How to Grow Strawberries from Runners. Free plants = more fruit.

Propagating strawberry plants is really easy. Once they stop producing fruit they throw all their energy into "Runner" production & it is a great time to extend your patch, take some off for friends & family. They are one plant that once you buy you will have them for life & they make great gifts for friends & family.
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Have a great one everyone.

[@jasonthephoneboy]

You have inspired me. Here in Florida (US) people who grow strawberries say growing strawberries is hard. I find that growing plants in raised grow beds is the way to go. I am starting a garden finally, and it will be more manageable and cheaper to have raised beds. I will grow larger crops like corn, sugar cane, and sorghum, out in the field. I have started a worm bed, and a compost for table scraps, and next week I will cut some 55 gal barrels to make grow beds. Your videos are a great help.

[@sandgroperwookiee65]

Nice to know, I've been doing exactly the same thing. I'm 55 now and just started gardening😯 Have got about a dozen plants on the go that I did from seed..Temptation variety. Supposed to be Runner free, but they are throwing out a few which is nice👍 The other was a Montana seedling I bought which has gone absolutely crazy with flowers and fruit everywhere and heaps of runners which I've been giving away also.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice one mate. 👍 I got rid of a lot of ours as the bush rats kept flogging the fruits. It's been a few years now so might toss a few in the new beds. Happy growing. 🍓🍓

[@sandgroperwookiee65]

@@RobsAquaponics just the three chooks I gotta keep away here mate😀👍

[@jasonbarnett6391]

Awesome video BTW I did this to my mother-in-laws strawberries earlier today. Can't wait til I have some of her strawberries in my garden :)

[@mediamaker2000]

I had a 4x6 bed and put a pot with a strawberry plant on it last year. A runner came off and started growing in the bed. Now a good part of the end of the bed is covered. I have the potted strawberry inside chilling over the winter for new growth next year.

[@paulineannebrady364]

I was recently given some strawberry plants from runners and will replant them in a strawberry bed in spring. They are getting nice and big and healthy and I have replanted them into bigger pots. There are lots of new runners which are being guided into new little pots, as you showed in your very interesting video, but I had not thought of making wire clips to hold them down. Thanks for your information and ideas. I am really looking forward to having my own strawberrries.

[@RobsAquaponics]

+Pauline Anne Brady Hi Pauline. Glad the clip helped you out a bit. I have a few that need to be planted out here. Just need to feed the bed up with some compost first tough I think . Cheers & hope they grow loads of sweet fruit for you. Rob.

[@honeybacres]

This is such an easy way to propagate strawberries and you will get true to type so I cant think why more people dont do this.

[@RobsAquaponics]

All our gardens are Wicking beds beds/barrels so we can try & reduce the amount of water we use.. They have a 4" layer of sand/gravel over a slotted water delivery/storage pipe & this forms a water reservoir.. Soil is then added on top as a growing medium to a depth of about 30cm/1'.. I like your idea of making a "lasagne" style barrel.. I plan on doing that with with some of the new beds out the front when we build them later on in the year.. Hope that helps some Rob

[@joeNbritt]

Paperclips work well too. I am totally doing this! Thanks for the idea!!

[@GardeningWithPuppies]

Thanks for the information. Now I can give some strawberry plants to my daughter.

[@RobsAquaponics]

+jonathan cousins All or plants have started to produce straight away fairly much as they were grown from runners... Takes a lot longer if grown from seed so I've read.. We normally get a few flushes a year as well which is great.. Cheers mate.. 

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi there.. When plants finish fruiting they spend most of their energy just throwing out runners.. Some people like to pull all the fruit & runners off for the first season so the plant can get stronger to produce more the next.. I have also been told that if you keep pulling the runners off they throw their energy back into fruit production.. We tried that & didn't find it worked for the variety we grow though.. Hope that helps some..

[@RobsAquaponics]

We have been adding a few coffee grounds to ours this season as they like slightly acidic soils.. Most people will tell you that if you keep taking the runners off that will help.. Fruiting plants also like a little bit extra potassium.. My mum said to use banana skins as mulch as that's what her parents did.. Hope tat helps a little.. Hope to get to do an update clip this week some time :) Thanks & have a great one :)

[@Storm-fu9et]

So satisfying to see updated grown of plant video, though it takes time but worth for the video uploader if they want praise from enthusiast of plant, its incomplete without the updated grown video! Salute to you,!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks. Happy growing.

