I planted strawberries this spring. Do I need to remove this year's blossoms?

Question:

I planted strawberries this spring. Do I need to remove this year's blossoms?

Answer:

During the first growing season, all the blossoms should be removed from June-bearing strawberries.  If the flowers are allowed to develop into berries, their development will reduce plant growth, runner production, and the size of next year’s crop.  Check the strawberry plants once a week and remove the blossoms by pinching or cutting.  Flower production on June-bearing strawberries should stop by early July. 

With everbearing and day-neutral strawberries, remove all blossoms until early July.  Any flowers which bloom after this period may be allowed to develop into fruit.  The first berries should ripen in August and continue until frost.