STEP 1: Give plants a thorough health check before they start into a new season of growth. Remove any discoloured leaves and any flower clusters that have appeared too early and been blackened by frost. Cut off any runners and remove any young plants that have rooted too close to the parent.
STEP 2: Remove any plants that are stunted and have dark crinkled leaves or ones that have bleached yellow patterning. Both of these are signs of virus diseases and the plants won’t recover. Viruses are introduced by aphids so keep plants free of these pests to avoid transfer of infection.
STEP 3: Turn pot-grown plants out of their pots and knock off loose compost. Destroy any vine weevil grubs while you are at it. Move to a larger pot and add fresh compost if repotting. Scatter some high-potash feed in the pots or over the surface of a strawberry bed. Water lightly.