Strawberry runners

The textbook advice is to let the plants grows in the first year, so you can see how each performs. Of the ones that produce the most/best fruit, select a few, and nip off any flowers so that all the energy can go to producing runners. Of the remaining ones, nip off the runners so that all the energy goes into producing fruit.

Then at the end of the year, using a very sharp, sterile knife, cut all the outer leaves away from each plant, leaving only the young inner leaves, which rejuvenates the plant.

Sounds like a right faff on to me, so I'll just do follow my dad's example. He's got half his allotment full of them within just a few years. He lets them produce runners, but guides them into the row where they came from, and doesn't bother trimming the leaves as that would be too much effort. He gets loads of strawberries nowadays, and they just keep coming right through summer.

 

I suppose with gardening the only way to learn is to do and learn from your mistakes. I have made a few so far but am learning more with each one. I really appreciate all the advice everyone gives on here.....it stops me making more mistakes. Thanks again everyone