My one tip for BIG Strawberries!

[@cindys.w.8566]

30 yrs ago I bought 2-6 pks of strawberries before the internet was in every house hold. Via an article in a gardening book I learned to plant the 1 yr old mother plant and to not allow the fruit to set but to snip off the blooms. Use a bright piece of yard or those piled up bread twist ties select the bright yellow or orange ones and place them around the base of each mother. Allow the runners to grow, root and mature. Depending on where you live 6 to 8 weeks before nightly temps are 32* transplant those runner babies on the other end of the strawberry bed(s). The next year allow the mother plants to set fruit but remove all runners as soon as you see them. Then the following years those original mother plants will produce huge berries, just keep removing the runners. Now you have those babies on the other end of the patch. Do the same thing with those the following year. Select one color per years worth of growth so not to mix them up and write on an index card whats what. The 2nd yr plants can then be moved closer to the original mothers and keep those runners snipped. After about 4 to 5 yrs start to replace the oldest mothers as many feel they start producing less fruits as they age. Have fun and gt down and dirty in the garden...!

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Hi! This is very interesting to read. Thanks for sharing. That’s quite a system. Has it worked well for you? Do you have raised beds? I did a follow up video on renovating a strawberry bed and I had to do the process all at once because I needed to refill my raised bed with more soil. I like this process you have here as it makes it so you don’t have to renovate all the plants all at once.

[@simone2787]

Thank you 😊

[@catherineharris27]

Thank you for your advice! Using the bread ties are a smart idea! Thank you 4 this. It gives me a great start on my new bed next season!

[@vickybrown5047]

I'll be giving this a try ! Thanks for sharing.

[@rickrolluniversity2237]

Try an individual pot, i made an experiment by planting half of my plant directly to the ground and some on a pot. They grow better in an individual pot. And each of the plant grow differently. Like it evolve themselves i was shocked to find one of my strawberry goes red(leaf). The pot one grow more fruit and free disease. The mixed one in the ground tend to be sharing disease. It leaf growth isnt good at all, also try hanging pot

[@fbisurveillancevan1635]

For those reading this and if she doesn't mention this in the video, it is vitally important to use runners to get new plants but restrict this effort to one or two plants as needed. A strawberry plant will produce for 3-5 years and then its production falls off.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Yes, thank you for bringing this up. In fact, we have plans to renovate on our strawberry beds this year with the runners since the production had declined slightly. They are about 4 years old.

[@vastya.3255]

@@OurSanctuaryGarden so it’s not needed the first 3 years? I planted strawberries from seed a year ago, right now they started flowering , the plants are big but not as big as yours so I wasn’t sure if I should cut flowers so that the plants can still grow My plants started running a while ago so I have new patches that flower pretty quickly , so do I just cut off all the runners now or do I just wait until second year since 1st year plants don’t produce good fruit anyway? (Especially not in my weather )

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

@@vastya.3255 hi there! Regarding your questions, for the first few months after planting a strawberry plant, remove the blossoms to give the plant energy to focus on a good root system. It’s recommended to remove all flowers for the first year on June bearing, and to remove flowers until July for Everbearing. I would also start removing runners from your Everbearing plants unless you need/want more plants. For June bearing, I would let them produce some runners but don’t let them go crazy. You’re right that second year plants produce more and better fruit. I have a follow up video on my channel I posted recently on how to renovate an Everbearing strawberry bed. You might find it helpful as I clear a few things up. 😊 hope this answers your questions.

[@paulinesaens9677]

​@@OurSanctuaryGarden o

[@ineshianewton7740]

​@Sanctuary Gardens hello so remove all runners for the first 3 yrs

[@idahopotato5837]

"Runners" are daughters. Keep the mother and get rid of the daughters. Replace the mother with new daughters every 3 -4 years.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Exactly! Thanks for adding your input!

[@luvmy5515]

Can't you use the daughters to start another branch on the family tree? 😊 I mean if you're getting rid of them might as well make use of them. Make more strawberries 😁

[@SexMusicPlants]

@@luvmy5515 would depend on available room/space, I'd think...

[@terrig2467]

Can you plant the runners?

