new strawberry plant question

[Ilikepumpkins]

I planted some strawberry plants in the Spring, and they are now thriving, with lots of fruit.

However, they are also producing lots of runners. I think I once read that the runners should be cut off very young plants to give the plants the energy to really establish themselves.

Is this correct, or have I just made this up?

Thanks.

[Shortie]

Welcome to the 'vine ILikePumpkins
I've heard this too, though I was also told you can save a few towards the end of the fruiting season. Apparently if you let them start saving them too early in the season they don't fruit as well as they should as the plant puts it's energy into that rather than produceing you lovely juicy strawbs

[nick the grief]

Hi ILP (easier to type )

strictly speaking you shouldn't let new strawb plants fruit in there first year or produce runners, the runners I can live without the strawbs .... well, thats harder

I would cut them off unless you are desperate to increase your stock this year, then next year root some either in pots in the round (makes it easier) or just peg them into the surrounding earth then sever when well rooted & move them to somwhere els to start your replacement strawberry bed as you should get rid of your existing plants after 3 or 4 years.