[batgirl]

I'm sure you've been asked this question many times, so apologies in advance!

We've recently taken over an allotment where the only thing left growing were strawberry plants. They currently have lots of runners growing from the main plants and I'm aware that I should be doing something with these but not quite sure what!?!

Can anyone advise? Am I too late to create new plants for next summer? If not what should I do?

I have bought a couple of books, but I'm still left a bit puzzled! Complete novice!

Thanks in advance

[batgirl]

Silly me, I've just noticed there's a similar post further down.

So do I need to plant the strong runners into pots now and in a month or so plant them back into the plot? Do I need to do anything with them over winter, cover them for example?

[sonnycbr]

If your plants are more than 3 years old, then you will need to pot up the runners into 3" pots, peg them down in the pots if you can. When they have rooted, you can plant them out into the plot. I prefer to pot them on and overwinter them in a polytunnel before planting out next spring. Strawberries are hardy plants, so don't need covering over winter.

[operabunny]

Personally I wouldn't cover them or put them in a polytunnel. Sounds strange for a fruit associated with sunshine but strawberries like the cold.

[viettaclark]

I left my runners out in pots last winter and planted into beds come early Spring.
You don't get much of a crop the first year. In fact some say to cut off any flowers or runners to strengthen the plant but I left the flowers and had a few fruits.

[batgirl]

Thanks, that great. No idea how old the straberries have been there. I'll pot the runners and see how they go.

One more question, do I need to remove the runners from the the main plant when I plant them in pots?

[sunshineband]

Cut off any runners you don't want to become plants as it saves the main plant's strength.

Don't sever the ones for new plants unitl the new one has good roots