[@joshuamoore24_7]

This runner stem planting works, I have a Strawberry plant that I buried a stem of a runner on and it grew another plant. I guess planting the seeds it has to be done in peat moss with a hydroponic or near hydroponic system of being water with purified, distilled, or precipitation water.

[@RobsAquaponics]

I tried with seeds but never had any luck Joshua. Got them to set the first tiny leaves then one warm day wipped them all out. 😕 Propagation by runners is much faster. Happy growing mate.

[@goldeneagle8834]

thank you so much for this video, it is exactly what I was looking for. I have a strawberry plant that has 2 runners and I couldn't find how exactly to root them in pots. Then I found your video. it showed me step by step how to do it. this is only the 2nd year I've done any gardening. Thank you again.

[@lutfakhatun6675]

learnt something new, did not know how to propogate strbry will do that now rather than buying new plants thanks for the vid

[@larrywalters6195]

You know what works better than wire holds down! Plastic forth can be used over and over.

[@RobsAquaponics]

I use neem a lot as a spray & water it in as a systemic insecticide... Works great I find but like most things washes or just wears off over time.. Cheers..

[@BunnaySango]

Oh I can't wait until my strawberry starts "running" so I can make more plants.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Is the cheapest & easiest way to get more ;-) Hope you get loads, Rob.

[@RobsAquaponics]

I use a Cannon PowerShot SX30IS.. It's a few years old now & still going strong.. There are a few cheaper options inn that range now as well.. The editing software is called VideoPad Video editor by NCH Software.. There is a free version that we used for a while then upgraded.. Don't think we really needed to but it's done & paid for now..Hope that helps.. Have a great one sir :)

[@kiaranjay]

I really like your raised bed, I've never seen someone use metal sheets for borders but it seems like a really good idea, I've been using wood forever and it just rots after a couple of years so I'm gonna give that a go!

[@media333]

Thanks for your answer ... speedy reply!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Most welcome 😊

[@RobsAquaponics]

Ha ha.... Off topic is always good :) They are off cuts & old bits of tin roof a mate grabbed from job sites.. We use 200um builders plastic as the liner is just too expensive.. The corners are bits of angle from old bed frames that have been tossed.. Hope that helps some..

[@RobsAquaponics]

We have one batch of white strawberries to plant... If they don't work out I think I will stick with runners.. Have a good one Jim..

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad it could help.. We have a few sending out runners in the ap as well.. Not sure if I want to keep them in there or not yet.. Have a great one..

[@ttitanic121]

I normally turn the runners back to the mother even if they're established. That way U can avoid encroachment. There was a patch here,must of been many years ago, that keeps coming up through the lawn year after year with tiny strawbs. even after cutting.Great gift for one who has lots of space.

[@MrHeliand]

Great video !!! Mine are sending out runners now so soon I will have a bunch of babies, thank you so much.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi there... Hop you got to start of a load of fresh plants :) Cheers, Rob..

[@RobsAquaponics]

I will be potting up one more batch then the rest will be pegged into the bed.. I think we could triple the amount of plants in there with out overcrowding too much.. Have a good one Adubb

[@JimTcarver]

Thanks Rob, I am giving seeds another chance. Most that I plant are runnerless. We shall see how long they stay under the light before I can transplant them.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad you did Brock.. Hope your staying warm & dry up there...

[@AdzeysGarden]

Thanks a bunch! It really is amazing that you take the time to reply to everyone's questions, thanks! I'm nearly fed up with iMovie. The 06 version was great, after that.....no happy at all!

[@Steve-kg8zk]

Just so you know you can cut those off with the little node bumps on the bottom and can put them in water and they will root without stealing the mother plants energy and you still get the runner, then pot them when they produce roots. It's much easier. Not many people know that.

[@rickschulte8594]

Wow Rob, you made the propagating of strawberries understandable for me, thank you so much, i enjoy watching you. Sincerely Rickie

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Rick.. Glad you like the clip & hope you get a crack at propagating your own :) Cheers, Rob..

[@beachedwalrusau]

I agree, i watched a few videos before this and still was confused, this video cleared things up! Good work!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers for the feed back Beached Walrus.. Glad to know the clip helped.. All the best & have a great weekend, Rob :)

[@RobsAquaponics]

I just like to keep the soil moist so it gives the new roots access to water... Glad it helped you out.. Have a good one :)

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad they are helpful :) Have a great one :)

[@lynnetaylor6819]

I love your vids Rob. You give so much info and its never boring, you get to the point, give heaps of info in an understandable way and you never dribble on with a whole heap of crap...Thanks for your time and effort m8

[@RobsAquaponics]

Lynne Taylor Thanks for that Lynne & am glad you like the clips. Cheers & have a great one.

