Very very poor crop of strawberries this year, why?

[4390evans]

So i moved my strawberries up to a bank where I had my potatos last year. The first set I moved I have had them for 2 years and had good crops off them both years. The other 2 different varieties I bought this year and planted at the end of spring.
So I have 3 different varieties, I have given potash and tomatoe feed and off 18 plants I have got 10 berries...

Any ideas?

Thanks guys

[Scarlet]

Strawberries need replacing every three years. Usually giving the best crop in year two. You need to take runners off your old plants every year so that you continually have some strong plants on the go.

[Scarlet]

Oh, just read it properly! Just 10 berries?! Has anything been eating them?

[BUFFS]

you are not on your own having troubles with strawberries, I even bought 18 new plants this year but due to the constant cold nights they started just putting out runners in june, with only about 12 strawberries over all the plants and the temp today is about 10deg below what it should be, yesterday was roasting but today requires a jumper on indoors and a decent coat on if you go out in the cold rain and the afternoon temps are down to single figures even though the weather people(department of guessology) give us nearly double the actual figure, even melons started in march are only 12ins high so will be dumped onto the compost bin tomorrow as temps will only go down now, well there is always next year...

[4390evans]

Yeah only 10 berries
I know snails got 2 because I got them half eaten, they also started putting out runners last month too. I wondered if it was because the roots are not restricted? Or was I not feeding them enough? I had put straw all round them to keep in moisture in, I've got the runners pinned atm so will have a few for next year but even them are sparse as Ive got 12 runners..
I am gonna put the runners in pots for next year see if that makes any difference.
The alpine strawberries are doing good mind you.

[WendyC]

I know strawberries are in the same family as potatoes and so is best not to follow one with the other. Perhaps a good feed is in order. My strawberries weren't great but I know they are old plants.

[Alison]

I know strawberries are in the same family as potatoes and so is best not to follow one with the other.

I thought strawberries were part of the rose family.

[Bigmallly]

It may pay to net them, not only humans have a liking for them..............

[rosiepumpkin]

mine are in year 2, in an open cold frame with bindweed as 'netting'. the birds don't touch them and we had kilos this year. maybe yoyrs were meant to be in fruit just when it got cold.

[veggiechicken]

What varieties are they?
Have you had flowers but no fruit?
Have you had fruit but it hasn't ripened?

[Aberdeenplotter]

Worst ever I had with strawberries was squirrels cleared the bed of fruit before it was properly developed never mind ripe.

New plot now though
Plants in second year and we have a huge crop with a dozen new plants coming on and a further dozen will be set off this year

[4390evans]

All I can remember is one is of the cambridge variety, i had flowers loads of flowers but then nothing..

[Bal]

I put my strawberries into hanging baskets this year and had loads of them. Ver few runners though. Bought the plants last year from bargain shel at B&Q elsanta. Not bad for £5 for 20 plants

[roitelet]

Did they get frosted? The centers of the flowers turn black and it kills the fruit.

[Bacchus]

I've also had a poor crop of strawberries this year. I suspect the weather is to blame somewhere - it always is.