Now is the time to lift and divide strawberries – for a bigger and better harvest in the years ahead

I remember planting small strawberry plugs into containers as a child and watching them produce succulent red fruits over the school vacation. This process remains just as satisfying today as it was back then. Strawberries are one of the easiest fruits to grow, and when gardening in summer, picking and immediately eating one or two (or seven) strawberries is a nice perk of the job.

We all want to grow plants that produce plenty of delicious fruits, and an essential part of this is learning how and when to lift and divide strawberries. Transplanting strawberries can help to encourage vigorous growth and, as part of the process, you can remove dead or diseased patches and refresh the soil.

Here, I share all I know about how to lift and divide strawberry plants. Having done this in different gardens where I previously worked as a professional gardener, I know that taking a little bit of time to do this now will pay dividends in the future, ensuring you not only have a bumper crop but also that you can grow bigger strawberries in the years ahead.

How to lift and divide strawberries

Strawberries are versatile crops that can be grown in towers, hanging baskets, pots and vertical gardens. However you decide to grow strawberries, it is a good idea to thin congested plants every few years. By replanting healthy clumps and refreshing the soil, your strawberry harvest will dramatically improve.

When is the right time to lift and divide strawberries

Strawberry plants can always be relied upon in most kitchen gardens. So long as you have sunshine and warmth, strawberries will thrive. However, one of the most common problems with strawberries is that their productivity tends to slump after three to four years.

For this reason, many gardeners will lift and divide strawberries once every three years, which will help to rejuvenate your plot, maintain plant vigor and encourage fruiting.

The best time to do this is between the end of summer and early fall. When the temperatures begin to drop but the evenings remain mild is the moment at which to reach for your garden tools. While this will vary on where you reside and your US hardiness zone, I recommend doing so somewhere between the end of August and the end of September.

In northern regions, it is best to do this as early as possible in this bracket, as late summer can often experience rapid temperature fluctuations. This is important because you want to give your plants some time to settle and establish before the cold winter months.

How to lift and divide strawberries

Towards the end of summer, identify any old and congested patches of strawberry plants that could benefit from lifting and thinning. Learning how to divide plants is relatively simple and requires only a few essential gardening tools that you should already have in the garden shed.

First, put on some gardening gloves, available from Amazon, and carefully push aside strawberry foliage. You should be able to see the crown of each clump. Then, using a garden fork, also available from Amazon, gently tease the soil. Work slowly, angling the fork in different positions around the clump. Eventually, the soil will loosen.

Using your hands, remove and shake some of the soil from the roots. You might be able to separate small runners and stems using your hands, but you might need to use a gardening knife or Hori Hori blade. While this can feel a little destructive, thinning your plants will dramatically increase growth, so do not be afraid to significantly reduce your strawberry patch. Each new plant should only have a few stems but be sure they are attached to healthy roots.

Plant these new, smaller clumps at least 6 inches apart in a weed-free and recently mulched bed. I recommend adding plenty of organic matter to your bed, which will replenish the soil and encourage new growth. This is particularly important if you are replanting in the same spot.

Any excess plants can be cut up and composted. Finally, it is important to give your strawberry plants a good, deep watering. I would do this at least once or twice a week during the end of summer and early fall as they establish.

FAQs

Should I fertilize strawberries after moving them?

Learning when to fertilize strawberries is important, particularly when they are newly planted. At this time in the growing season, you should not feed with a high potash fertilizer, as this will encourage the plant to produce flowers and fruits. For these smaller, divided clumps, you want to use bone meal, available from Walmart, which will help your strawberries to establish new roots before the winter months. One generous application should be enough to give your plants a boost.

How long will it take for my new plants to produce fruits?

In general, your strawberry plants will produce the best growth and fruits during their second and third year. While you might enjoy some fruits in the first summer, you can expect a bumper crop in two to three years. For this reason, it is a good idea to have a mixture of new and old strawberry plants on rotation, so you can ensure you have a good harvest every year.

When lifting and dividing your strawberry plants, it is a good idea to work slowly and methodically, inspecting the foliage and roots for any signs of disease or pest damage. Some of the most common strawberry diseases can be easily identified and treated, such as gray mold, which will turn green leaves white or gray. This can ruin your strawberry harvest, so add any diseased or nibbled plants to your green waste, and keep only healthy plants in your beds.