There is nothing quite like the sweet juiciness of a fresh-picked strawberry on a warm summer’s day. Growing strawberries in your garden is an incredibly rewarding and surprisingly beginner-friendly process. You can grow strawberries in hanging baskets, patio containers, raised garden beds, or even as a trailing groundcover.
Once established, strawberry plants are easy to care for and eager to yield continuously throughout the season and even for many seasons to come. Plus, the high price tag and potential pesticide contamination of store-bought strawberries provide all the more reason to grow your own.
But if you’ve ever researched how to plant strawberries, you may find that they are far different from other fruit and vegetable starts. The cheapest and most common way to propagate strawberries is from “bare root” crowns.
Bare root strawberries look like dead little alien roots, but they are in fact very reliable planting material for starting the best strawberry patch you’ve ever grown. The only problem is, there is a lot of confusion around exactly how to plant and store bare root strawberries.
After growing strawberries from bare root crowns on more than ten different professional organic produce farms, I can assure you it’s not nearly as complicated as it may seem. Let’s dig into all the strawberry details!
Bare root strawberries are a popular way to start a new strawberry patch because they are inexpensive and easy to plant. However, sometimes those eager sprouts don’t grow as expected after planting. If your bare root strawberry plants are struggling, don’t give up hope! With a bit of troubleshooting, you can get them thriving again.
Common Reasons Bare Root Strawberries Don’t Grow Well
There are a few key factors that can cause lackluster growth in newly planted bare root strawberry crowns:
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Improper planting depth – Crowns buried too deep rot while too shallow dries roots out.
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Underwatering – Strawberries need consistent moisture, drought stress inhibits growth.
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Overwatering – Too much water suffocates roots and encourages diseases
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Poor soil – Strawberries require loose, fertile, well-draining soil to flourish.
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Cold weather – Chilling temps or frost can shock tender new transplants.
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Not enough sun – At least 6 hours of direct sun is vital for good fruit production.
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Diseases or pests – Undetected problems like mold, mildew or slugs damage plants.
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Old crowns – Weak bare roots sometimes fail to establish after planting.
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Early leaf removal – Picking leaves cuts off the plant’s food production.
Evaluating Planting and Care Practices
The first troubleshooting step is to critically assess your care regimen since planting bare roots. Key areas to review:
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Watering Habits: Have you been watering deeply 2-3 times per week? Or allowing soils to dry out too long? Proper moisture is critical.
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Sun Exposure: Are plants getting at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily? Morning sun is especially important.
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Soil Quality: Does the bed have adequate compost mixed in? Heavy or sandy soils won’t support good growth.
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Fertilizing: Have you fed plants with any balanced organic fertilizer or compost tea? Young strawberries need nutrients.
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Pest Monitoring: Look closely for slugs, snails, birds or other critters damaging new growth.
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Disease Prevention: Are you practicing crop rotation and garden sanitation to prevent problems?
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Chilling Conditions: Any unexpected frosts or cold snaps? Young transplants can’t tolerate freezing temps.
Addressing any deficiencies in care after planting is often an easy fix to get struggling strawberries back on track.
Digging Up and Examining Roots
If care issues are ruled out, the next step is to gently dig up a couple weak plants to inspect their root system and crown. Use a garden fork to loosen soil and lift roots out. Brush off excess soil and look for:
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Rotted Roots or Crown: Dark brown, mushy decay indicates disease set in. Discard affected plants to prevent spread.
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No New White Roots: Healthy feeder roots should be visible. Their absence signals stress.
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Buried Crown: Growth stunted if crown is more than 2/3 buried. Replant at proper depth.
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Exposed Crown: If crown is above soil level, roots will dry out. Bury crown slightly deeper.
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J-shaped Roots: Stunted plants may have incorrectly looped roots. Straighten and replant.
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Pest Damage: Look for slug or insect nibbling on roots and leaves. Apply bait or traps.
Examining roots gives clarity if the plant is still viable or needs replacing. Planting issues can then be remedied.
Providing Optimal Growing Conditions
If bare root crowns appear healthy, reevaluate if you are providing ideal growing conditions:
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Loose, Loamy Soil: Amend native soil with compost to improve texture and nutrients.