[@idahopotato5837]

@@terrig2467 yes. If you have the room. In time you will get overcrowding. I think taking the runners and planting them next to a row of mother's would work and then in 3 years remove the mother's when the daughters are producing well. The strawberries will be small if you don't thin them out at some point. The mother last 3-4 years.

[@truthseeker9561]

I push the end into a 3 in pot for 5 days and let it send a root down before I clip it of the mother. I've found that any longer than 5 days and you wont get as big of berries. This is the way I ve found to get the best of both. I have allstars and quinault and this has worked for both for me

[@andregreen8040]

Great tip. Now I know why I had so many new plants and small, not so sweet berries. Thank you.

[@kaiya4376]

Strawberries like acidic soil for sweeter fruit

[@courtneylee5633]

“Nothing beats home grown berries” I agree 100%!

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

They truly are the best! 👌🏼

[@jbelme1]

I planted a dozen Quinalts in March. They became 100 plants, but I saw no fruit until this month(November)...three small strawberries. Wish I had known your trick. There’s always next year. 🙂 Thank you.

[@steph6337]

At least you have a bunch of plants now! How are the new plants doing? Have they started producing?

[@vastya.3255]

A big plus is having many plants, with this trick you can now get a huge yield

[@EvoExoticsGenetics]

reduce nitrogen

[@stacyclark5910]

You’re strawberries are huge & they look so AH-MAZING!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Thank you!

[@elijahisrael86]

Glad I stumbled upon this video. AMAZING! I’m getting ready to start my first indoor and outdoor grow so it was great to see what a runner looks like and how to encourage strawberries to grow as large as possible on the mother plant. Thank you.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

I’m glad it was helpful! Thanks for following along! More great videos coming! I have a whole playlist on strawberries!

[@truthmatters82]

Excellent video, thank you! Now I'm all set to grow my strawberries.😋❤️

[@rabitgrl57]

We just moved to this new house last fall. Previously, my strawberries were attacked by slugs, snails and birds before we ever got fruit to eat. Now, we are in a drier climate and will be purchasing my new berries within the month. This nice tip comes in perfect timing with the onset of gardening season. Thank you. 6:47

[@BlueCrystalAnimatez]

How are they ?

[@deborahstewart6435]

Wow! Thank you SO MUCH for that amazing tip! It's brilliant! I can't wait to get out there tomorrow and pinch or cut off the runners from my strawberries! And each time I do, I will be thanking you. I just can't believe that no one has ever thought of this before now. God Bless!

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

You’re most welcome!

[@b2manufacturing]

I tried cutting my runners off and rooting them with hormone and it works, so you let the mother focus on berries and at the same time you can make more plants.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Awesome! That’s a question I get a lot if the runner can be used to make a new plant after it’s been clipped so I’m glad to hear you’ve had success with it.

[@doctorcrew2388]

First year growing strawberries here! Have little day neutral strawberries that are just starting to form! I pinched the buds until beginning of this month and they are flowering like crazy!

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Wonderful! I hope they produce an abundance for you! :)

[@kitchenandgardener]

So nice 😍 home grown is so satisfying 🤩😍

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Yes, they are so much better!

[@KrusinTheSierra]

Thank you!!! I’m so glad I came across this video! I planted 50 bareroot strawberries in March/April and they are all smaller strawberries now that they are producing and tons of runners are coming! Now I know how to get big strawberries!!! Yay!!!

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Glad to hear it! Hope this helps! Happy gardening

[@julial3758]

So did it work

[@ireneb3433]

Thank you so much for this video! Just an additional tip for those having trouble getting bigger berries .. it may be to do with pollination. If - like me - you live in 'the 'burbs' rather than out in the country, you may be noticing a decline in pollinator populations. Try planting flowering, pollinator attracting plants such as marigolds around/within your strawberry patches (mine are in hanging pots). If the time to do this has passed, then get yourself a soft-bristled paint-brush and hand pollinate your flowers, from the outside in towards the centre of the flower. If you have the time to do this daily (for a few pots of plants like I have), then great! Otherwise, you can get away with doing this every 3-4 days. Strawberry flowers are self-pollinating (meaning even just one flower can fertilize itself to produce a fruit as it has both male and female flower parts). However, some help from you may be needed. Brush from the outside (male parts) of the flower to the inside (female part*s*). For the size of the fruit to be maximized to its capacity, *each* female part needs to be pollinated. Hope this helps as an addition to the great info in this video!

