Apply light mulch, to keep weeds down. Fertilize beds in early summer and again in September with a balanced fertilizer. Do not fertilize if plants are flowering. Watering is very important in early summer and September. Winter protection for all strawberry varieties is important in most northern areas. Apply a mulch of straw or other loose organic matter 2-3 inches deep over the plants after the ground freezes but before the temperature drops below 20 degrees F. In spring, pull the mulch back into the rows.