To save strawberry runners for next year, all you need to do is carefully dig up the already-rooted runner plants and place them in cheap plastic pots. Avoid extreme temperatures and keep the plants in a dormant state until next year.
Late September to early October is the best time to dig up young strawberry plants that have formed from runners. Strawberries are a delicious and healthy treat, and gardening enthusiasts who grow their own strawberries know that garden-fresh strawberries taste much better than store-bought ones.
Strawberry runners are an easy way to propagate new plants and get a head start on next year’s crop. Saving strawberry runners for next year is a breeze when following a few simple steps. We will discuss how to save strawberry runners for next year and answer some frequently asked questions regarding growing, leaving or waiting, and handling strawberry runners. Keep reading to learn how to save and reuse strawberry runners for a more abundant and fruitful garden next year.

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Understanding Strawberry Runners
Strawberry runners are long shoots that grow out from the main plant and develop into new plants, making them an essential tool for propagating strawberries. These runners can be reproduced in two different types of strawberry plants: June bearing and ever bearing. June bearing strawberries produce runners in June which will blossom into plants the following year, while ever bearing strawberries produce runners intermittently throughout the growing season. There are a few options for reproducing these runners, such as rooting them into soil or water, as well as leaving them attached to the mother plant and lowering them into soil until they develop roots. Once rooted, new plants should be separated and placed into individual pots or planted in an outside garden bed.
Importance Of Saving Strawberry Runners
Saving strawberry runners is important for growing healthy strawberry plants the next year. To save runners, dig up already-rooted plants and place them in plastic pots. Store pots in a cool, dark area until planting in the spring.
Saving strawberry runners is crucial for the successful cultivation of this perennial fruit. Strawberries, as perennials, come back year after year, and saving their runners is an efficient way to multiply your plants. If you don’t remove the runners, the plant will put all its energy into producing more runners, which will result in a smaller crop of strawberries. Leaving runners can also lead to the overcrowding of the mother plant, which can cause the plants to be less productive. Removing and saving runners is essential for reducing strawberry runner losses and enabling the mother plant to focus on producing more fruits. By saving runners, you can replant them in the next growing season and increase your strawberry yield without buying new plants. Additionally, timely removal of runners can prevent strawberries from becoming invasive in your garden.Methods For Saving Strawberry Runners
Learn how to save your strawberry runners for next year with these helpful tips! From digging up rooted runners and planting them in pots to removing extra runners and mulching, there are several methods you can use to ensure a flourishing strawberry patch year after year.
Method: | Description: |
Saving the mother plant | Keep the mother plant in its place, removing all the weeds, keeping the soil moist, and fertilizing it regularly with an all-purpose fertilizer according to directions. |
Strawberry runner removal | Look for the baby plants connected to the mother plant by a thin stem or runner. Once the runners develop sets of leaves or develop roots, cut them off gently with a sterilized pair of scissors or pruning shears. |
Rooting runners | Prepare a potting mix of garden soil, compost and sand. Plant the runners in this potting mix, providing them with enough water and sunlight. In a few weeks, they will develop roots and can be transplanted to their permanent locations. |
Mulching | Mulch the strawberry plant with hay, straw, or leaves, up to a depth of two to three inches. This will help in moisture retention, weed suppression and even out soil temperature. |

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When And How To Cut Off Strawberry Runners
To save your strawberry runners for next year, dig up the already-rooted runner plants you want to keep and put them in cheap plastic pots. Keep them somewhere out of extreme cold or heat, and follow proper care guidelines to best nurture them and produce more berries the following spring.
To save strawberry runners for next year, start by cutting off the runners once they are long enough to move. The best time to dig up young strawberry plants that have formed from runners is in the fall, which gives them enough time to re-establish and produce berries the following spring. Dig up the plants and put them in cheap plastic pots, keeping them somewhere not too warm or cold. To reuse the runners, pick out the strongest ones and pin them to the soil in a new location. In a few weeks, they will have formed roots and can be cut from the mother plant. Alternatively, you can root the runners before transplanting them to a new location. Remember, it’s important to keep strawberry plants in their dormant state while they are being stored for winter.Winterizing Strawberry Runners
To save your strawberry runners for next year, carefully dig up the already-rooted plants you want to keep, dirt and all, and put them into cheap plastic pots. Store the pots where they won’t get too warm or too cold and keep the plants in their dormant state until the following spring.
Winterizing your strawberry runners is crucial to ensure healthy plants for the next season. It helps protect the plants from harsh freezing temperatures. To winterize your strawberry runners, you need to cut off the runners and remove all the dead leaves and stems. Mulching the plants with straw or leaves is also essential in keeping them healthy. It helps insulate the plants from cold weather and retain moisture in the soil. To store bare-root strawberry plants through winter, you can keep them in a cool and dry place like a refrigerator or root cellar. This method should keep the roots hydrated until the spring, where you can plant them as usual to have healthy plants. Remember to winterize your strawberry runners for the next season as it helps your plants to survive through the cold and frosty winter months.
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Frequently Asked Questions Of How To Save Strawberry Runners For Next Year?
How Do You Winterize Strawberry Runners?
To winterize strawberry runners, dig up already-rooted runner plants and put them in plastic pots in a location with a moderate temperature. Keep them in their dormant state to avoid extreme freezing. It’s best to do this in the fall, around late September to early October.
How Do You Save A Strawberry Runner?
To save a strawberry runner, dig up the already-rooted plants you want to keep, dirt and all, and put them into cheap plastic pots. Keep the pots in a place that is neither too warm nor too cold, to prevent extreme freezing and keep the plants in a dormant state.
When Should You Cut Off Strawberry Runners?
The best time to cut off strawberry runners is in the fall, from late September to early October. This gives the young plants enough time to establish themselves and produce berries the following spring. To save runners, dig up already-rooted ones and transplant them into plastic pots, keeping them in a dormant state and avoiding extreme temperatures.
How Do You Reuse Strawberry Runners?
To reuse strawberry runners, carefully dig up the young plants in the fall and transfer them to plastic pots. Keep the pots in a temperature-controlled area to maintain the dormant state. You can also cut runners from the plant and keep them in water until ready to plant.
Avoid letting the roots dry out.
Conclusion
Saving strawberry runners for next year can be an easy and rewarding task. By following the few simple steps outlined you can ensure that your strawberry plants will continue to produce year after year. Whether you choose to use runners as a means of propagation or simply want to save the mother plant, these helpful tips will guide you in successfully storing your strawberry runners and preparing them for next year’s growing season.
With a bit of effort and patience, you can enjoy a healthy, productive strawberry patch for many seasons to come.

I am a graduate of Bangladesh Agricultural University, where I delved into various agricultural disciplines, equipping me with a profound understanding of agriculture. Beyond academics, I have hands-on experience in gardening and crop cultivation. My passion is to embrace sustainable farming and horticulture. With a BSc in Agriculture, I am dedicated to promoting environmentally conscious and efficient agrarian practices.
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Agriculture (Hons.)
Master of Science. (Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security ) (MS)
Bangladesh Agricultural University