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Thank you for sharing this great tip!!

[@GG-cn6es]

strawberry plants can self-pollinate

[@grammy279]

Salvia is a great plant to have near your berries. Bees love “Salvia”

[@felineth56]

Pretty cool!😊

[@chrisoliver6690]

Those plants look very healthy

[@NashvilleMonkey1000]

Very nice~ How long have those strawberry plants been in the garden beds? To save the clipped runners, put them in water, with the torn off end in the water and keep the growing tip out of the water but still resting on the water, and they will form roots.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Hi! These plants have been in the raised beds for about 2 years. In 1-2 more years, I plan to refresh the bed by doing exactly as you described! :) Cheers!

[@Paulineme1]

How do you rest the growing tip on the water?

[@artgarden5285]

Just got a Seascape variety plant (no doubt grown from a runner, lol) and was looking for tips on what to do with it. I will keep this tip and remember it when my plant is much bigger, because I want LOTS of strawberries and strawberry plants in the future. Been dreaming of that hanging, indoor strawberry cornucopia... :) Thank you!

[@NashvilleMonkey1000]

Actually water tends to rot them quickly. Letting them root directly into the ground either from the container of planting out the container gives it the best chance. There are ways to use water but they are still more advanced than me

[@smallspaceswithGloria]

Thank you answered my question 😊

[@jeribrockington800]

Great tip. I prune mine and I replant the stem.

[@judelistens510]

We are in Bellingham Wa and are starting a garden 🪴 this year. Thanks for the tips :)

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Hi neighbor! 😊 I wish you all the best in your new gardening journey. I hope you find some helpful info here for gardening in the PNW. Cheers!

[@mylavenda1]

You explained that so well. Thank you.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

You’re welcome! Happy gardening!

[@bayangnelson]

nice sharing very informative

[@speakrighttogod]

Oh my gosh! Your berries look AMAZING and big. I know the flavor is off the chart. Enjoy!!

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Thank you! They are scrumptious! 🍓😉

[@miranda5237]

Thank you this is some helpful advice. Your garden lookds beautiful

[@ToniMBullock]

Thank you! This is my first year gardening so I’m not expecting fruit until next year, but I’ll make sure to remember to do this!

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

I wish you all the best! 😊

[@slk363]

Do I need to fertilize strawberry plants other than when first planted? If so with what?

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

@@slk363 yes, strawberries should be fertilized after their last crop. Try to avoid fertilizing them in the spring right before they start flowering, otherwise they may put out only leaves and less or no fruit. I plan to do a video on fertilizing strawberries once they’re fruiting (soon!) so watch for that.

[@betsyolivares3987]

Hi friend. I got strawberries un march and they are growing again. I told you I was going to do my best and I did It.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Yay!! That’s great! Congratulations!

[@daniellevaldez9813]

I love your garden 💞💞💞

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Thank you ☺️

[@madiskartengbicolana3947]

Nice shRing my friend

[@janellschwake4025]

My older kiddo asked if you would share some with us, ha ha! Beautiful berries!! Need to go out and pluck my runners now.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

I'd gladly share my bounty! ;)

[@ThatBackYardLifeHWGAC]

Thanks for sharing such a great tip👏🏽keep up the good work fellow gardener 👍🏽

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Thank you! Happy gardening!

[@MichaelJosephJr934]

The slope of your yard is great. My last residence had that slope and everything I planted in that low area did the best. I guess wetness is good.

[@doreenmangru3490]

Good to know - thanks for sharing

[@tomgatum4330]

Thanks for sharing...we tried to grow strawberry in the tropic where it is green all the year round... removing runners and some leaves are essential..to increase the yield and size of the berries.

[@changsimon4800]

Thank you for the tip.

[@amyk6028]

Very helpful video! Thank u ❤️

[@xBettyjo]

I ordered ever berries this year and they're planted they look so healthy. I definitely needed to know this tip I'll just pick the runners and start new plants give them away lol

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Glad this was helpful! I love sharing the runner baby plants with others!

