Hello,

It sounds like you’ve been quite attentive to your strawberry plants, but there are a few factors that could be affecting their ability to bloom and bear fruit. Here are some potential reasons based on educational resources:

Overwatering: While strawberries need consistent moisture, watering twice a day may be excessive, especially if the soil doesn’t have time to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot and other diseases. More information at this link:

Growing Strawberries in Your Home Garden | OSU Extension Service (oregonstate.edu)

Soil Conditions: Strawberries prefer fertile, well-drained, sandy loam or clay loam soils. Heavy clay soils can reduce plant growth and vigor and increase the risk of disease. More information at this link:

How to Grow Strawberries in Your Garden | USU

Fertilization: While fish emulsion is a good organic fertilizer, too much nitrogen can lead to lush foliage at the expense of flowering and fruiting. You might want to check the balance of nutrients in your soil. It’s important to conduct a soil test before fertilizing to ensure your strawberries get the right nutrients they need. Details on soil testing at this link: Get Started | MSU Soil Test

Plant Age: Everbearing strawberries typically produce fruit throughout the growing season, but if the plants are older, their productivity may decline.
More information at this link:

Unveiling the diverse world of strawberries: June-bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral | Flowers, Fruits, and Frass | Illinois Extension | UIUC

Day Length: Everbearing strawberries are less dependent on day length for flowering and fruiting compared to June bearers, but extreme day lengths can still affect their cycle.

Temperature: Ideal growing temperatures for everbearing strawberries range from 45 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If temperatures are consistently outside this range, it could affect flowering and fruit production. More information at this link:

Unveiling the diverse world of strawberries: June-bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral | Flowers, Fruits, and Frass | Illinois Extension | UIUC

To address these issues, consider adjusting your watering schedule, ensuring proper soil drainage, and possibly conducting a soil test to check for nutrient imbalances. Also, if your plants are older, it might be time to replace them with new ones.

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Thought you might like this additional information - Growing strawberries in Michigan can be a rewarding experience, and Michigan State University (MSU) Extension provides valuable information to help gardeners succeed. Here are some key points to consider:

Selecting Varieties: Choose strawberry varieties that are well-suited for Michigan’s climate. Recommended varieties include Jewel, Honeoye, and Allstar1. Other varieties that grow well in Michigan include Guardian, Surecrop, Midway, Red Chief, and Sparkle.

Planting Site: Find a sunny spot in your garden that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day1.

Planting Technique: Use the right planting technique, which includes proper spacing and depth to ensure good root development.

Watering and Mulching: Regular watering and mulching help maintain soil moisture and temperature, which are crucial for strawberry growth.

Fertilization: Proper fertilization is important for the health and productivity of your strawberry plants. It’s important to conduct a soil test before fertilizing to ensure your strawberries get the right nutrients they need. Details on soil testing at this link: Get Started | MSU Soil Test

Weed Management: Keep the area around your strawberries free of weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and water1.

Pest and Disease Management: Monitor for pests and diseases and manage them promptly to avoid damage to your plants1.

Harvesting: Harvest strawberries when they are fully red, as they will not ripen further after picking. Medium-sized strawberries that are firm and plump are ideal.

For more detailed guidance, including how to manage specific pests and diseases, or for information on preserving your harvest, you can refer to the resources provided by MSU Extension at the below links: They offer a wealth of knowledge to help you get the most out of your strawberry garden.

Selecting strawberry varieties for your garden - MSU Extension

Considerations for growing backyard small fruit - MSU Extension

I hope this helps!