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Sunny Spot: At least 6-8 hours of direct sun is best. Morning sun is vital.
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Proper Spacing: Allow 12-18 inches between plants for good airflow.
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Timely Watering: Deep soak soil 2-3 times per week, avoiding overhead watering.
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Wind Protection: Add row cover barriers if plants are exposed to drying winds.
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Frost Protection: Cover plants when cold snaps threaten sensitive new growth.
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Even Moisture: Use drip irrigation to ensure consistent soil moisture.
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Weed Control: Remove competing weeds stealing water and nutrients. Mulch also smothers weeds.
Taking steps to optimize growing conditions gives struggling strawberries the best chance to rebound.
Actions to Revive Lackluster Plants
Depending on the extent of issues, take these reviving actions for underperforming strawberry plants:
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Remove any diseased or pest-infested plants to prevent spread.
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For plants with rotted crowns, prune dead sections away and hope new growth emerges.
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Loosen compacted soil around plants and top-dress with fresh compost.
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Replant any crowns at proper depth if planting depth was an issue.
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Move containers or beds to a sunnier location. Even a few extra hours of sun can make a difference.
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Improve drainage and amend soil texture if too dense or nutrient deficient.
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Build protective cold frames or tunnels if weather is impeding growth.
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Rule out thirst – give a heavy soak of water and install drip irrigation.
With attentive TLC and troubleshooting, stressed strawberry plants often rebound well!
Preventing Bare Root Problems in the Future
While troubleshooting existing issues, make note of strategies to avoid bare root strawberry problems down the road:
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Carefully inspect crowns upon arrival for any signs of damage, mold or rot.
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Store and plant bare root crowns promptly to prevent deterioration.
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Soak roots before planting to rehydrate. Use clean water or compost tea.
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Prepare growing beds weeks ahead by amending soil and removing weeds.
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Follow planting depth instructions precisely to prevent crown issues.
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Water new transplants daily until roots establish (about 4 weeks).
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Monitor for slugs, snails or other pests that feed on tender new growth.
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Cover plants when frost threatens so tender new foliage isn’t damaged.
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Feed with balanced organic fertilizer or compost tea every 2-3 weeks after planting.
Taking extra care at planting time and diligent early maintenance helps bare root strawberries establish successfully.
Getting Healthy Strawberry Plants Off to a Strong Start
Establishing bare root strawberry plants does require patience and attentive care. But the reward of homegrown berries is well worth it! Follow these tips:
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Choose disease-resistant varieties suitable for your region.
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Start with clean, weed-free soil by solarizing beds prior to planting.
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Give plants ample space for airflow and sun penetration.
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Test soil pH yearly and amend as needed to maintain ideal nutrients.
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Use row covers, organic sprays and traps to prevent slugs and snails.
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Rotate strawberry patches every 3 years to minimize disease carryover.
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Renew mulch around plants each year with compost or straw.
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Stay vigilant with maintenance to catch issues early.
With preventative practices and quick response to challenges, your bare root strawberries will thrive! Don’t lose hope – a little TLC can get struggling plants back on track.
It’s understandable to feel disappointed when eagerly awaited bare root strawberry plants fail to grow as expected. But solutions to get them thriving again are usually readily available. Methodically evaluating soil, planting techniques, care routines, and environmental factors will reveal what is inhibiting the plants. Simple fixes like adjusting planting depth, adding protective structures, boosting nutrients, or improving drainage will often spur quick improvements. Monitor plants closely and respond promptly at first signs of decline. With attentive care, most bare root strawberry plants can rebound remarkably well even after a poor start. Just have patience and give them some extra TLC. Before you know it, those lackluster plants will be replaced by vigorous foliage and sweet berries!
How Are Strawberries Propagated?
Unlike the majority of our garden crops, strawberries are propagated asexually, or vegetatively. This means that they are not usually grown from seeds (sexual reproduction) the way that kale, spinach, or carrots are.
