There are several spacing systems for strawberries. The one mentioned above is likely the matte system. However, in the home landscape, you can grow strawberries more loosely, even as a ground cover, although they may not produce as much. If you are satisfied with your strawberries’ production and health, then you might want to leave them alone. However, if they seem overcrowded, or you want them to produce more, you might start by thinning out the plants when they are dormant in fall. One idea would be to transplant any of the small plants that are growing off runners; keep the mother plants where they are. Plant the baby plants in the chosen prepared area, using the spacing that you want. Eventually, the original plants will slow their production (after about 4 years), and you might want to then pull those up and start over; meanwhile, you will have your new rows with the younger plants. Strawberries usually produce best in their second and third year. For more information, you might contact your county’s Cooperative Extension; they might have publications on strawberry planting in your area. See: http://www.almanac.com/content/cooperative-extension-services to get started.
There are several spacing systems for strawberries. The one mentioned above is likely the matte system. However, in the home landscape, you can grow strawberries more loosely, even as a ground cover, although they may not produce as much. If you are satisfied with your strawberries’ production and health, then you might want to leave them alone. However, if they seem overcrowded, or you want them to produce more, you might start by thinning out the plants when they are dormant in fall. One idea would be to transplant any of the small plants that are growing off runners; keep the mother plants where they are. Plant the baby plants in the chosen prepared area, using the spacing that you want. Eventually, the original plants will slow their production (after about 4 years), and you might want to then pull those up and start over; meanwhile, you will have your new rows with the younger plants. Strawberries usually produce best in their second and third year. For more information, you might contact your county’s Cooperative Extension; they might have publications on strawberry planting in your area. See: http://www.almanac.com/content/cooperative-extension-services to get started.