[@LuJustLu]

Great Tip. Thanks for sharing

[@dimitriosdesmos4699]

yummi yummi, never neglect strawberries.

[@saraalicea3363]

Thanks for sharing your tip 😊

[@jaybig360]

Thanks for making the video lady 👍🏽👍🏽

[@nickgarv8835]

For anyone reading when removing the runners it actually works way easier to just push down instead of pinching off. The whole section would get removed with ease

[@dougkidd4799]

Great video thanks

[@daliawagih4648]

Thanks for the tip.. 💕

[@teresamcnulty8471]

Around here, the Mt. Hood strain of strawberries are smaller, but boy are they delicious.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Good to know! We weren’t happy with our Hood strawberries but maybe I’ll give them another chance 😊

[@IkramshahbakraTVLahore]

Wow amazing 👍🥰

[@farmervee_yt]

Good, good information.

[@honestyisthebestpolicy8566]

Wow. Your strawberries are perfect. My children and I love strawberries and this year is our first year growing our own. Thank you for sharing your tips and garden. Loved the way you showed how to do it too. Definitely appreciate it.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Thank you! Strawberries are our favorite! I'm so glad you're growing your own! I hope they will be abundant! :)

[@mrjason9382]

Thanks for shareing

[@btdu2789]

I started a strawberry plant in a pot this year. Let's see if it grows big after I plug off a runner. Thanks for the tip.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

You’re welcome!

[@Jbiglin]

First time on your channel. Great video! Very clear explanation. I’ll be pinching off the runners we get this season. Thanks!

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Welcome! Glad you found it helpful! 😊

[@spiritualspinster4222]

I only grow Everbearing Strawberries because I prefer them producing throughout the summer. Right now, my bed is new, and I want more plants, so I am leaving the runners. Once I have all the plants I want, I fully intend on pinching those runners. Maybe I'll keep a few and start a few for my friends to have and to freshen my stock every few years.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

You betcha! Sounds like you know what you're doing! I prefer everbearing myself... I may be getting rid of my June bearing this year. Happy gardening!

[@Gilbertmk2]

Awesome! I'm going to go out and do this tomorrow morning. My strawberries are fairly small.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Glad this was helpful! 😊 Happy Gardening!

[@joypolk3093]

Hi, just found your channel🤗 subscribed! Lovely garden and looking forward to more of your videos.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Thank you for the follow! I hope you find things helpful. And always feel free to comment with things you've learned in your gardening journey. Cheers!

[@larag4646]

Thank you! I've always been great at growing strawberry plants but lacking on the actual strawberries lol

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

You’re welcome and I hope you have better luck! 😊

[@papablueshirt]

Plants look great, thanks for the tip. I can't wait to eat strawberries from my indoor grow room. Animals always eat mine outdoors, so I am going to try indoors🙃

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

That will be nice to have them inside. I hope it works for you!

[@scottjkern]

I like what you did and that’s a great idea, but the runners can also be soaked in water and make another plant and possibly sell them. And definitely use a scissors. You were really fighting there to pinch that off you can use a small scissors.

[@SpiceyKy]

Awesome tip!

[@knightforlorn6731]

awesome!! I love this news thank you!

[@jimarena1166]

Awesome thanks for that! I'll try it on my strawberry plants 👍👍🙏🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Glad to help! Happy gardening!

[@sonictheheadshock756]

Hi I love your dogs they are very cute 😊😁

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Thank you!

[@HealyMeans]

hi sanctuary gardens 🤗 this video came across my feed and im so glad it did. im actually watching you on my tv and laptop 🤣😂 i have strawberries and will definitely try this idea the next time i renovate my patch (your video im watching on tv). i'm in zone 10. i'm not sure where you are, but i'm going to watch more of your videos to see what i can learn and what may work in my raised beds. where do you get your straw? tfs

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Hi there! I'm so glad you're here! Thanks for stopping by. :) I hope you learn a lot from my videos! More strawberry ones will be coming out in August (a whole series!). I am in zone 8b so I have a shorter growing season than you. I purchased my strawberries from a local nursery that specializes in berries and shrubs. I got mine as bareroot (my recommendation). Hope this helps! See you in a future comment thread! ;)