[@lynnetaylor6819]

Your welcome Rob...and keep up the awesome vids and have a great one too m8 :D

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad the clips have been of some help Jason.. Need to get out there & save some runners for ourself now.. Decided to plant other bits in that bed this winter so will be planting up 2 or 3 strawberry barrels instead.. Have a great one ..

[@joshuamoore24_7]

This winter I am going to collect some snow and melt it to water the plants with.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Great idea Joshua. 👍👍

[@paws4mercy643]

Cool ! I can never have too many berries. I'm heading out to my garden now. Thanks !!

[@RobsAquaponics]

+Paws4Mercy How very true :) Have a few plants ready to go in here to start of a new strawberry patch. Cheers & all the best.

[@elliottspence7929]

Thanks for the post. Very good information. I am getting my grounds ready to start trying out this no dig method of growing vegetables and fruits.

[@RobsAquaponics]

+Elliott Spence Hi Elliot. Hope the no dig method works well for you mate. I think the most productive soil gardens I've seen are all based around the no dig method in some way. Cheers.

[@RobsAquaponics]

They all grew well & took.. One sent further runners down that have taken root in the pavers... Have a few growing from there now :D Some of the runners that were growing from the aquaponics had up to 3 sets coming from them... Not sure how they went though as I have given them all away..

[@Susssssy932]

Thanks mate! An awesome tutorial for an amateur like me 😂

[@RobsAquaponics]

+Ronnie-Jordan Marsden Glad it was useful Ronnie 👍 Hope they grow well for you. Cheers, Rob.

[@RobsAquaponics]

This is by far the best way to grow these guys I think.. Have a good one :)

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad it was helpful for you Jason & hope they grow large & sweet for you... Cheers..

[@RobsAquaponics]

We also have a HUGE problem with termites here... Our first beds were timber & some were eaten out in a matter of months.. Didn't want to use treated timber as borders either so tin was the best way to go I think.. Have a good one..

[@jono90hd]

great video and great timing, I was just thinking about how I could get runner from my strawberry plant into my aquaponics, and now I have it. Your videos are much appreciated.

[@RobsAquaponics]

We have tried that method before yeas ago when we were gardening in pots & found we lost a few of the plants... From then on we just left the runners attached.. Might be a variety thing as well as I have noticed that certain varieties are a bit more temperamental to grow here than others here in the subtropics.. Then again, It might just be us ;) Have a great one..

[@gregm.6945]

excellent video, thanks !....now to go do my strawberries :-)

[@mhpgardener]

That was neat. I always thought you cut the runner, then root it. I think this is a much better way to go about getting some new plants. Thanks for the tip Rob.

[@pinkchanklas]

Im a total noob gardener. NOOB! And noticed my one little potted strawberry plant was growing out of its pot. I had no idea it was just trying to make me some more strawberry plants, lol. Today is like christmas.

[@aprilsadventures8749]

Nice video. I will have to give this a try. How exciting!!

[@mediamaker2000]

Around these parts they do especially if we get snow during the coldest times. Good luck with that. I want to try growing pineapple seeds.

[@pinkushaw2329]

Best video

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Pinku. Happy growing. 🌱🍓🍓🌱

[@jdikenz]

oh man! i literally just expanded my strawberry patch right before finding this video. I severed the runners from their mothers before i transplanted them to a neighboring bed. They are in contact with the soil but i am uneasy about having severed them before they took root. I did it with larger runners early in the spring and they turned out fine but i don't know how the smaller ones will do. Anyway, Good tips Rob!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks for watching Luke.. Think we will be getting another lot ready to give away when this rain stops..

[@RobsAquaponics]

Small ones can take a little bit longer to root when cut but still will I have found so yours should be good.. Leaving them connected just that little bit longer gives them a bit of a head start.. Cheers & all the best for next seasons crop.. Rob

[@MalcolmCampbell]

I see this technique used a lot on TV & KZbin. It probably gives the plants an extra boost, but I just cut the runners off and stick them deep in the soil. Maybe try planting one of those extra runners next time to see if it works, they be tough plants.

[@Thecheesefries]

really cool! This is a great video! Right now, i'm growing avocado, lemons, pumpkins, peppers, grapefruit, plum, and tangerines inside and in Oregon!

