Both pots were started at the same time from the same batch of strawberry starts. They should have the same soil box. Both grew vigorously last spring/summer and got visited by deer in the fall. Both bounced back pretty well before winter set in. The left pot is very happy, the right... Not so much. I do recall the big pot having quite a bit of wilted leaf cover all winter, but don't think that was the case for the pot on the right. Maybe I didn't notice a late in the season deer visit that set the small pot back? Maybe the smaller pot got just enough colder than the big pot to kill some roots? Any other theories?
How cold does it get over winter? The smaller, shallower container with less leaf cover may have been winter killed. Alternatively, with the dark plastic, it may be heating up and drying out faster now that it is spring. Does the soil feel dryer in it quicker or anything?
I really didn't water these plants last year and this spring we've had plenty of rain. We're zone 6, but the not as deep, and much less wide, pot might have resulted in a winter kill. That or me missing a deer visit are the two most probably causes in my mind, I just wanted to see if there might be something I'm overlooking. I will be adding some more drain holes to the black pot and remove the built in drip tray too.