Bare root strawberry plant question

[KaleandCatNaps]

Hi folks! I've searched high and low on the interwebs for the answer to this but apparently my googling skills need work. I received 20 bare root strawberry plants last weekend and got them straight into pots. They have all settled in brilliantly and all have at least a couple of leaves on them now (which they didn't have when they arrived). I've never grown strawberries before. Do you you think there is enough time left this year for them to settle in and grow some fruit this year? Or will I have to wait till next year.

Thanks folks and hope you're all getting out in the garden this bank holiday!

[fishpond]

Any idea what variety they are?

[KaleandCatNaps]

Half and half Honeoye and Florence (from an offer in KG magazine a while back). One is an early and the other is late I believe. Thanks!

[Bigmallly]

Hi & welcome to the vine, I think you will be fine to get them in the ground. Just leave enough space between plants to push runners into the soil.

[KaleandCatNaps]

Thanks for it the welcome BigMally 😊 They will actually be staying in the pots (very large ones) as we are in a rental so can't plant into the ground.

[fishpond]

Why does being in a rented property stop you from planting the strawberries in the ground, as they would be a lot easier to water and feed out of pots?

[KaleandCatNaps]

Why does being in a rented property stop you from planting the strawberries in the ground, as they would be a lot easier to water and feed out of pots?

Because we intend to buy somewhere by the end of the year so we've been doing all our growing in large pots so things can move with us  Lots of watering and feeding but it's been working well for us so far.

[fishpond]

Thank You, it now makes sense.

[flynch]

They will most likely produce a small crop in the first year but it's normally recommended to pick the flowers in the first year to give them time to get established and give better crops down the line. Not everyone does so is up to you

[KaleandCatNaps]

Fab thank you Flynch! I would love to say I will be restrained enough to pinch out the flowers but I know myself better than that...

[Chris11]

Flynch is right about the smaller crop in the first year, but I'd say enjoy whatever fruits you get this year, with the expectation of a greater yield next year.

What I would do is leave the flowers, but remove any runners early season so the plants focus energies more on fruiting and rooting