[@mashungrinrimaisoyao6095]

Tq very much for ur kind information🤩❤

[@BrianBetron]

Nice job

[@sikkimeseanoop]

Thanks for sharing

[@betsyolivares3987]

Hola, I AM from Habana. This is the first time I grow strawberries. I think I AM going to have a beautiful plant and good fruits. You know the climate here is not the best to grow but I Will try. I Will do my best.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

I wish you the best! :)

[@andrewmcclure2853]

Wow. Nice plants. What variety are these? thanks

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

This variety is called Albion and is our favorite. 😊

[@mattallen6663]

Thanks, its very obvious but never thought of doing this

[@nicolamiller1379]

This is my first year growing strawberries. I happened to see them at a nursery and decided to give them a try. Right now I have them in a planter, but I know I need something bigger and I do have a runner. I will snip it and put it in water until the roots start showing. Thank you for this video. It was very helpful. I have a small strawberry growing. How do I determine when they need to be picked?

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

I'm so glad you are trying out strawberries! If you want more plants, you can sacrifice a lot of fruit for more runners so you can propagate your patch. Then next year, start pruning off the runners. I know my strawberries are ready to pick when there is no white left on it (only red). :). Hope this helps! Happy gardening!

[@zamaningidi5631]

Awesome ❤

[@technomix4880]

Thanks For This! More please! Also

[@adrienneb.4710]

I use the runners for propagation but I can see why allowing them to develop can divert the plant's energy.

[@stevesmith4051]

I have everbearing strawberries, by thinning the number of flowers I allow to bloom in the flower clusters to 3 to 4 berries is how I get very large tasty strawberries. I'm not sure of the variety as I inherited the plants. They do not make runners however the crowns get multiple plants and in Octobre I separate the crowns for even more berry plants the next season.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

That’s an interesting point about thinning the flowers. It makes sense. I’m glad it’s working for you. Maybe I’ll try it out. 😊 Enjoy those strawberries!

[@IjeomaThePlantMama]

Do you thin the flowers while they're actively growing?

[@jdbfortney]

My strawberries are loaded... heading out right now to do this!!!!

[@debc4917]

Thank you for the tip! What about your soil? What is the best? Thanks!

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

I recommend getting a good quality garden mix from a local landscape company if you’re doing raised beds. Strawberries like slightly acidic soil (5.5-6.5) so test your soil to see where it lands then add elemental sulfur to acidify it if needed. I have a video on acidifying soil if you need further help

[@sheilafade2016]

Your strawberries are beautiful

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Thank you! They're our favorite!

[@lgrillo]

I often place the tiny runner plants in a small pot of potting soil while still connected to the mother. After it roots, I snip the umbilical cord. Then I can move the new baby wherever I want.

[@pokejuice1495]

Those are the best looking homegrown strawberries I have ever seen. When did you put the straw down?

[@aganethaklassen5246]

Thank you for sharing

[@ikesims5328]

This is really awesome info and easily understood. I,m giving strawberry planting another try.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

I'm glad you're going to try again! I wish you the very best luck!

[@catherineharris27]

You can replant those runners also if they are mature enough! Who doesn't want more plants! But if you don't you can toss them. I want my bed to be full then I'll separate each plant for more space. I have half of my bed filled probably 7 plants total right now. I clipped off 3 runners. What about the flowers 🌼 ? I have small berries. I have Ever-bearing plants! We are on our 2nd year of having them. We do buy two new Mother plants each year to add to our beds. Next spring I want to make a new bed for more strawberries when I separate my plants. I don't want them to be one big mess! Once I do this I will be able to manage my both beds daily or every other day to make sure they are healthy and thriving! I would love to know what type of soil n food you feed them?! I would love to have mine big n juicy like yours! Im from Anderson, SC.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

A lot of my viewers have asked about planting the runner and yes, you absolutely can plant them! Or let them root and then move them. Regarding the flowers, it is recommended to remove the first year flowers for a couple months. After that, let them flower and fruit. I use an organic garden mix for soil from a local vendor. It’s 2/3 top soil and 1/3 compost. I am preparing a fertilizing video to put out sometime early this summer so watch for that. Honestly, I use a balanced fertilizer where the npk numbers are pretty close. Nothing fancy. Hope this helps!

