Strawberry plants should not be permitted to fruit more than two years.
After the first crop has been picked, the foliage of standard varieties
should be mowed off and removed from the patch. The rows should then be
narrowed down by plowing a furrow from each side of the row leaving a
ridge or back-furrow between the rows. This should be worked down with
harrow and cultivator until the furrows have been filled and the ground
again made level. A spike-tooth harrow may be used but the teeth should
be set with a back slant so as not to tear out the plants when crossing
the rows. In small gardens this work may be done with spade and garden
rake. Continue working the ground until the surface is smooth. This will
slightly cover the crowns and the plants which remain in the rows will
soon come up through the fine covering of soil. Apply a top-dressing of
manure, continue to cultivate the same as the first year, and your
second crop will be fully as profitable as the first.
After fruiting the second year plow the plants under and plant the
ground to some other crop at least one year before again setting to
strawberries.