Strawberry plants are often sold as bare-root crowns, which are dormant plants harvested and shipped without soil. Upon receipt, the gardener must act quickly. The primary objective is to prevent the roots from drying out and to maintain the plant’s state of dormancy until the soil is ready for planting. If immediate planting is not possible, proper temporary storage is necessary to ensure the crowns remain viable.
Preparing Bare-Root Crowns for Storage
The first step after receiving the strawberry crowns is a thorough inspection. Look for signs of mold, mildew, or a foul odor, which indicate rot. A healthy bare-root crown should feel firm, and the roots should appear fibrous, even if they look shriveled or dry from shipping.
If the roots feel dry, they require immediate rehydration before storage. Soak only the roots in cool water for 20 to 30 minutes, being careful not to submerge the crown itself, as this encourages rot. This soaking allows the plant tissues to draw in moisture.
After hydrating, examine the roots for excessive length or damage. Trim any overly long roots to about six inches, which makes planting easier and encourages new growth. Also, trim away any dead or damaged foliage to minimize the risk of fungal issues during storage.
Methods for Short-Term Delay (Less Than 7 Days)
For a planting delay of less than one week, use a cool, dark, and humid environment. The goal is to keep the temperature consistently low, ideally between 32°F and 40°F, to prevent the crowns from prematurely breaking dormancy. A refrigerator, cold basement, or root cellar are suitable locations for this short-term holding period.
To protect the roots from drying, wrap them in a slightly damp medium. Materials like peat moss, shredded newspaper, or sphagnum moss maintain moisture without becoming saturated. The medium should feel moist but not wet enough to drip, as excess moisture causes mold development.
Place the wrapped roots into a breathable or perforated plastic bag or container. Sealing the plants in an airtight container leads to poor air circulation, encouraging mold and rot. Check the roots regularly to ensure the packing material remains slightly damp.
Heeling In: Long-Term Storage Solution
When planting must be delayed for several weeks or even months, a process known as “heeling in” provides a more sustainable storage solution. Heeling in involves burying the crowns temporarily in a medium to protect the roots until conditions are right for permanent planting. This method is especially useful if the ground is frozen or if inclement weather prevents immediate planting.
You can heel in the plants directly into the ground outside or into a large container indoors, such as a wheelbarrow or deep pot, if the soil is frozen. For outdoor heeling, select a sheltered, shaded spot that will not become waterlogged. Dig a trench large enough to accommodate the roots, ensuring one side slopes at about a 45-degree angle.
Lay the strawberry crowns into the trench, spreading the roots out along the base and angling the main body of the plant against the slope. Cover the roots and the crown completely with loose garden soil, sand, or a mixture of peat and sawdust, leaving only the leaves, if present, exposed to the air. Gently firm the material around the roots to eliminate air pockets.
Keep the temporary planting medium consistently moist but not saturated to prevent the roots from rotting. For indoor heeling, store the container in a cool place, such as an unheated garage or basement, to keep the plants dormant. Plants can remain heeled in for several weeks, or until early spring, provided they are monitored for moisture and kept cool.