| I would like to transplant some strawberry plants from a garden spot to some large containers. What kind of soil should I buy? Also, I know that it is possible to keep the same strawberry plants (or their offspring) for years if they are groomed correctly. How do I do this? |
| Strawberries are equally happy in the ground and in containers so moving them should not cause a problem. Use potting soil in your containers. A strawberry jar is best for planting - you'll want some soil space so the runners can root and develop into new plants. After replanting, allow your plants to develop runners and peg them down into the soil so they will be sure to root. At the end of the growing season cut the stems that attach the runners to the parent plants. Your new strawberry plants will grow larger next year - pull or cut off any flowers before they set fruit to redirect the plant's energy into growing a larger root system and crown. The following year you can begin harvesting the berries and you can continue to harvest for 2-3 years. At the end of the third year remove the parent plants. They will slow or stop production by the third year but you'll have one and two year old offsets from the parents so you'll still have strawberries to harvest. Continue to allow the runners from these plants to root and continue removing 3 year old plants. This way you'll be renewing your strawberry plants on a continual basis. Enjoy your harvest! |
