Strawberry question

[annie8]

So I bought 10 bare root strawberries (marshmello) in 2016. I’ve had a decent return on them and they are now in a raised bed. I took 10 runners off last year so have another 10 who have just done their first year and i keep them in the greenhouse which ives me an earlier crop. I read that strawberries give less fruit after their 3rd year so am wondering whether to get rid of the 10 I’ve had for 3 years, put the new 10 into the beds as their second year and get 10 more runners from the current plants so I have 10 year 1 plants for next year. Could I guess headgear my bets and keep half of the older ones. What would you suggest ?

[Mr Bones]

Common advice is not to allow fruit to form on one year old plants and keep them for three years before replacing (bit of a faff). Mrs B however follows the advice of well seasoned lotty neighbour of ours and allows new plants to fruit in their first year and renews them after two years. It works for us and is easier to keep track.

[Brack]

I follow the more pragmatic method of letting them fruit when they like, eating all the fruit, and when they make runners, plant all of them somewhere.
I'm not sure it's possible to have too many strawberry plants, and by the time they reduce their fruit output I'll have plenty others.

[annie8]

They are in a raised bed and are filling it so not possible to add any more. Think I’ll defibwtly get some runners going from them anyway for now. I can always keep them in pots.

[4Shoes]

I started a new patch. This is my 2nd summer. Last year was with late autumn runners and was pretty hit and miss. This year better crop. Expect summer 3 and 4 to be best.

So is the question is when is year 1. Is it like a birthday and hence end of following season

Strawberry Year
Year 0 - Runner
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Back to 0 - Move Plot / Runners

or should you grow your runner under cover and plant out in spring as big plants

There is the view of Runners as table top plants (under cover) for early crop, then plant out. Perhaps the middle ground.

[keat63]

Not scientific, so take what I say with a pinch of salt.

I have a dozen or so plants in the garden that I let do what they want.
Every few years I remember to peg down the runners.
My patch doesn't get any bigger, so I guess the old plants must die off eventually.