[@bonsiatreesseedsandplantsf4812]

Great video thanks for showing am just trying strawberrys from bought seeds will let u know how it goes it my first time growing them

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice one. 👍 Hope they grow well for you. Cheers.

[@RobsAquaponics]

No problem Bobby.. They root very easily & quickly this way.. Have a good one.. :)

[@RobsAquaponics]

We are in SE Queensland in Australia in a sub tropic climate so just a bit warmer than Georgia I think.. If the runners you cut have a few roots forming on them they will probably take.. I have friends that propagate them that way & they have fairly good results.. Not sure on your weather there but if it does get rather cold it might pay to protect them by covering them or at least placing them in a warm spot in the yard then planting them out in spring.. TBC

[@dianahealy6735]

Thanks rob. I'll give it a try next summer with the straw bale. Not sure about using urine to get the bald ready for planting !

[@RobsAquaponics]

+Diana Healy :-D I know what you mean, I just used compost ;-) Have a great one.

[@niroshanifernando9521]

nice advice I'm from Sri Lanka . I have mother plant and I maked the extra plants about runners. thank you for your advice

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope you get a decent of runners set 👍 Cheers Niroshani 😊

[@ferretsam]

My Strawberry plant (that I've had on my balcony for a year), looks super dead (after not surprisingly having not survived a Swedish Winter on our balcony)!!! But when I was about to throw it out & reuse the pot, have found runnners/shoots, seem to be already rooted, but will let them get bigger to be sure where they're connected, if at all. So excited, looks like at least 6 so far (mid Spring) :) Must have survived because of the bubble wrap on one side of pot, or side against the house, or under the old growth...dunno, but I'm pleased :) Was a hard lesson to learn as an Aussie, now gardening in Swedish climate! Thanks for the video :)

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice save on the Strawberries 👍Have they put on much growth since your comment? Cheers.

[@ferretsam]

They are growing & looking healthy & green, but still small plants. Don't think they'll be any fruit this season. There's no sign of flowers.

[@RobsAquaponics]

There's always next season ;)

[@akoanani]

I did copy your style...and it works..thanks by the way

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers Alex :) Hope they fruit well for you.. Rob :)

[@savethebeeeez]

This is so helpful! Thanks Rob 🍓❤

[@RobsAquaponics]

No problem Sarah. Hope the plants did well for you.

[@RobsAquaponics]

These plants will give a few flushes through the year but I am not 100% sure Dale.. Will try to remember to say something when they fruit again.. Stay warm..

[@RobsAquaponics]

Might take a while for young plants to create a large crown but there should be a small one there where all the leaves emerge from.. It is important not to bury the crown or the plant will probably die off..

[@haynerbass]

It was one of those close out sales at a local hardware store. It was getting toward the end of the plant selling season I guess. Was lucky and snapped it up for two dollars. There were a few othes like it but I though this one would be enough considering it is an everbearing and I had never tried propagating strawberries before. I'll know by this saturday how well the roots take if at all.

[@ajgensel9359]

I know it's been six years since you posted this video but will this work for wild strawberries as well? I've been wanting a good, bird friendly ground cover for my little 4x8 garden bed and a friend has a huge patch of wild strawberry growing in her yard but every transplant video I find only shows a single plant in the ground or already uprooted. You're the first I've found that shows steps and explains things for a beginner, so THANK YOU!

[@RobsAquaponics]

I'm not 100% sure sorry. If they form a "runner" I'd say they would otherwise you would probably need to try growing them from the seeds on the outside of the fruit. Sorry I'm not much help there. Rob.

[@ajgensel9359]

@@RobsAquaponics Advice I found online sounded very similar to what you showed so I am hopeful that it will work for me this spring, thanks for getting back to me either way and for this excellent video.

[@Thecheesefries]

@Rob Bob well, the thing is, it gets to like freezing temperatures out here. Plus, I'm moving out soon, so might as well take them with me!

[@RobsAquaponics]

You do have an extremely impressive berry patch :) Reminds me of my grandparents in Sydney..

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope it comes in handy & you end up with loads of fruit :) Cheers & have a great one.. Rob

[@RobsAquaponics]

Depends where you are Trenton & how they are planted I think.. I have seen a few people in the States leave theirs in the ground under mulch in the snow to have the bounce back in spring.. Think if they were left in pots outside though they might not survive.. Hope that helps some.. Rob

[@haynerbass]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad it was helpful :) Have a good one..