Instead, strawberries are reproduced through a method of cloning that results in baby plants that are genetically identical to the mother plant. Once you establish strawberries in your garden, you will notice that the plants do this naturally through their continuous production of “runners” called stolons. At the end of these stolons are new baby plants that can root and grow in the soil so that strawberry patches can spread in the wild.
For plant production, nurseries will dig up these strawberry plants in their dormant state, storing them in refrigerators until they are ready to ship in the spring. This is technically “vegetative” propagation material. There was no sexual pollination of flowers or seeds planted from the fruit. Garlic, potatoes, and sweet potatoes are also propagated by vegetative reproduction instead of true seeds.
Preparing Planting Beds or Pots
Strawberry beds should have a generous helping of compost or decomposed leaves added to the soil and raked clean. Strawberries prefer a rich well-drained soil that is slightly acidic. Use a tape measure to mark off at least one square foot of space per plant. Some gardeners prefer 18” between plants for maximum airflow.
If you are growing in a container or pot, it needs to be at least 6” deep to give the strawberry plenty of space to root. Hanging baskets work great for a beautiful edible display of berries.
EVERYTHING I wish I Knew When I First Planted Strawberries
FAQ
Are my bare root strawberries dead?
- Check the roots: If the roots are limp, discolored, and lightweight, they might be dead.
- Examine the twigs: Scratch a few twigs on the plant. If they are brown and dry underneath, the plant is likely dead.
- Look for signs of disease: Mold, mildew, or a strange odor can indicate a problem.
- Consider the age of the plant: Strawberries are perennials that come back year after year, but they may need to be renewed after a few years.
- Rehydrate before planting: If you’re planting bare-root strawberries, you can rehydrate them by soaking the roots in a bucket of hand-warm water for 1-2 hours.
- Don’t bury the crown: Make sure the crown of the strawberry plant is at or above the soil line, not buried.
How long does it take for bare root strawberries to show growth?
Bare root strawberries usually take about 3 months to produce berries from the time of planting. If you choose June-bearing or ever-bearing types, they may not yield in abundance until the second year of growth. Day-neutral strawberry varieties are the best for first-year growth.
Why is the strawberry plant not growing?
A number of macronutrients and micronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, boron, and calcium are important for strawberry plant growth and fruit production. Insufficient levels of these nutrients in the soil, or an inability of the plants to take up these nutrients, may lead to small fruit size.
How do you revive bare root strawberries?
A few days before you plan to plant, take the strawberries out of storage and rehydrate them by soaking the roots in a bucket of water for about an hour. This will revive them from dormancy.
What is a bare root Strawberry?
Bare root strawberries are just the strawberry crown, typically without any leaves or soil. Plugs include cell trays full of potting soil and living, growing roots. The reason bare root strawberries are so popular is because their crowns are much easier to store and ship. After all, mailing soil could get pretty dang heavy and messy.
How do you grow bare root strawberries?
Regardless of when or how you grow bare root strawberries, there are a few fundamentals that need to be followed. Bare root strawberry plants are composed of the roots, crown, and leaves (but not always when you first receive them). It is very important to only bury the roots while leaving the crown exposed.
What happens if you plant strawberries bare root?
Problems with the center of the plant can lead to stunting, disease problems, and reduced fruit yields. Make sure you don’t plant your strawberries too deep, as this can cause the roots to rot. If you plant strawberries from bare root crowns (rather than seedlings), you will need to pay careful attention to the depth they go in the soil.
Are bare root strawberries good?
Bare root strawberries look like dead little alien roots, but they are in fact very reliable planting material for starting the best strawberry patch you’ve ever grown. The only problem is, there is a lot of confusion around exactly how to plant and store bare root strawberries.
How to plant bare-root strawberries?
Similarly, if you’ve been storing the strawberry roots for a long time, soaking them is a good first step. Tip 2: Match the depth of the hole to the length of the roots. When we dig holes for planting the bare-root strawberries, it’s important not to dig too deeply.
Can you store bare root strawberries?
But storing bare root plants requires a little extra knowledge to ensure that they don’t rot or break dormancy too soon before planting. There are three parts to a strawberry plant: top/leaves, crown, and roots. The hardest part about growing strawberries is planting them. But once you get the hang of it, it is super easy.