What to Do About Strawberry Runners
If you’ve ever grown strawberries, you’ve probably noticed those little offshoots, or “runners,” stretching out from your plants. These runners are like nature’s way of giving you free strawberry plants, but if left unchecked, they can take over your garden! So, what should you do about them? Well, that depends on your goals. Whether you want a big, sprawling strawberry patch or just a few high-producing plants, managing runners the right way can make a huge difference. Let’s break it down on the best tips for strawberry runners!
What Happens If You Leave Strawberry Runners Alone?
If you don’t intervene, strawberry runners will keep spreading and forming new plants wherever they land. This can be great if you want to expand your patch, but it also has some downsides:
- The parent plant will put more energy into making runners instead of producing big, juicy berries.
- The new plants can get overcrowded, leading to smaller berries and potential disease issues.
- Your strawberry bed might start looking a little wild and messy!
Leaving runners alone isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but you should know what you’re getting into!
Best Time to Cut Strawberry Runners
If you’re aiming for bigger berries instead of more plants, you’ll want to trim those runners regularly. The best time to do this is:
- During the growing season (late spring through summer), when runners start forming.
- As soon as you see them, so the plant doesn’t waste energy on them.
- Before they root, because once they settle in, they start drawing nutrients away from the parent plant.
Simply snip them off at the base with clean garden scissors or pruners. Your plants will thank you by producing more fruit!
How to Create a Large Strawberry Patch Using Runners
If your goal is to expand your strawberry bed, runners are your best friends! Here’s how to do it the right way:
- Let the strongest runners root – Pick 2-3 of the healthiest-looking runners per plant and let them settle into the soil.
- Guide them where you want – Place them in a well-spaced arrangement to prevent overcrowding.
- Keep them attached for a few weeks – Once they establish roots, you can snip them from the parent plant.
- Transplant if necessary – If they root in a bad spot, you can dig them up and move them.
Over time, this method can turn a few plants into a full-blown strawberry field!
How to Get Bigger, Healthier Strawberry Plants
On the flip side, if you want fewer but more productive plants, here’s what to do:
- Cut off all runners – This keeps the parent plant focused on producing fruit instead of babies.
- Fertilize properly – Use a balanced fertilizer to ensure the plant has the nutrients it needs.
- Give them space – Crowded plants compete for light and nutrients, so make sure each plant has plenty of room.
- Remove old leaves – Keeping the plant tidy improves airflow and reduces disease risk.
By focusing all the plant’s energy on berry production, you’ll get bigger and sweeter strawberries!
My Final Thoughts
Strawberry runners aren’t bad; they just need a little guidance! Whether you let them spread to build a big patch or trim them for higher fruit yields, knowing how to manage runners will help you get the best results. Implementing these tips on strawberry runners will get you success no matter which direction you go! So, grab those garden scissors and make a plan—your strawberries (and taste buds) will thank you! I always do a little bit of both, I keep my biggest plants focusing on fruit and let the smaller ones create more plants for my garden.