[@RobsAquaponics]

Depends on the variety & weather really.. I find that they fruit in Spring & we get a smaller flush now in Autumn here in the sub tropics.. Only see runners after the Spring/Summer flush though from memory.. There are none on any of the plants at the moment... Not much help there am I sorry but hope it helps a little... Cheers.. Rob

[@lyonskei]

Excellent video - very helpful, thank you!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers Keira.. Have a great one..

[@sittingelf]

I'm really liking your videos! Excellent work and helpful as I'm getting ready to install a large aquaponics system at my house along with some wicking beds....and worms of course! Thank you for making these.

[@RobsAquaponics]

+sittingelf That's great to hear SittingElf. Hope the aquaponics build goes well for you. Cheers. Rob.

[@RobsAquaponics]

& they are even better when home grown Larry **nods** Take it easy :)

[@RobsAquaponics]

If you can over winter them in a warm spot it might pay to do so & plant them out in spring when the ground warms up again.. I know that mature plants can handle snow & extreme cold but have no experience growing in that climate sorry... I think Larry at d0mine11 is in Oregon & grows some mean strawberries so he might be the man to ask.. Hope that helps a bit.. Cheers..

[@amarchadbagan8667]

Khub sundor pilant valo laglo sathe roilam

[@RobsAquaponics]

👍

[@malikameen2384]

Beautiful and lovely friends with cute looking

[@susanreid7076]

Rob, we've had our plant for about 3 years and have always redirect the runners back into our bed. Our plant hasn't produced many strawberries, and now I know why. It is now May of 2014 and our plants are flowering, should we just let them grow or start propagating the offspring to get more berries? Sorry, but we are REALLY new at this!! Thanks for all your videos!!!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Susan :) If you're after the fruit it would be a good idea to trim the runners back a bit.. Ours normally have a second flush coming into autumn so if yours do the same you could let the runners that form then root into the bed to give you more plants.. Hope that helps some, Rob :)

[@meanshoes]

Excellent video Rob! thoroughly enjoyed it! Brock

[@andjonnie]

dude lovin your videos !! keep up the great work

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi there Lucy.. Whereabouts are you on the globe? It would probably be best to transplant them just after they finish fruiting & start to send out runners.. This should give them time to settle in before winter if your in the northern hemisphere..

[@kylecoulson9]

Coffee grounds... il try that thanks

[@haynerbass]

In the end this plant has 21 nodes on it. Looks like I've wired up an organic time bomb on my patio.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers Andie :)

[@Gardeninggirl1107]

Great tips :) I love never having to purchase plants again.

[@9i46jake]

A vert good video thanks 2 Questions for you I found Vine weevil in my strewberrys thy were in my guttering for my strewberrys what is the best way to get rid of them and all so have you made a video on haversting worm castings and the Quickest way to dry your castings Cheers Dave

[@RobsAquaponics]

+dave snoops Hi Dave. They are one pest I haven't had to deal with so had to do a bit of a search. If you just have the weevils manual removal coupled with a neem spray might be the way to go. If you have a load of the weevil grub in the soil it looks like manual removal (a compost sieve would come in handy here) as well as biological controls like beneficial nematodes might be your only option. Found this page that might help you some. www.livingwithbugs.com/root_wev.html As for harvesting worms from castings, it sort of depends on the style of worm farm you have. I find using the migration method to harvest our worm castings to be the easiest way to go about it. I move the feeding to one end of the bathtub worm farm then about 2 weeks later I harvest the castings from the other end (including worms & cocoons) to use that on the garden. Giving them 2 weeks lets the bulk of the worms move into their new bedding & find the new feeding spot. Let me know what sort of farm you have & I might be able to offer you a few suggestions. Hope all that helped you out some Dave & have a great week mate.

[@marklowe7431]

Thanks rob excellent info

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers Mark..

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks.. :)

[@RobsAquaponics]

Do you find the plants outside survive ok over winter ?? Runners are the easiest way to grow them I think... Am giving seeds one last shot Dale the never again :D

[@ClickinChicken]

it's like being an electrician!

[@RobsAquaponics]

:D They can look a bit freaky.. Is good that you git so many runners from it..

[@avidfan5542]

Helpful tips!! Thanks 😃

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad the clip gave you some ideas.. Cheers & have a great one.. Rob..

[@janinerichards9991]

I love growing strawberries cheaper and a lot more tastier just inquiring about watering then ??mine are all organic it's always good getting a whole ice cream container full 👍

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Janine. I like to make sure that the soil under the mulch is moist but not wet. I've found they do really well in the self watering containers we make. Cheers.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope they grow well for you after the move.. Will it be to a warmer area ??