I am starting a new strawberry garden, and I was wondering how to keep weeds down?

I am starting a new strawberry garden, rather large...and I'm trying to find a time friendly way to keep weeds down. I've seen numerous products like films and paper mulches. But I was worried about using them, because strawberries put on runners and even if I were to cut a new hole for each new runner it would make product hard to remove. If you have any ideas, please let me know.

I am starting a new strawberry garden, and I was wondering how to keep weeds down?
You can use newpaper (not the glossy ads) if you want. Almost all papers have switched to soy based inks so they are 100% biodegradable. I tend to use 2-4 pages thick in this type of bed. Once you have layed out a section wet it down well and its a littel mulch on top will hold it place.



My parents used to use a pretty thick layer straw on top of that in N. Idaho, cuts down weeds, shades the berrys from too much sun and you just mulch it in -- I'm in Oregon and the straw seems to be an invitation to slugs for me; although, I know others who use it successfully.



Personally I would cut most runners unless I'm replacing or expanding a plot, but if you don't want to, you don't have to worry about cutting holes, as the new plants will eventually work roots through the mulch and newspaper.



By the end of the season the newspaper is well on its way to disentigrating making it easy to turn it and the mulch into the soil and replace.
Reply:What I do is I use grass clippings. You will need to reapply every few weeks. The benefits are; controlling weeds, holding moisture and at the same time adding organic matter.



If you are planting June bearing strawberries, do not cut off the runners this year,

Ever baring strawberries, the runners should be cut off, and flower heads pinched off till the end of June.



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Reply:use landscape fabric and plant strawberries on a small mound. when they start to funit you must cover them, or the birds will getr them.
Reply:If you were to look at what professional growers do, you would find that they do just what most folks here are suggesting. Put down a layer of fabric or plastic and cut slits for the plants. It is the only practical way to do it.



People who grow strawberries, cut off the runners so the plant will concentrate on making berries. If you want to have some plants multiply, grow them without the fabric and use them only for new plants and not berries.
Reply:I would think the only effective way would be to use fabric (weed block). Put it down then cut out the holes for the plants.
Reply:At first you will need to do a little more work, but over time the strawberries will fill in and keep weeds at bay. Mix in organic compost before you plant, and mulch around the plants with a high-acid mulch, like pine needles. This will make the strawberries happy and deter a lot of weeds. You'll still have to keep an eye on it, though, until the strawberries fill in. Have fun!
Reply:PUT IN DRIP IRIGATION FEEDING EACH PLANT AND COVER WITH PLASTIC , CUT HOLES IN PLASTIC FOR PLANTS COVER WITH A BARK MULCH FOR LOOKS IF YOU WANT
Reply:we put sections of square unusable(rotting) bales between the rows it works great and is very walkable. a 8' thick section will last all season.
Reply:I used to use grass cuttings. perfect mulch, keeps weeds down and provides extra warmth as the grass composts.