Strawberry Fungus? - Ask Extension
My strawberry patch is not producing. The plants are growing, they look reasonably good, but the leaves have brown spots with a small purple dot in t...
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Strawberry Fungus? #941596
Asked August 05, 2026, 10:40 AM EDT
My strawberry patch is not producing. The plants are growing, they look reasonably good, but the leaves have brown spots with a small purple dot in the middle. A fungus? Is there anything i can do? Spray with copper chromate? Something else? In summary, is there a remedy for this problem??
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi there,
Thanks a lot for the question! I wonder how old your strawberry patch is. Typically, the yield goes down quite bit during the years 3-5. Viruses, fungal disease, and overcrowing of the plans can all contribute to lower yields.
Growing Strawberries in the Home Garden | CFAES Knowledge Hub
If the patch is older than 5 years, I would do a complete renovation by removing all the plants and planting new plants.
If the patch is 3 years old or so, you can mow the leaf blades with a mower now. Set the mower blade as high as possible to avoid damage to the crowns. You can also narrow the rows with a tiller. This is called partial renovation.
Do a soil test to make sure nutrients aren't the issue.
Hope this helps.
Thanks a lot for the question! I wonder how old your strawberry patch is. Typically, the yield goes down quite bit during the years 3-5. Viruses, fungal disease, and overcrowing of the plans can all contribute to lower yields.
Growing Strawberries in the Home Garden | CFAES Knowledge Hub
If the patch is older than 5 years, I would do a complete renovation by removing all the plants and planting new plants.
If the patch is 3 years old or so, you can mow the leaf blades with a mower now. Set the mower blade as high as possible to avoid damage to the crowns. You can also narrow the rows with a tiller. This is called partial renovation.
Do a soil test to make sure nutrients aren't the issue.
Hope this helps.
Hi! Thank you for your detailed, very helpful reply! The June half of my plot is more than three years old. I plan to replant it. The other half, ever bearing, is new. Right now I think it would be worth trimming it as suggested. . .see what happens?
Can you suggest a nursery (s) in Dublin-Franklin Co that has a selection of plants? Oakland is near us but with limited choices.
Thanks again!
Bob Arkes
Resident of Friendship Village of Dublin. 6000 Riverside Drive
From: ask=<personal data hidden> on behalf of Ask Extension
Sent: Wednesday, August 5, 2026 3:37 PM
To: bbarkes5
Subject: Re: Strawberry Fungus? (#0211511)
Sent: Wednesday, August 5, 2026 3:37 PM
To: bbarkes5
Subject: Re: Strawberry Fungus? (#0211511)
Hi Bob,
You are welcome! For widest selections, you may need to order them from a mail order company like Indiana Berry.
Oakland is probably the best in Dublin/Columbus. Strader's may carry some strawberry plants, but their selections may be limited as well.
Good luck!
You are welcome! For widest selections, you may need to order them from a mail order company like Indiana Berry.
Oakland is probably the best in Dublin/Columbus. Strader's may carry some strawberry plants, but their selections may be limited as well.
Good luck!
