Yes, strawberries can be replanted and moved, allowing gardeners to maintain a productive patch indefinitely without buying new plants. This process involves two primary methods: renovating an existing bed by moving mature plants, or propagating new, young plants from the runners that mother plants naturally produce. Both techniques refresh the planting area and ensure a continuous supply of fruit, requiring attention to timing and proper technique for successful establishment.
The Necessity and Timing of Relocation
Strawberry beds typically experience a decline in productivity after three to five years, necessitating relocation. Over time, the soil becomes depleted of nutrients, and the plants become overcrowded with accumulated runners and older crowns. This dense growth increases disease pressure and leads to smaller fruit yields, making renovation necessary to restore vigor.
The optimal time for replanting is either late summer to early fall or very early spring before new growth begins. Late summer is generally preferred because cooler temperatures and increased moisture allow plants to focus energy on developing a robust root system before winter dormancy, maximizing fruit production the following spring. Transplanting in the summer should be avoided as the heat causes significant stress.
Propagating New Plants from Runners
Using runners is the most common and effective way to propagate strawberries, creating fresh, genetically identical young plants that are highly productive. Runners are specialized stolons—horizontal stems—that the parent plant sends out, developing nodes into new plantlets. These young plants lack the woody, aged crown structure of older plants and are far more vigorous.
To propagate, select healthy runner plantlets and encourage them to root into small pots filled with potting mix near the mother plant. Gently pin the runner’s node into the pot’s soil using a bent wire or hairpin to ensure good contact. Once the new plant develops several leaves and a strong set of roots (typically a few weeks), the runner connecting it to the mother plant can be severed. The new, self-sufficient plant is then ready for transplanting.
Moving Established Strawberry Crowns
Moving an established strawberry crown is a method used when relocating a specific variety or completely renovating a bed. The crown is the short, thickened stem where leaves and flower stalks emerge, and it must never be buried beneath the soil. Before digging, amend the new planting site with organic matter to ensure good drainage and nutrient availability.
To minimize transplant shock, dig widely around the plant, aiming for a root ball six to twelve inches in diameter, depending on the plant’s age. Lift the entire root system carefully, avoiding pulling on the foliage or the crown itself. When setting the plant into its new hole, ensure the crown is precisely level with the surrounding soil surface; burying it too deeply causes crown rot, while exposing too much root causes the plant to dry out.
Essential Care After Replanting
Immediate and consistent hydration is the most important factor for the survival of newly replanted strawberries, whether they are crowns or runners. After placement, deep watering is required to settle the soil around the roots and eliminate air pockets. For the first two to three weeks, the soil must be kept consistently moist to support the establishment of the new root system.
If transplanting occurs during a warmer period, temporary shade for a few days helps reduce moisture loss and stress. Apply a light layer of organic mulch, such as straw or pine needles, around the base of the plants to regulate soil temperature and retain moisture. Additionally, pinch off any flower buds that form in the first few weeks; this forces the plant to redirect energy into establishing a strong, deep root system for future harvests.