tips From Experience

• Don’t use hay instead of straw – it often contains seeds that’ll give you a wheat field instead of a strawberry patch
• Check your garden after strong wind – sometimes winter storms can blow away your careful coverage
• Consider planting cold-hardy varieties like ‘Honeoye’ or ‘Kent’ for extra insurance

Remember, even if you lose a few plants (it happens to all of us!), strawberries are resilient. They’ll often surprise you with their ability to bounce back come spring. The key is not to get discouraged – every garden season brings new lessons and opportunities to grow.

With these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying fresh strawberries year after year, even in a high-altitude or cooler climate.

If you’re looking for more info on growing in colder climates, check out these articles on:

• Growing Strawberries in Colorado
• When to Start Seeds in Zone 4
• How to Grow Dahlias in Colorado