Strawberries just planted - remove flowers this year or not

[Paul_TT]

Please assist as I have seen conflicting information from various sources.

I have just planted my strawberries - root system and a 2" high thick shoot
Now my bemusement In the first year do I

1 Just let the plants grow and crop the fruit or
2 Remove the shoots as soon as they flower to encourage 'daughter' shoots

I read both are correct but they are mutually exclusive events :-) Help please !!!!!

[ameno]

You should definitely remove all runners in the first year.
As for flowers, that depends somewhat on how big the plants are and how good their root system was when you planted them. As long as they had good roots and the plants look strong, I'd leave them on. Be sure to keep them watered and fed, though.

[burnie]

I don't remove them, but water is important, the main reason why I don't use those tower thingies as the water never got to the ones at the bottom when me and my Dad tried(though to be fair that was a long time ago)

[seasprout]

Personally, if your plants are happy & healthy, well fed and watered... stop any runners from forming, enjoy your crop.