[sion01]

While clearing/weeding a strawberry patch for an elderly neighbour I had to dig it all up and sort of start again as it was so weed infested and so many of the runners had rooted.He's got two empty greenhouses and we were toying with the idea of putting some of the runner plants in growbags.Will they produce fruit earlier than the out door ones.How much earlier?Is it worth the space?Even if it isn't worth the space at least it would give him something to do watering them.

With the older plants that are outside,what should I do with them now.If they hadn't been moved I've read the old foliage should be removed but as I've had to move them would it be better to keep the foliae on so that they can establish?Im always more nervouse about doing something for somebody else as I'd hate to get it wrong.By the way I think the straeberry's are Elsanta incase that has any baring on the answer

[solway cropper]

I pot up runners into all sorts of containers and hanging baskets and bring them into the greenhouse over winter. Picked the first fruit on 2nd May this year which was 3/4 weeks before the outdoor crop so go for it. They will need a high potash feed as grow bags don't have a lot of nutrients in them.

How old are the older plants? If three years or more I'd chuck em and plant up with more runners.

[shoozie]

The Beechgrove Garden did a trial on greenhouse strawberries this year - the fact sheet below says a little on how they got on.  Not sure if you can track down a re-run of the episode

http://www.thebeechgrovegarden.com/factsheet/factsheet.php?fact_id=372

[sion01]

According to the strawberry owner they are two years old so hopefully they should be OK

[TerryB]

Have had strawberries in growbags for 2 years.
I leave them outside all winter and move them into greenhouse at the start of March.
First picking usually 4 weeks before outside ones.
Move them back outside at end of May as greenhouse is needed for Tom's etc.
They are more work watering and feeding in the bags but give it a try if you have spare plants.

[realfood]

Remember that they need pollinating by hand if bees cannot reach them indoors. Hand pollination is not as good as letting the bees do it.