I’ve mentioned in a previous article how many early attempts at growing strawberries didn’t go as planned. One reason was choosing the wrong varieties, but another big factor was that I never discovered the importance of cutting strawberry runners.
It wasn’t until I learned about cutting strawberry runners that I saw a real difference in my strawberry patch.
Believe it or not, this one simple step allowed me to make light years worth of progress in terms of boosting my fruit yield, and it can do the same for you!
Here are 5 reasons why cutting strawberry runners boosts fruit yield:
5 – Redirection Of Energy
Strawberry plants inherently spend a portion of their total energy on sending out runners. However, as we all know, this can divert resources away from fruit production, which is not what we want.
If you cut the unnecessary runners, more of the plant’s total energy will be directed towards berry production instead of growing new shoots.
Over time, this will not only lead to larger, sweeter, berries but also bigger yields that you can enjoy and preserve.
4 – Improved Air Circulation
If you cut off runners and thin down your dense strawberry patch, you’ll notice that the improved air circulation can work wonders for preventing fungal diseases, mold, and rot. This indirectly links to improvement in overall plant health and better fruit production.
By lessening the obstructions that restrict airflow, you also give the plants a chance to dry out thoroughly in case of rain, further reducing the likelihood of disease. And, to be fair, healthy disease-free plants are much more likely to produce abundant fruit.
3 – Reduced Weeds
Stray strawberry runners tend to root in various parts of the garden, often spreading beyond the designated strawberry patch.
As these runners root, they have this unfortunate habit of encouraging weed growth in those particular areas. It becomes a lot harder to manage productive garden space once these weeds start spreading rapidly.
If you cut these runners down, however, you will limit their ability to spread as fast, keeping the garden tidy and preventing unwanted weeds from leeching onto essential resources in the ground.
2 – Promotes Tidiness & Regular Maintenance
Your strawberry runners can act as a helpful reminder to stay on top of garden maintenance. Regular pruning before they spread too much ensures your plants stay manageable and productive, preventing things from getting out of hand.
Doing this also simplifies harvesting for you, as you won’t have to navigate through excessive shoots and can easily access fully ripe berries when picking.
1 – More Stable Foundation
Regularly cutting runners ensures strawberry plants on the slightly younger side direct all their energy and resources towards establishing themselves and their root systems in the ground.
This results in healthier, more vigorous plants capable of producing larger, more robust berries — often in greater quantities.
Final Words
If I’m being completely honest with you, the improvement in performance and yield from cutting strawberry runners is rather subtle at first. However, after a season or two, I was genuinely amazed by the results!
My plants became noticeably healthier and more vibrant, with a significant boost in fruit yield. It’s somewhat of a slow process, but the long-term benefits are well worth it!
If you’re looking for a better harvest, definitely give this trick a try — your strawberries will thank you!
