What do I do with my strawberry bed for the winter?

image from extension.iastate.edu

     ​Winter Care of Strawberries
Strawberry plants are perennial. They are naturally cold hardy and will survive mildly freezing temperatures. So, if your area has mild winters, little care is needed.
In regions where the temperature drops into the low twenties, strawberries will be in their dormant stage. It’s best to provide some winter protection:
•When the growing season is over, mow or cut foliage down to one inch. This can be done after the first couple of frosts, or when air temps reach 20°F (-6°C).
•Mulch plants about 4 inches deep with straw, pine needles, or other organic material.
•In even colder regions, more insulating mulch should be added. 
•Natural precipitation should appropriately maintain sufficient soil moisture. 
•Remove mulch in early spring, after danger of frost has passed.
Pests/Diseases
•Gray Mold
•Powdery Mildew
•Japanese Beetles
•Spider Mites
•Slugs
Pest-Beating Tips
•Keeping beds weed-free and using a gritty mulch can deter slugs and bugs. Spread sand over the strawberry bed to deter slugs. (This also works well for lettuce.) Pine needles also foil slug and pill-bug damage.
•For bigger bugs such as Japanese beetles, spray your plants with puréed garlic and neem seed oil.
•When birds threaten your strawberries, position balloons with scare-eyes above the beds and use reflective Mylar bird tape to deter them.
taken from https://www.almanac.com/plant/strawberries
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net