I have a large raised strawberry bed with around 25 plants of various varieties. They fruited very well last year and I would like to do the same again this year. My question is, will the existing plants come away again this year or should I throw out the old plants and replace them with new ones for this season? Can I lift and split the old plants and replant them after I have re-fertilised and composted the entire bed? 

• Yes, strawberry plants have a reliable fruiting life of about three seasons, and then they should be removed and replaced with new plants as the fruit becomes small and plants less productive over the years.
• The best way to get new plants is to take the runners that come off the plants in autumn and replant those.
• Strawberry plants form a crown, if the plants are still producing well you could attempt to divide the crown and split plants up in winter and then replant to give them more space, be sure to take some of the crown and roots when dividing. If dividing old plants, they will not fruit as well or the fruit be as large as new seasons plants.
• Clean up the existing plants, remove dead foliage and remove straw mulch over winter, reapply strawberry straw in spring, this keeps moisture in the soil and helps keep the fruit clean.
• Once fruiting has finished feed your soil with a handful per plant of Tui Sheep Pellets, as well as a balanced fertiliser such Tui Strawberry Food around the base of the plants.
• In spring, reapply strawberry food, feed every 4-6 weeks to maintain healthy fruiting plants.