Growing strawberries at home offers the reward of fresh, flavorful fruit, and selecting the right starting material is the first step toward a successful harvest. Strawberry plugs provide a distinct advantage over starting from seeds or using traditional bare-root plants. This method allows for quicker establishment and a higher likelihood of survival, setting the stage for a productive patch sooner.
What Exactly Are Strawberry Plugs
A strawberry plug is a young plant started from a runner tip that has been rooted in a small cell or tray filled with growing media. Unlike dormant, soil-less bare-root plants, the plug arrives actively growing with an intact root ball. This contained root system minimizes transplant shock when the plant is moved into the garden soil.
Because the roots remain undisturbed, plugs generally establish themselves much faster than bare-root stock, which must first regrow its root structure. This rapid establishment leads to an average loss rate of only 1 to 2% for plugs, compared to a higher rate for bare-root plants. For the home gardener, this means a reliable start and often a yield of berries in the first year of planting, especially when utilizing a fall planting schedule.
Where to Find and Purchase Plugs
The search for quality strawberry plugs will lead to three main purchasing avenues. Online specialty growers and nurseries are often the best source for a wide variety selection and guaranteed plant health. These professional operations specialize in propagation and provide certified, disease-free stock, though the convenience comes with added shipping costs and the risk of transit damage.
Local garden centers and nurseries offer the advantage of immediate inspection and local convenience. A gardener can visually check the health of the plants, looking for robust, white roots and the absence of yellowing leaves or signs of pests. However, the selection is typically limited to a few popular varieties and is only available seasonally.
Mail-order catalogs from large national suppliers provide another option, especially for bulk orders or specific, hard-to-find varieties. When plugs are shipped, they may need a short period of acclimation upon arrival, but the convenience of having them delivered to your door often outweighs this minor step. Confirming the seller’s reputation for plant quality is a practical step before placing an order.
Choosing the Best Variety and Planting Time
Before making a purchase, decide which type of strawberry best suits your harvesting goals. Varieties are classified into three types based on their fruiting habits: June-bearing, Everbearing, and Day-neutral. June-bearing strawberries are the most common, producing a single, large crop over a two- to three-week period, which is ideal for canning or freezing.
The Everbearing and Day-neutral types are better suited for continuous fresh eating throughout the season. Everbearing plants produce two smaller harvests: one in the late spring and a second in the late summer or early fall. Day-neutral varieties can flower and set fruit continuously from spring until the first hard frost, though production may slow during the hottest summer months.
The optimal time to plant strawberry plugs is typically in the late summer or early fall. This allows the plant to establish a strong root system before winter dormancy. Planting during this window ensures the plants are mature enough to produce a good yield the following spring, avoiding the second-year wait common with spring-planted bare-root stock. Ordering should be done well in advance, often by early to mid-June, to secure desired varieties from commercial nurseries.
Establishing Your Strawberry Plugs
Successful establishment begins with proper soil preparation. Work about 1.5 to 2 pounds of a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, into every 100 square feet of planting bed before setting the plugs. Strawberries thrive in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Incorporating organic matter like compost or peat moss can improve soil structure, and planting on a raised bed is recommended if your soil is heavy or poorly draining.
When setting the plugs into the prepared bed, planting depth must be carefully controlled. The crown, which is the central growing point of the plant, should be positioned exactly level with the soil surface. Planting too deeply can cause the crown to rot, while planting too shallowly can expose the roots to drying out.
After planting, a thorough watering is necessary to settle the soil around the root ball and eliminate air pockets. Unlike bare-root plants, plugs do not require continuous overhead watering for days; a single, deep watering is often sufficient to start establishment. Maintaining consistent moisture and keeping the area weed-free will support the plant as it develops a robust root system before cold weather.