[@loranelizabeth9148]

Thank you!!!

[@wasserdagger]

Great video... you've inspired me to start growing strawberries in a big box-like "garden." What kind of soil should I use for box-cultivating them, and, how deep should it be?

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Wonderful! Strawberries have a shallow root system so anything 8" or deeper is good (12" is typical for raised beds). I recommend buying a "garden mix" for your soil. You can get them bagged or buy it in bulk from a landscaping business. Strawberries like a slightly acidic soil pH so check your soil before planting them and add elemental sulfer if needed to acidify it (I have a video on testing soil pH if you need help). Happy gardening!

[@wasserdagger]

@@OurSanctuaryGarden Thank you. That'll be one of my upcoming summer projects to do this year. Luckily I have a great garden store nearby me that can help provide some of the essential items I'll need to get started.

[@jennzhangcn]

How do you manage growing strawberries with no bug bites? Those pill bugs are ruining my strawberries, also the birds eat them when they still green. So frustrated!!!

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

I would love to say my strawberries never have bug damage, but that would be a lie. I have managed birds with netting that I cover the beds with. Regarding pill bugs, I had an infestation of them this year so many of my berries had some damage. Pill bugs love dark and damp environments so I laid down a layer of straw so the strawberries would be off the damp soil. I also watered in the morning so everything had a chance to dry out through the day. It seems to help but a level of damage should always be expected. 'Tis the life a gardener. We have to share our garden with the bugs. ;) Happy gardening!

[@gmoney860]

Good tip, thanks!

[@nokitas815]

Last year I bought 3 plants and didnt know to prune off the runners. I didnt get ANY berries. However this year i took all those new plants i replanted in a more suitable area and ive got sooo many berries coming in.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

That’s wonderful! Hopefully this tip helps too. 😊 happy gardening!

[@franknilson180]

Hi there. Thanks for a great video. I have started growing strawberries from seed that I collected from strawberries that I bought. It has been three years now and I am really getting great strawberries. I was quite shocked when I saw some of my strawberries being about three fingers wide. I never knew what caused them to be so large but I was very excited. I have five questions. How often should strawberries be replanted and what soil mix do you suggest I use, what could I add to the soil to produce sweet strawberries and how often do you use fertilizer if any, and what type? Your assistance will be appreciated.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Hi there! Thanks for the comment and good questions. I’ll answer them in order as best I can. 1) strawberry lifespan is about 3-5 years. I have a new video on renovating an Everbearing strawberry bed. Go check it out on my channel for more info. 2) I suggest using an organic garden mix. I buy from a local company in bulk but you can also get garden mix in bags from nurseries. 3) I am not sure as to what to add to soil to sweeten a strawberry. I’ll do some research and try to include that in my upcoming fertilizing strawberries video (check back in about a month for that video.) 4 and 5) I do fertilize them 2-3x a year. I am trying out this fertilizer: Espoma Organic Berry-tone 4-3-4 Natural & Organic Fertilizer and Plant Food for all Berries. 4 lb. Bag. Use for Planting & Feeding to Promote Bountiful Harvest www.amazon.com/dp/B07KV692TG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Y7YPY5NBKFMV9FVNB7FC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 Check back for that promised strawberry fertilizing video! I hope this helps in the meantime.

[@franknilson180]

@@OurSanctuaryGarden Thanks for the information. It is appreciated.

[@lindawallace8700]

My goodness, you have the most beautiful strawberry plants and strawberries. Mine are pitiful compared to yours. What zone are you in? How much and what kind of fertilizer do you use? How do you keep insects, ants, snails, slugs, etc off of your plants? Thank you!!

