Will Transplanting My Strawberries Be Detrimental To Them?

Question

Hi Everyone. Hubby and I started our garden in 2019. I was trying to do it organically, but was failing…miserably. This year, I decided to go with organic as far as pest control, but for feeding, I’m using Miracle Gro water soluble. So far the results have been amazing. Which brings me to my question… I have 2 strawberry plants. We have recently been able to harvest some decent size strawberries. The two plants are now sending out runners. I have both plants in a 25 gallon fabric grow bag along with a few cucumber plants. I’m thinking about transplanting the strawberries into a smallish – 8’X2′ – raised bed that would be theirs alone so they can grow and expand. If I do that now, while they are producing fruit, will it cause them any harm, or would it be best if I wait until the fall? If I need to wait, any advice on the runners? The plant are near the edge of the bag, so some of the runners are growing up and over the edge of the bag. Thank you all in advance and have a wonderful day! – Janine

Answer 1

Luckily, once a strawberry plant is established, it is fairly hardy! The runners are not, however. Until they have grown their own roots, they need to remain attached to the parent. I will explain how I propagate my runners, though.

The easiest thing to do will be to get another container and set it beside your strawberries. Let one or two runners spill over into the container to root. Once it becomes established, you can cut the tether between them.

Once you have it on its own, keep all runners from forming until the second year. Remove flowers until the second year, as well.

If you want to split your established plants, the best time to do so is once growth gets vigorous, or during dormancy. Do not so do during the hottest or coldest parts of the year, though.

This collection of articles will help you to grow strawberries to their potential:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/strawberry