I've got a strawberry plant in a hanging basket that's still producing a lot of delicious fruit, but it also has plenty of spent runners that I want to transplant soon. I'm looking for creative ways to plant these runners in new pots without sacrificing the fruit that's still developing. Ideally, I don't want to place the basket on the ground or a table because the birds will feast on the strawberries. Also, how long can I leave the runners before planting to make sure they'll establish well for next year? Any tips? Cheers from the East Midlands, UK!
3 Answers
From what I've experienced, you can wait until the end of the fruiting season to plant the runners. They might wither a bit in the winter but they'll start growing again come spring, and you should see some summer fruit from them!
I've found that using hairpins can work wonders for pinning the runners down into the soil. If you're feeling adventurous, you could try making little plastic pouches filled with compost to root the runners in, instead of directly planting them.
OMG! How did I never think of hairpins? Pinning down those runners has been a struggle for me!
Another option is to make little pouches using a soil-filled bag and secure it with an elastic band. It’s a neat way to keep the runners safe while you’re waiting to plant them!
I actually make my own pins from coated garden wire! Just cut the wire to length and bend it into a U shape. Pin the runners into the soil in your hanging basket and let them root before cutting them off the parent plant.