You can dig up and transplant strawberries. Transplanting strawberries can be a great way to expand your strawberry patch or move plants to a more suitable location. However, it’s important to do it at the right time and with proper care to ensure the success of the transplants.
First, it’s important to choose the right time for transplanting strawberries. Late summer or early fall, usually around late August, is the best time for transplanting in most zones in the United States. This timing allows the transplants to establish their roots before winter sets in. It’s also beneficial to transplant after the plants have finished fruiting for the season.
Before digging up the strawberries, make sure to prepare the new planting location. Choose a site with well-drained soil and full sun exposure. Remove any weeds or grass from the area and amend the soil with organic matter such as compost to improve its fertility and drainage.
To dig up the strawberries, start by gently loosening the soil around the plants using a garden fork or shovel. Be careful not to damage the roots or crowns of the plants. Once the soil is loosened, carefully lift the plants out of the ground, trying to keep the roots intact.
If the strawberries are growing in a matted row system, where the plants send out runners and form new plants, you can transplant the established runners instead of the parent plants. These runners are smaller plants that have already rooted and can be easily separated from the main plant. This allows you to propagate new strawberry plants while also transplanting them to a new location.
Once you have dug up the strawberries or separated the runners, it’s important to transplant them immediately to minimize stress on the plants. Dig a hole in the prepared new planting location that is large enough to accommodate the roots of the strawberry plant or runner. Place the plant or runner into the hole, making sure the crown is level with the soil surface. Gently backfill the hole and firm the soil around the plant, ensuring there are no air pockets.
After transplanting, water the strawberry plants thoroughly to help settle the soil and provide moisture for root establishment. It’s also a good idea to mulch around the transplants to conserve soil moisture and suppress weed growth. Straw or shredded leaves make excellent mulch for strawberries.
In the following weeks and months, continue to water the transplants regularly, especially during dry periods. Monitor the plants for any signs of stress or wilting and take appropriate action, such as providing additional water or shade, if needed.
Transplanted strawberries may take some time to recover and establish themselves in their new location. It’s normal for the plants to show some temporary decline, but with proper care and maintenance, they should start growing vigorously in the next growing season.
You can dig up and transplant strawberries to expand your patch or move them to a more suitable location. Late summer or early fall is the best time for transplanting, and it’s important to prepare the new planting site beforehand. Whether you choose to transplant the parent plants or the established runners, handle them with care to avoid damaging the roots or crowns. Provide adequate water, mulch, and ongoing care to help the transplanted strawberries establish and thrive in their new home.
