A sunny spring has led to an exceptional year for strawberries, with larger, sweeter fruit and abundant runners. Gardeners are now advised to transplant these runners to new locations to ensure a continued bumper crop in 2026.
Strawberry plants typically produce fruit for three to four years before slowing down. To maintain productivity, it is recommended to replant the patch either with new plants or by relocating runners from the current season. Moving the patch to a different spot helps prevent disease buildup and replant disease, a poorly understood issue where new plants struggle in soil previously used for the same species.
Choose a sunny location with fertile, well-draining soil, and mulch generously with compost. Runners ready for transplant can be identified by following the tentacle-like stems to where they have rooted and formed new leaf clusters. Gently lift them with a fork and install in the new site, or pot them up in compost to move later. Strawberries also thrive in large containers, which keep fruit off moist soil and reduce rot.
Select the sturdiest, healthiest plants and discard any showing signs of disease, such as deformities or black spots. In southern England, November planting is feasible as strawberry plants are cold-hardy, but if the ground is frozen, delay until early spring. Mulching with straw can protect new plants during harsh winter weather.
