How to Grow More Strawberry Plants: Harness the Magic of Strawberry Runners

Strawberries are everyone's dream. I don't think I know ANYONE who doesn't enjoy a good home grown strawberry. But do you know the absolute coolest thing about growing your own? Once you plant a strawberry plant, you might never need to buy another plant again! That's right! Strawberries have a fantastic way of multiplying themselves, thanks to something called "runners." Let’s dig into how this works and how you can turn one strawberry plant into so many, many more.

The Perennial Power of Strawberries

First, a little background on strawberries. Strawberries are perennials, meaning they come back year after year. Unlike annual plants, which complete their life cycle in a single growing season, perennials like strawberries keep growing and producing fruit for several seasons. This makes them an excellent investment for your garden because with a little care (to be honest, very littlew in fact), they’ll keep giving back season after season.

What Are Strawberry Runners?

Now, onto the magic part - runners. These are long, thin stems that shoot out from the main strawberry plant. At the tip of each runner, a new baby plant, also known as a daughter plant, starts to form. This little plant has the potential to become a full-grown strawberry plant all on its own.

Here’s the fun part: once these runners touch the soil, the baby plants begin to set down roots. With time and a bit of patience, they establish themselves, and BOOM - you’ve got a new strawberry plant ready to go!

Trimming and Planting Your New Strawberry Babies

So how do you take advantage of these runners? It’s simple! Once you see that the baby plants have started rooting in the soil, you can trim the runner connecting them to the main plant. This process not only gives the baby plant a better chance of growing strong and independent, but it also helps the parent plant conserve energy, ensuring it stays healthy and productive.

1. Wait for Roots: Let the runner touch the soil and give the baby plant time to set roots. This usually takes a couple of weeks.

2. Snip the Runner: Once the roots are established, use a clean pair of garden shears to snip the runner. You now have a fully independent strawberry plant!

3. Replant If Needed: If your new plant isn’t in the best spot, simply dig it up and transplant it to a better location. Make sure it has plenty of sun and well-draining soil.

A Lifetime of Strawberries

One of the best things about strawberry plants is that they just keep giving. As your original plant continues to grow, it will send out more runners, leading to even more baby plants. With this self-replicating system, you’ll never need to buy another strawberry plant again.

Imagine - years of sweet, homegrown strawberries, all from a single plant! That’s the beauty of growing your own strawberries. It’s a cycle of life that keeps on giving, and with a little attention and care, your strawberry patch can grow and expand year after year, providing an endless supply of berries.

So, whether you’re a beginner gardener or a seasoned pro, harness the power of strawberry runners to expand your garden and enjoy the fruits of your labour for many seasons to come!

Ready for your friends and family to have strawberry envy? Your garden (and taste buds) will thank you.