Growing Strawberries

[Lola]

Hey everyone.

I bought some strawberry plants from Wilkinsons on a bit of a whim, I've never grown strawberries before and I'm getting really confused as the websites I've looking on for tips have conflicting advice.

I'm assuming the plants from Wilko's are first year plants? Should I let them fruit this year? Should I let them produce runners?

Sorry for the dim questions, but every website seems to say something different

[Hans Mum]

they will probably be 1st year, get them in as soon as you can, you will get fruit this year but not a much as next year.........when they produce runners you should propogate those to produce new plants for next year - straws usually have a 3year life so you can keep your stock going and increasing it by planting the runners. Dont forget to net them cause the birds love them and if you can get some clean straw or something to protect the frutis when they are ripening and protect them from the slugs and heavy rain