What to do with bare-root strawberry plants?

[hamamelis]

I've just got a delivery of 20 strawberry runners- I've got an allotment bed pretty much ready for them, but I have a few problems:

1. The ground's frozen solid, even most of the compost bag I have outside
2. I've totally done my back in to the extent that I'm probably not going to be able to make it to my allotment for at least a week or so. (I've been unable to even make it to the corner shop for over a week).
3. As we were planning to move (which has now fallen through), I took all my spare empty pots to the allotment, rather than leaving them in the blown-away greenhouse. All I have is a couple of Morrisons buckets, and not enough (frozen) compost to fill them.

So... what's the best way to store them until both I and the ground are in a fit state? It could be weeks, and I'm not in a state to buy more pots or compost. Can I just leave them in the plastic bags they came in for a while? Wrap them in newspaper? Or will they start rotting in a few days regardless, unless I can get them in the ground?

Sorry for the long rambly post, I'm just really not sure what I should do...

[Newton]

I think you can pot them up on small pots then pot on or plant out as required. They are very hardy and should be ok outside or in a cold greenhouse.

I believe you can keep them in pots in the GH for an earlier crop.

[hamamelis]

My problem is I don't have any small pots... I know it sounds like a rather silly excuse, but I've basically been stuck in bed for over a week, due to back problems, and I can't get to the shops.
How long would they last just wrapped in damp newspaper? That I can probably manage,,

[veggiechicken]

Are they bare root runners? If so you wouldn't want them to dry out - or sweat in a plastic bag.

[VirginVegGrower]

Pop them into a bucket or trig of compost, watered in and replant when ground warmer. I would polythene the frozen area to prep it ready quicker.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Family and friends time I think if you are immobile.

[veggiechicken]

Sorry, I overlooked the "bareroot" bit in the title! Can you get someone to bring your compost into the house to thaw out. Then ask them to empty it into any suitable container that you have - a deep seed tray, mushroom box, washing up bowl. I wouldn']t worry about spacing them out, they'll be pretty dormant at the moment. Just get their roots in compost and give them some water and leave somewhere cool until you can give them the attention they deserve!
Hope your back is better soon.

[hamamelis]

Cheers, I'll try and get my housemate to bring in a bit of compost (should be an easy bribe- she's getting some of the plants) and just keep them damp. Didn't think of just trying that- it's always plant properly or nothin' for me.

[starloc]

let them dry out a bit till there just damp, put them in a sealed bag in the fridge until you want them

[salome2001]

thanks veggiechicken for that- I just got a box in the mail today as well!!! And I've just moved my strawberry pots INSIDE as they has frozen solid on the deck.

[starloc]

Being frozen solid will not hurt them, mine freeze every year in pots, you will/may find that unfreezing them will start the flowering cycle so unless you have enough heat and light inside then its better to leave them outside

[singleseeder]

No pots? How about yoghurt pots, cut off bottoms of 'pop' or milk bottles or make paper pots from newpaper (google it); the options here are endless.

[zazen999]

I just put mine in a trug, pierced holes in the bags, poured some water over and left them for a few weeks. That reminds me, I still have about 25 at the lottie still in the trug. When it defrosts a bit, I must get them sorted out.