Strawberry runners

[Greenleaves]

The old chap (89) on the plot next door no longer really grows anything but harvests the memories from when he tended the plot with his late wife. But being the nice old chap he his, he has said I can pot and root his strawberry runners if I like....I know about pegging them down so they take root, but what do I do then?

Do I plant them up or keep them potted up till next year?

[WendyC]

When they have rooted (give the plants a tug or look for roots out the bottom of the pot) you can cut them free of the mother plant and plant them where you like.

[Greenleaves]

Thanks Wendy...not sure if they overwintered OK, but seeing your reply they obviously do.

[KarlB924]

Strawberries are pretty hardy in the middle of winter, I'd fleece them if it's going to be a hard frost or heavy snowfall, but otherwise they'll usually be okay. Just peg them now, and come back in a month or so and they'll probably have taken root, then you can trim them and take them home to plant out or even leave in the pots like I did with a few of mine.

[Greenleaves]

Thanks Karl