This is my first stawberry patch and my first year for fruit. I now see I have the spittle bug on all my plants. What can I use to get rid of them and still eat my strawberries?
The recipe at the end of this article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/spittlebug-control.htm
My plants are three years old and producing many berries; however, they are very sour. What can I do to sweeten them?
This article will help with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/strawberry/sweet-strawberries.htm
I have strawberries in a raised bed. Over the winter I put straw around the outside of the box and cover the plants with leaves. It's difficult to get the leaves off without hurting the new shoots. Is there a better way to keep them from freezing out over the winter? I live in Minnesota.
You could try covering them with burlap, then covering them with leaves. That would make the leaf removal easier. You could also try using straw instead of leaves. This will be easier to remove and you can leave a little bit of the straw behind to help keep the berries off the ground as they grow. This is actually how strawberries got there name as it was at one time common to grow them with straw mulch to keep the berries from being damaged by the ground and pests.
I am new to growing strawberries and now find I have white flies all over my plants and soil in one of my hanging baskets. The plants seem to be dying. How do I get rid of the pests before they spread to my other basket and tomatoes?
Treating the plant with a neem oil or other insecticide should clear up the problem. Make sure to treat the soil as well, as this can harbor the pest. This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/whitefly-control.htm
Some of my strawberries are small and deformed but turn ripe and have to be picked. Am I missing a nutrient?
Deformed fruits are called "nubbins." They can result from frost damage, lygus bug feeding (AKA tarnished plant bug), or most commonly poor pollination.
Horsetail has invaded my strawberry patch and some flower beds. How can I eradicate it or at least control it?
This article may help: https://www.gardenguides.com/94946-kill-horsetail.html
What is the best way to keep slugs and rolly poly bugs away from strawberry? My strawberries are planted in the ground, on a slight hill. I have tried beer in containers and straw to try to keep fruit off the dirt. Please help. Thanks, Barb
Try diatomaceous earth. It will kill the pests but it won't hurt people ant pets. Here is more information:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/diatomaceous-earth-insect-control.htm