Keeping Strawberries in EB over Winter

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Active Member, sjssjs. This was originally posted on October 2, 2012.

Hi all,
I live in Denver Colorado where it gets cold in the winter.  I would like to keep my strawberries in the EB over winter in order to get more berries in the second year. Has anyone done this in a cold climate? If so, do you leave the EB outside with a new mulch cover over the EB after the strawberries die off for the winter?  How do you water the plants during the winter?  Or do you put the EB in  a protected area ( ie: garage) and water infrequently?

Would love to year any suggestions.

Thanks,
Susan

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, John. This user is located in Northeast PA Zone 5. This was originally posted on October 17, 2012.

Hello Susan,
Ideally, a protected area is the best.  If you don't have access to such a space, a southern exposure with some insulation is recommended; removing the casters will also help eliminate some of the surface area being exposed to the cold. 
When winterizing, cut down your strawberry plants leaving some of the crown exposed and drain the reservoir. New growth will resume in the spring so be sure to bring them outdoors at that time.
I would NOT recommend putting a new cover over the plants either indoors or out.
During the 2nd year you will want to let 6 stolons (shoots) grow to produce offspring (similar to a spider plant). Keeping them trimmed will help conserve the plants energy until you want the offspring to grow. If your EarthBox is on grass or soil use caution because they WILL take root.
Use these to replace the parents when replanting your EarthBox.
Hope this helps! 

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Active Member, BDumler2. This user is located in Meridian, ID Zone 6. This was originally posted on November 23, 2012.
I'm also new at strawberries, should I have cut all of the offshoots ?  It's like they're a weed and just took off. In other words, if I started with 6 plants and now have 12 or more, should I cut all of the offshoots off and go back to the original 6?

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, cushman350. This user is located in Tomato Hell, Wichita Falls, TX Zone 7b. This was originally posted on November 25, 2012.

I seem to remember people covering the overwintering plants with straw for insulation and protection. In the spring, they remove the straw and there would be shoots under there. Straw breathes, plastic covers, not so much.