Cutting off flowers

My niece is just starting to garden in her new build garden, and she's really keen to learn. She was asking me a few questions about her seedlings, tomatoes and things, when she told me she was snipping off the flowers of her plants, including her strawberries. Must admit I thought it funny at first.... but could she be right I wonder? I've never heard of this, sounds like it comes from the era where we were told to double dig. I take the view that if the plant is healthy, looked after and fertilised when needed, then why not let it do what nature intended, ie to bear fruit?

 

That would have been the accepted way to establish a plant if you wanted longevity and productivity.The days of Sewell Cooper, Roy Hay, Percy Thrower, where the House had a head gardener with staff ,time and craft
However in these urgent times, when instant gratification is the all; when its all expendable and easily bought (again), little craft is the norm . Its why the garden centres need 'overblown' stock to sell, which may look 'good' but often fails to make the grade.
Where its all too far forward for the realities of our climate, and must have a bloom to be considered at all. Just watch the public select for purchase, look at delicate flowers just stuffed in to a trolley; the likelihood of surviving the journey home marginal at best.

 

It probably makes sense if you’re using peat free compost too, giving the roots time to develop to support a better crop.

 

Thinning flowers, maybe, chopping them all off seems a bit harsh.
I have removed flower buds from bedding plants in the past before planting out.