Here are some general tips for growing strawberries.

Prepare a bed by digging to a spades depth and adding plenty of hummus {compost,manure,leaf mould} to the bed
• The bed should be positioned where it receives  sun, as shaded foliage in cool conditions  and wet foliage encourages the establishment of several diseases.
• Prepare a bed that that is rich in organic matter and has not contained any of the tomato/potato family for 3 years.
• Prepare the strawberry bed in early to mid summer with compost and well-rotted manure covered with a thick layer of mulch.
•  Start preparing the bed in early summer using manure (without lime) under a thick layer of mulch. Strawberry plants respond well to organic cultivation as beneficial fungi in organic matter help keep soil diseases under control and provide roots with nutrients.

• Strawberry plants should be replaced every 3 – 5 years as young plants are better croppers.
• I don’t recommend growing strawberries in beds covered with black plastic. Strawberries need regular watering, and an occasional dose of liquid fertiliser applied to soil. A plastic soil covering requires drip irrigation to be set up before planting. The plastic not only makes it difficult to apply supplementary fertilisers  it also attracts slugs
• Manures will provide the nutrients the crowns need for strong roots and good foliage growth. Good foliage cover is important to protect fruit from birds. If growth seems slow, an application or two of weak seaweed tea will help. But, don’t overdo it.
•  Fruit is produced through spring or summer. In cold areas, plants can be protected from frost by covering them with clean straw.
• When flowers start to form an application of seaweed extract tea will help both fruit quality and disease protection.
• Excess watering as fruit forms will result in watery strawberries.
• If you have not mulched the bed to conserve moisture, clean straw or wood shavings should be placed under developing fruit to keep it clean.