Do Strawberries Transplant Well?

Strawberry Varieties

• One of the most important criteria for strawberries to transplant well is choosing the best varieties for your USDA hardiness zone and soil conditions. There are many strawberry varieties designed for everything from short growing seasons with cool nights to long growing seasons with warm, humid nights. Check Resources to learn your USDA hardiness zone.

Potted Plant Transplants

• Plant potted strawberries at the ideal time for your region of the country. For example, northern regions may transplant in late April or May, while south Florida gardeners grow strawberries during the autumn and winter months. If your garden bed is prepared when you purchase the potted plants, they should transplant well.

Transplant Runners

• You can avoid many garden pests and problems by keeping good airflow around each strawberry plant. This means not allowing the garden to become overcrowded. Whenever possible, transplant the runners, called stolons, rather than the mature strawberry plants. Mature plants, which are those over two years old, have an intricate root system that enables them to produce larger strawberries. Runners transplant well into flowerpots or a new garden bed with good drainage.

Rotation System

• Most strawberry plants produce for three to five years, according to Utah State University Extension. A rotation system helps to keep the plants healthy. Keep the original plants in the first garden bed. First-year transplants go into a second garden bed, second-year transplants go into a third garden bed and third-year transplants go into a fourth garden bed. The following year, remove the original strawberry plants and repeat the rotation pattern. This way, if you have a problem with one garden bed, it is less likely to affect your entire strawberry crop.