Strawberry Runners

[martini]

A very kind soul has donated 10 strawberry runner plants - they're in pots and growing well. The bed they'll be going in isn't ready yet - I was told to bury them in their pots in a border for the winter, but should I cut off the foliage first (I've read you do this with the plants once they've finished fruiting)? Thanks

[Earthbabe]

I've usually done this. Apparently it stops them getting leaf borne diseases. It probably also helps them establish a good root system for the winter and for producing fruit the following year.

I'll be planting out my runners and transferring my other plants in the next month or so into their positions for next year. I will then cover with fleece for the winter. This seemed to get them in flower a bit earlier and I have had an extremely heavy crop this year. You can't beat home grown strawberries in season. Definitely worth the effort.

[martini]

Thanks Earthbabe - I'll do that - can't wait to taste a real strawberry again I can still remember what they tasted like out of my uncle's garden (donkeys years ago) and the last lot we had from the supermarket were awful! thanks again

[nick the grief]

Strictl speaking you should pick off theflowers in year one to let the plants buid up .... yeh right pass the cream

[Earthbabe]

Yes I've read that too. Glad I'm not too fussy about some things. I didn't pick off flowers and it doesn't seem to have done any harm.

[soobeth]

I've got massers of runners what do i do ive got at least 40 do i stop then or what

[nick the grief]

Hi Soobeth,

Either peg the plantlets (where the leaf clusters are) down to the ground or a pot of compost & then when it's rooted you severe from the parent plant.

Some people cut the runner off past the 2nd plantlet but you please yourself.