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Thank you! We are in zone 8b and I am trying out a new fertilizer by Espoma (www.amazon.com/Espoma-Berry-Tone-Natural-Organic-Fertilizer/dp/B08DYDS1GZ/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2CCX81N75BHQE&dchild=1&keywords=espoma+berry+tone&qid=1629607080&sprefix=espoma+berry%2Caps%2C224&sr=8-2). I follow the instructions on the bag for doses and I usually do it twice a year (spring and fall). Regarding insects... I pick my battles! Haha! I have had a big slug problem this year so I'm literally going outside and picking them up and throwing them over the fence. It works! My biggest issue is sow bugs and I have yet to try the solution of putting half a melon upside down in the area to attract them then relocate them to my compost pile. I hear it works well. But really, we just suffer some losses. It hasn't been so bad that I've done anything about it really. Hope this helps!

[@grammy279]

@@OurSanctuaryGarden Hi, nice informative video. I got 10 plants at the farmers market that are Ozark Beauties, never grown them before. So excited to follow you and check back when I’m not sure about those runners. Can I just give those to a friend so she can grow berries?

[@yonathanzewde2575]

I am not perfect. But my strawberry plants are getting real good fertilized soil, rain and sunlight and when ever the mini plant grows I cut them all together and plant them. I started having them all from a single plant.

[@Kyle_Hubbard]

I always watch videos like this in the hopes that I learn something new and sometimes I do. Sadly in this case I didn't. That being said, I find if you've started a new patch of strawberries it's better to let it mat and then selectively snap runners. All the local strawberry growers near me with huge fields of them plant new mature plants every three years. Obviously due to how they need to be successful every year they plant mature crops. So they'll be growing or ordering in three year plants inadvance, so year 1 mature 3 year old plant, year 2 mature 3 year old plant, so and so forth. Obviously letting a patch mat will mean you might not get a huge amount of fruit or that your fruit is smaller. I ripped up all my plants at the end of last year and I put in two new varieties in spring. I was getting fruit relatively slow but it's slowly picked up but I've got quite a few runners going so the fruit is about everbearing size maybe a bit bigger. These days though you can big juicy strawberries later in the year, autumn/fall time, the same with raspberries. So I'm getting the summer ones currently but the autumn ones will pick up as they slow down and eventually stop. That being said though if you've got a nice patch like you guys have then leaving a few runners on older plants and snapping ones of the newer ones to start new plants for swapping out year 4/5 plants is great for maximising.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Thanks for leaving a comment and sharing what's working for you. I have a recent video on how I renovated my everbearing strawberry patch and I go over a few details that I didn't cover in this video. I'm always learning and adapting (always a student of the garden).

[@faithrahal142]

Your plants 🍓and fruit look healthy and vibrant. I'm curious, what area of the country and zone are you in ? Do the two varieties you planted work well in other zones/ areas ? Thank you for the beautiful videos 😊

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Thank you! I live in WA state zone 8b. Albion and Hood are the varieties I have and they are perennial in zones 4-8. If you live somewhere outside those zones, you can grow them as an annual. Hope this helps!

[@dcwatashi]

@@OurSanctuaryGarden Oh hey! I also live in Washington state. I think I am zone 8A I keep getting confused I don’t know why. I’m in Vancouver.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

@@dcwatashi hi neighbor! I use the old almanac website to find my growing zone by zip code. 😊 Vancouver isn’t too far away so I’m guessing you’re pretty close to my growing zone

[@dcwatashi]

@@OurSanctuaryGarden I don’t know why I have a mental block with which zone I’m in maybe I’m in the twilight zone 🤪🙄 and I just ordered the fertilizer you recommended for the blueberries and strawberries and it was the last one on Amazon. But I guess I’m too late to fertilize either my strawberries or my blueberries right now.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

@@dcwatashi i would go ahead and fertilize your blueberries and if you have Everbearing strawberries, go ahead and fertilize them too. If you have june bearing strawberries, wait until they are done fruiting then fertilize. 😊

[@donnaweetch7589]

Hi I’m watching from uk,I’m thinking of doing a bed of strawberry might have to be next year but could you tell me why straw is used please …great video very interesting specially with pinching off the long shoots

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Hi there! I’m glad you’re considering growing strawberries! You won’t be disappointed! I use straw as a mulch around my strawberries. This helps with a number of things including water retention (less need for watering), regulating soil temperature, suppressing weeds, adding nutrients to the soil as it decomposes and keeps the strawberries off the dirt. You can use many things as mulch: straw, wood chips, grass clippings, compost, leaves, etc. Hope this helps!

