weed filled strawberry patch - Ask Extension
we moved to a location with a fairly large garden with a strawberry patch in the garden. The patch was at one point quite productive I'm sure but now ...
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weed filled strawberry patch #909891
Asked July 15, 2025, 9:02 AM EDT
we moved to a location with a fairly large garden with a strawberry patch in the garden. The patch was at one point quite productive I'm sure but now is fill of weeds and quack grass and looks like the few strawberry plants are growing in a lawn.
I would like to start the strawberry patch over and would like to know to best way to eradicate the weeds/grass short of manually pulling them.
thank you
Stearns County Minnesota
Expert Response
Are they June-bearing (vs. the kind that produce small amounts all summer)? Best practice for strawberries is to rejuvenate the patch after harvest each year. It sounds like your new garden could use a bit more than that. Here is what the U of MN recommends for strawberry farms: https://extension.umn.edu/strawberry-farming/strawberry-end-season-renovation
For residential gardens that have not gotten too bad: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/get-more-strawberries-renovating-your-patch-after-harvest
If there are only a few strawberry plants and a lot of weeds, especialy grass, which would not be killed by the recommended 2,4-d weed killer, another option is to dig the strawberries out, treat for weeds with a non-selective herbicide that will kill everything, then re-plant the strawberries a few days later. The mother plants are usually removed and the baby plants used for next year's fruit.
Good luck with the project. It may be a lot of work, but there is nothing like fresh strawberries.
For residential gardens that have not gotten too bad: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/get-more-strawberries-renovating-your-patch-after-harvest
If there are only a few strawberry plants and a lot of weeds, especialy grass, which would not be killed by the recommended 2,4-d weed killer, another option is to dig the strawberries out, treat for weeds with a non-selective herbicide that will kill everything, then re-plant the strawberries a few days later. The mother plants are usually removed and the baby plants used for next year's fruit.
Good luck with the project. It may be a lot of work, but there is nothing like fresh strawberries.
thank you for the response
these are June bearing plants
what safe non-selective product would you recommend
I use glyphosate, but here is info on other options:
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/postemergence-non-selective-herbicides-for-landscapes-and-nurseries
Just remember to follow the label directions. Don't go stronger than advised (that kills the tops of plants before the roots have a chance to absorb). Make sure to wear protective clothing and don't spray anything on a windy day.
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/postemergence-non-selective-herbicides-for-landscapes-and-nurseries
Just remember to follow the label directions. Don't go stronger than advised (that kills the tops of plants before the roots have a chance to absorb). Make sure to wear protective clothing and don't spray anything on a windy day.
