How to Get Strawberry Plants for Free, Forever

Strawberries are a favorite for home gardeners, but buying new plants every season can get expensive. Luckily, strawberry plants naturally produce runners—long, vine-like stems that grow baby plants at their tips.

Little Acre Homestead teaches a simple trick for using these runners to propagate new strawberry plants for free, ensuring an endless supply of delicious berries.

What You’ll Need

This method requires only a few basic supplies:

• Dirt or potting soil – A nutrient-rich, well-draining soil works best.
• Paperclip (or similar small fastener) – This helps secure the runner in place.
• Healthy strawberry plant – The mother plant should already be producing runners.

These simple tools make it easy to encourage new plants to take root.

Step-by-Step Guide to Propagating Strawberries

1. Prepare the Soil—Before planting, moisten the soil to make it easier to work with. Then, fill a small pot with the prepared soil.
2. Position the Runner – Locate a healthy runner from the mother strawberry plant. Gently press the baby plant at the end of the runner into the soil of the new pot.
3. Secure the Runner – Use half of an unfolded paperclip to pin the baby plant down, ensuring it makes good contact with the soil.
4. Let It Root – Over the next few weeks, keep the soil moist and watch for roots to develop. The baby plant will begin growing independently.
5. Sever the Connection – Once the new plant has established strong roots, cut the runner connecting it to the mother plant. Now you have a brand-new strawberry plant ready to thrive on its own!

Why This Method Works

Strawberries naturally propagate through runners, so this method simply speeds up what they already do. By securing the baby plant in place, you ensure that it roots properly and gets enough nutrients before being separated. This is an easy and cost-effective way to expand your strawberry patch without buying new plants.

Additional Tips for Success

• Use well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
• Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
• Choose strong, healthy runners for the best results.
• Try multiple pots at once to maximize your strawberry yield.

With this simple technique, you can grow a thriving strawberry garden and enjoy fresh, homegrown berries year after year!

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