Ways to Utilize Strawberry Runners for Increased Strawberry Production

Project Summary

• Duration of Work: 1 to 2 hours
• Overall Duration: 1 to 2 hours

• Proficiency Level: Novice
• Projected Expense: $0

Strawberry plants are perennial fruits that typically require one to two years after planting to yield a significant harvest. As they grow, many varieties develop runners, which are elongated stems that enable the plant to reproduce.

These horizontal shoots emerge from the base of the main plant and feature nodes capable of producing replicas of the original plant, leading to the formation of new plants.

The tiny plant node that produces small strawberry leaves will also generate what are known as adventitious roots, which will search for an appropriate location to establish themselves. Runners are produced by all June-bearing strawberry types, as well as by the majority of everbearing or day-neutral varieties. However, certain wild strawberry types do not propagate through runners and must be cultivated from seeds, depending on the specific variety.

Strawberry runners can be considered young strawberry plants. Under suitable conditions, they can reproduce on their own, or they can be detached from the parent plant and planted as individual new plants.

As time passes, you might notice fresh, young strawberry plants sprouting alongside your established ones. These new plants are clones formed by strawberry runners. Continue reading to learn how to effectively utilize strawberry runners to cultivate additional strawberries.

What are strawberry stolons?

Strawberry runners, known as stolons, are tiny plant segments connected to an elongated stem that extends from the parent plant. These segments develop small roots, enabling them to propagate and be planted.

Is it possible to increase your strawberry yield by utilizing runners?

Runners serve as a natural method for strawberry plants to reproduce, allowing you to create additional plants and increase your berry yield. This approach can be particularly rewarding if you have well-established perennial strawberry beds that offer ample room for the runners to establish themselves.

It’s important to note that the generation of strawberry runners requires significant energy from the parent plant, which can impact its fruit-bearing capacity over time. Typically, strawberry plants can yield fruit for up to five years, although their production usually starts to decrease after the third year.

Subsequently, the emergence of runners can lead to overcrowding in the strawberry patch, which may drain the energy of the parent plant. However, relocating the runners can serve as an effective method to continuously refresh your strawberry bed with new, young plants.

After a strawberry plant has yielded its fruit for the season, it begins to generate runners. During late summer or early autumn, the main plant and its runners develop flower buds within the crown. At this stage, it is essential for the plant to receive sufficient water, light, and nutrients, as these buds will transform into flowers in the spring or early summer. As temperatures decrease in the fall, the plants will enter a dormant phase.

The Optimal Time for Transplanting Strawberry Offshoots

The ideal period for uprooting young strawberry plants that have developed from runners is during the fall, specifically from late September to early October. This timing allows the plants to settle in and yield fruit in the upcoming spring. When planting, treat them like you would new nursery plants, using quality organic loamy soil and adding straw mulch if you wish.

Requirements for Your Task

Devices / Instruments

• Garden trowel
• Pruning scissors or clippers

Materials

• Natural soil
• Straw used as a mulch

Instructions

Gather Your Strawberry Offshoots

As early autumn approaches, keep an eye out for the tiny strawberry plants that sprout near your established strawberry plants. Carefully uproot them using a small garden spade or your preferred transplanting tool. If they are still connected by runners, delicately cut them.

Get Your Strawberry Offshoots Ready

To get your strawberry runners ready for planting, gently remove any weeds or debris from the roots. Place them in their new location, incorporating some fresh soil. Strawberries thrive in soil that is neutral, nutrient-rich, and organic. If you prefer, you can create an entirely new strawberry bed.

Transplant Your Strawberry Offshoots

After setting up your new strawberry bed, it’s time to plant the runners. Ensure the crown is positioned above the soil surface. Lightly press the soil around the roots and provide ample water. For the first ten days, water them every other day to promote healthy growth. You have the option to apply a layer of straw mulch now or wait until spring; mulching in the fall can offer some winter protection. You can also direct the runners to ensure they make good contact with the soil. For example, if the runners extend over a container or raised bed, you can guide the nodes to a soil-filled pot, securing the runner to the soil. This will allow it to root, and it can later be cut from the parent plant.

Nurture Your Strawberry Plants

When your strawberry runners emerge in the spring, treat them like you would newly purchased strawberry plants from a garden center. Strawberries can be somewhat particular about their water needs, requiring a careful balance of sunlight, nutrients, and moisture to yield the best fruit. There are several tips to ensure your strawberries thrive.

Gather Your Strawberries

Your strawberries should develop normally and yield their initial crop of berries in June, depending on the variety. Younger runner plants may take a year or two before they start producing a significant amount of fruit. Stay patient, continue to introduce new plants, and your strawberry patch will ultimately provide a bountiful harvest of berries each year.

How should I handle strawberry runners?

You have the option to remove the runners and discard them if you prefer to prevent your strawberries from spreading. Alternatively, you can allow the runners to remain, promoting their growth and the establishment of additional plants. Lastly, you can detach the runners and replant them in a different location.

Can you remove an excessive number of strawberry runners?

It’s perfectly fine to trim a significant number of strawberry runners, and even removing all of them is acceptable. Just be cautious to ensure that you are only cutting the runners, as it’s easy to mistakenly prune parts of the main plant while you are at it.

How long does it take for strawberry runners to establish roots after being planted?

It may take a few weeks, and potentially as long as a month, for newly planted strawberry runners to establish themselves properly.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing strawberry runners?

Maintaining the connection of strawberry runners can lead to a higher yield of strawberries, eliminating the need to buy additional plants. On the flip side, these runners tend to grow in their own natural direction, which can result in a disorganized strawberry patch that may not align with your desired layout.