Cultivating Strawberries via Mail-Order Runner Plants
Let's Get Strawberry Plants Growing
Eager to grow your own delicious strawberries? You've got two options: pot-grown plants and mail-order runners. Let's dive into the dirt and find out how to make the most of each method!
Pot-grown plants, readily available at garden centres and nurseries during summer, are all set to fruit in their first year. But they're more spendy, and less varieties are on offer.
Mail-order runners, the older, cheaper, wiser cousin of the pot-grown plants, are available in spring and autumn. You'll get a bundle of 10-15 plants, with long roots and a small tuft of leaves on top. They're a great option if you're starting a new strawberry patch.
But wait, there's more! Strawberries need a chill to bloom and bear fruit – ideally a fortnight below 7°C. So if you can, order and plant your runners in autumn. If you miss your chance, grab artificially chilled 'cold-stored' runners, available from mid-spring, which will fruit around 60 days post-planting.
Here's Your Strawberry-Growing Game Plan
To succeed in growing strawberries from mail-order runners, follow these steps, gather your materials, and dedicate some time:
Strawberry-Growing Steps
- Scout Out The Perfect Location
- Choose a sunny spot for at least half the day.
- Test soil drainage by digging a hole twice the size of the runner’s roots, filling it with water, and ensuring it drains in under 5 minutes. Amend soil with compost and sand if needed to improve drainage.
- Prep The Runners
- As soon as your runners arrive, unwrap and soak in tepid water for a few minutes before planting. If this isn't possible, store the runners in the fridge for a few days, keeping the roots moist.
- Plant Your Runners
- Plant runners 14 to 18 inches apart, with the crown at soil level. Firm the soil around the roots.
- Care For Your Plants
- Water your strawberries regularly. Remove flowers from summer varieties during their first year to establish roots; perpetuals may bear fruits later in the season.
Growing In Containers (Optional)
- Place gravel or crocks in the container bottom for drainage.
- Fill the pot with compost just below side holes, plant strawberries with foliage through holes, then fill holes with more compost.
- Leave about an inch of space from soil surface to the pot lip to ease watering.
Materials Required
- Mail-order strawberry runners
- Garden compost or well-rotted manure
- Garden rake and trowel
- Mulch (leaves or straw) for winter protection (if in cold climate) (For container growing: terracotta pot with drainage holes, gravel or crocks, quality compost)
Time Estimate
- Rooting of runners takes about 3 weeks.
- Plant establishment and initial growth take around 4-6 weeks.
- Strawberries can generally be planted in spring or in mild climates in fall.
- Fruiting typically begins in the first or second year, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
By following these steps and ensuring proper soil, watering, spacing, and care, you'll be well on your way to growing mouthwatering strawberries right in your backyard! 🍓🌞🌱
Incorporating strawberries into your home-and-garden and lifestyle, growing your own strawberry patch is achievable with mail-order runners. Follow these steps to successfully cultivate strawberries in your garden, starting from scouting the perfect location, prepping the runners, planting, and caring for your plants, or even consider growing in containers.
