I had some strawberry plants in a small tray on the patio two years ago, they didn't do very well and I didn't bother to save any runners.
They made up their own mind without any help from me, sent out runners and are now growing in no soil whatsoever - around the edge of the sundeck, on pure stone and a bit of gravel! I had around 15 delicious, sweet, fresh, sunwarmed strawberries from them this week.
Brave, determined little things.
Oh splendid! Such bravery against the odds.
Thingummie Major put out some more strawberry plants for us this year, and they appear to be struggling somewhat.
But the funny thing is, he used some compost out of our kitchen composter, and now we have some magnificent acorn squash [which leftovers, including seeds, I must have put in the composter last fall] in the midst of our strawberry patch.
I do think it takes strawberry plants a good two seasons to set up and look enthusiastic.
That's amazing, Merry! Treat 'em rough!