Knowledgebase

strawberries in the freeze thaw #925531

Asked March 06, 2026, 1:06 PM EST

3/5/2026 Montgomery, MN Outside daytime temps 40's, 50's, possible 60's this weekend. Rain Friday. Nighttime temps in the 30's and 40's. Temps are going to turn colder later this coming week, possibly in the teens overnight, and low 30's during the day. Strawberries were not covered with straw over winter due to early snowfall. Snow has melted off the patch and are exposed to the air for the last couple weeks. I am worried about the freezing temps damaging my patch. Should I cover the patch to prevent frost damage to my patch?

Le Sueur County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for writing. 
Montgomery is zone 4b. 
https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-strawberries-home-garden
The bigger danger to strawberries is wet soil or standing water. 
A hard  spring freeze can damage strawberries depending on the growth phase of the plant. https://extension.umn.edu/strawberry-farming/protect-strawberries-spring-freeze-and-frost
I do not have any information on whether your plants are out of dormancy or not. 
The weather forcast that I find is not as severe as your information.  https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/Montgomery%2BMN?canonicalCityId=bc40b238bc6a8af9232c03f462739d968235a8fabac712023c43bc6dc0d000cd
Please send me a picture of your bed and more info about your weather data. 
Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear.  This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service.  https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert.  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied March 06, 2026, 1:49 PM EST

Loading ...