How Long Can You Keep Bare Root Strawberries Before Planting?

Bare root strawberry plants are a great way to start a new strawberry patch or expand an existing one. They are inexpensive, easy to plant, and establish quickly But bare root plants are perishable and need to be planted soon after receiving them So how long can you actually keep bare root strawberries before getting them in the ground?

In this article, we’ll discuss the best storage methods and timeline for planting bare root strawberry plants. Follow these simple guidelines and you’ll have the healthiest strawberry crowns ready for maximum fruit production this season!

What Are Bare Root Strawberry Plants?

Bare root strawberries are dormant strawberry crowns that arrive without any soil attached to the roots They are dug up from fields during the winter when the plants are dormant. Then the soil is washed off the roots before packaging and shipping the crowns across the country.

Bare root strawberry plants include the crown, roots, and sometimes small leaves. The crown is the central woody part that the roots and leaves sprout from. This is where new growth will emerge after planting.

These young dormant plants are cheaper and easier to ship than potted strawberries. But they have a shorter shelf life and need more careful handling.

Why You Should Plant Them Quickly

Bare root strawberry plants respire slowly while dormant, But they still need some moisture and cool temps to avoid damage

Here are the biggest threats to storing bare root strawberry crowns:

• Drying out – Lack of moisture will quickly kill the sensitive roots and new growth.

• Mold – Excess moisture can lead to rotting crowns and roots.

• Early sprouting – Warmer temperatures cause the plants to break dormancy too early. If a cold snap hits after growth starts, it will damage or kill the young plants.

That’s why it is highly recommended to plant bare root strawberries as soon as possible after receiving them. The shorter duration they are out of the ground, the better.

But what if you simply can’t plant them right away? Let’s discuss how to buy some extra time…

Storing Bare Root Strawberry Plants

With proper storage methods, you can keep bare root strawberry plants for 1-2 weeks before planting.

Follow these tips to store crowns:

Keep Them Cool

Aim for storage temperatures between 32-40°F. The refrigerator works great, just don’t freeze the plants. An unheated garage or root cellar are other good options.

Increase Humidity

Prevent drying out by keeping the roots moist. Place plants in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel. Mist the roots every few days as needed.

Avoid Light Exposure

Light and warmth will break dormancy. Keep plants in the dark.

Allow Air Circulation

Poking some small holes in the storage bag allows fresh air exchange without drying the roots.

Inspect Frequently

Check for mold, shriveling, or sprouting every 2-3 days. Discard any unhealthy plants.

Emergency Storage Plan

What if your bare root strawberry order gets delayed or you’re not ready to plant? Take these emergency steps to store them:

• Pot them – Plant crowns in containers with potting mix and water well. Keep pots outdoors in a cold frame or unheated garage until ready to transplant into the garden.

• Heel them in – Temporarily plant crowns close together in a trench outdoors. Cover roots with soil or mulch. Dig them back up once your planting bed is prepared.

• Keep them chilled – For 1-2 weeks maximum, store crowns wrapped in damp paper towels inside a perforated plastic bag in the fridge.

While not ideal, these methods buy you a bit more time before the strawberries break dormancy.

How Long Can Bare Root Strawberries Be Stored?

So what’s the maximum duration you can store bare root strawberry plants before planting them?

Ideally, plant them immediately after receiving the shipment. The quicker they get in the ground, the faster roots establish and new growth starts.

But with proper cold storage and humidity, you can keep healthy bare root strawberry crowns for up to 2 weeks maximum.

Any longer than that, the roots start to deteriorate or the plants can come out of dormancy too early. Growth that begins indoors will be damaged once moved outdoors into the garden.

While some expert gardeners claim they’ve stored bare roots for 6-8 weeks, that is risky and can result in poorer plant establishment and fewer fruits. Play it safe and stick within 1-2 weeks for best results.

Ordering Tips

Order bare root strawberries early enough so they arrive 1-2 weeks before your anticipated planting date.

Check the estimated shipping dates from the nursery so that the order doesn’t show up too far in advance. Most nurseries start shipping strawberry crowns in early spring.

If you need to store the bare root plants for the maximum duration, follow the humidity and temperature guidelines outlined above.

Select day-neutral strawberry varieties if you have to plant later in the growing season. June-bearing types need more lead time to establish and produce fruit that same year.

Finally, resist the urge to order more crowns than you can plant in a week or two. It’s better to get a second shipment later than try to store a huge batch of crowns for too long.

Planting Strawberries After Storage

Once you’re ready to get those stored bare root strawberry plants in the ground, follow these tips:

• Inspect roots and discard any mushy or moldy plants. Trim off dead roots.

• Soak crowns in room temperature water for 1 hour before planting to rehydrate.

• Dig a hole deep enough to cover roots and crown while leaving growing tip exposed.

• Backfill soil and press firmly to remove air pockets.

• Water newly planted crowns daily for the first week.

• Consider using a transplant fertilizer to reduce transplant shock.

• Add an organic mulch like straw to retain moisture while plants establish.

• Protect from any expected frosts with row covers.

Even if you had to store bare root strawberry plants for a week or two, they should still establish and thrive with proper planting and care. Just follow cold storage best practices and plant them as soon as you can.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep bare root strawberries fresh?

Keep crowns humid, cold (32-40°F), and in the dark. Store in plastic bags with damp paper towels. Mist roots every few days and re-wrap. Discard any moldy or shriveled plants.

What do you do if strawberries start sprouting before planting?

If growth starts indoors, plant the crowns in containers and grow them on until it’s warm enough to transplant outside. Try to avoid letting bare roots break dormancy too early.

Can you freeze bare root strawberry plants?

No, freezing will kill them. Refrigerator temps around 35°F are ideal for short term storage. Avoid freezing temperatures.

How long do bare root strawberries last unplanted?

Ideally plant them right after receiving crowns in the mail. With proper cold, humid storage you can keep healthy bare roots for up to 2 weeks maximum before root deterioration or sprouting occurs.

What happens if bare root plants dry out?

Dehydration will damage or kill the sensitive roots and crown. Always keep bare root crowns moist until planting. Soak in water before planting dry roots.

Final Thoughts

Bare root strawberry plants need to be planted soon after receiving them for best results. But with some simple storage methods, you can buy yourself an extra week or two before getting them in the ground.

The keys are keeping crowns cold (32-40°F), humid, and in the dark. Inspect frequently and plant immediately once conditions allow.

Following these guidelines, bare root strawberry plants can be stored for 1-2 weeks maximum before root or sprout damage occurs. For easiest planting and best fruit yields, get them in the soil as soon as possible!