Strawberry plants produce best when they are young. However, they conveniently send out runners that will become new plants. So thinning out the older plants while allowing the new ones created from runners to fill in will keep your strawberry patch in continual production. You only have to thin them once a year.

When should you thin out strawberries?

Wait until the plants go dormant to thin out overgrown strawberry beds. Dormancy begins four to six weeks after the harvest and lasts until the bed gets some drenching rains. Try to thin strawberry beds before late summer rains revive the plants.

Should you split strawberry plants?

Don't divide small crowns, because they may not survive long enough to put out their own roots. ... Loosely cover the crown with soil, leaving stems and foliage exposed. You will need to keep your new strawberry plants well-watered during their first season as they are putting out new roots.