Do not rush to mulch just because an early snowfall occurred.Time mulch application around early snowfall and cold snapsĮarly cold temperatures and snowfall, such as in October, make it difficult to decide when to lay down mulch for strawberries. Very small operations can hand-apply straw, but most farms are large enough that they need to use a mechanical mulcher that grinds ("fluffs") and blows the straw over the rows.Spread straw at a rate of 2.5 to 3.0 tons per acre, covering the plants by 2 to 3 inches.Do not apply mulch until the plants are dormant.In Minnesota, this occurs between November and December. Apply mulch once soil temperatures have been 40☏ or below for 3 consecutive days, which is the threshold at which the plants enter dormancy.If strawberries are left uncovered in the winter, their crowns can be damaged or killed by temperatures below 12☏. It also retains soil moisture the following spring and summer. Mulch saves the plants from drying out or being killed by cold winter temperatures.
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