[@bradcarby3765]

This is very interesting. I grow strawberries commercially (we have about 10 million plants this year) and most of the advice I see on the youtubes is utterly ludicrous. This however, is not. We only keep our plants for one season, and we go to great lengths to cut the runners off early in the year so the crowns grow bigger and the plant sets more, larger fruit. There may or may not be an obscene amount of Calcium and Potassium Nitrate and Magnesium Sulphate involved. Towards the end of the season though, we start letting runners take root and cut them from the mother plant. We put them in trays and that becomes some of next year's plants.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

This is very interesting to read! I know most commercial growers treat strawberries as annuals but I wasn’t aware they removed runners. Good to know. Thanks for sharing!

[@usewisdom2]

Thanks for the tips

[@sandrashane677]

Why dont ye get 3-5 years out of a planting of strawberries? Why change them every year? Isnt that a lot of work?

[@bradcarby3765]

@@sandrashane677 Do you really want to know the answer?

[@asha.m]

​@Brad Carby yes please!

[@shashikiran4253]

Hi….the tip was really helpful…I am from Delhi..India…this is first time I have planted strawberry…beside pinching the runner what fertiliser you use…..your strawberries are really attractive and mouth watering..God Bless 😊

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

I am researching more into the best fertilizer (a new video will be coming out soon on that). A general all purpose fertilizer that is balanced in the 3 key nutrients will do the job. Something with a NPK that is close to equal (i.e. 4-3-4 etc).

[@shashikiran4253]

@@OurSanctuaryGarden thanks

[@ericksonparks1740]

Had to ff to the relevant part... time is valuable.

[@Northeastguy14]

How do you prep your strawberries for the winter… Do you cut them down to the soil service? I’m in the Northeast and not sure if I leave them alone or cut them down before the winter.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

A good question! So... for your june bearing varieties, it is recommended to mow them down to just above the crown as soon as they're done fruiting (mid summer typically). You then can thin the rows out. For everbearing/day neutral varieties, do not mow down. Just cover with mulch (I like straw) and remove it as soon as you're past your harshest frost but before the plants start coming out of dormancy. Hope that helps!

[@rubberducky8888]

Hey I was wondering if you could replant the runner and have another plant grow from it?

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Yes. I have a whole video on what to do with runners besides clip them off!

[@Yellowlabratory]

Great vid

[@leesa9615]

Awesome!!! I literally just planted 14 everbearing fingers crossed !! My question is this , could those suckers ( runners) be planted elsewhere to produce a new plant separate from the mother plant?

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

Absolutely! You can start a whole new strawberry bed with runners from the mother plants you originally planted. You can do it a number of ways. Wait until the runners show roots before clipping and planting, wait until they actually root themselves into the soil before transplanting, or (I've been told this works but haven't tried it myself) I understand you can place the end that will root into water until it starts rooting then plant it. Happy gardening!

[@leesa9615]

@@OurSanctuaryGarden thank you so much and I’m so sorry I also meant to say how beautiful your gardens are !!!😊😊😊

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

@@leesa9615 Thank you!

[@ttb1513]

Yes indeed. I started last summer with 6 Quinault everbearing plants. By nestling the runner down slightly into/onto moist soil and pinning the runner down with an upside down U shaped coated heavy wire, the runners reliably rooted. The runners would even then continue to creep, grow and extend over the ground, allowing a single runner to root and produce a few new plants. In early fall i then snipped each runner stem and dug up each new young daughter plant and planted each spread out so each had a foot between other plants. I went from 6 plants to 50 and even started clipping the runners off, figuring there was not much time for any more to root and grow big enough roots to survive the winter in zone 5 with some pine needles mulched over them for the winter. If you don’t ensure good soil contact and keep it moist at the "plant root nodes" on the runner stem, the runner may just dry up and "burn off" like a dud fuse. With some attention and care the rooting success rate can be very near 100%. One plant will send out multiple runners and each runner can produce multiple new daughter plants.

[@OurSanctuaryGarden]

@@ttb1513 Thanks for all the great info! I plan to do just that this fall as my beds are due for a refreshing. :)