Double transplanting of strawberries - advice?

Howdy, strangers! Oh, wait, it's me that's never here, never calls, never writes!

So here's my less than ideal situation. As a few of you will remember from when I used to be here on a regular basis, I used to own a restaurant. It was sold a year ago, and at that time, I moved my strawberries from the restaurant to a friend's house, SFG boxes, Mel's Mix and all. Yesterday, I moved them from her house, but I won't be able to install SFG boxes until spring.

Right now they are in a bucket. My plan is to put them into wooden barrels, that have old Mel's Mix, overcrowding them, and then re-transplant them in the spring when I can put them into their next, hopefully permanent homes. (Poor little transients! Although they are happy little plants, at least so far!)

In order to help them survive the winter, I should surround the barrels with something like straw, but I don't want to invite all the local rodents in. I'm thinking about maybe surrounding the barrels with bags of compost that I'll need for next year's boxes. (I had gorgeous compost piles at the restaurant, but had to leave them behind. )

Comments, suggestions, ideas?

I know that worst case, if they don't make it, I can start over. It didn't take me long to go from a few plants to this as a one day's harvest

I know, I know, those of you who've been around since I used to be around have seen this photo a million times! I admit it, I'm proud of it! Any excuse to post that photo makes me happy. And it made me ridiculously happy to work with my little strawberry plants yesterday. DH is very tolerant when I tell him how happy it made me, but you folks actually get it!

Anyway, advice, suggestions, thoughts?  Thanks!

Hi, martha! I think the idea of placing the bags of compost around the containers with the strawberry transplants is a win-win! You get the insulation without the rodent habitat, and your compost is right there where you need it in the Spring! I say try it, but I am sure that lots of folks have more experience than I with strawberries.

BTW, your picture makes my mouth water, LOL!

Hi Martha!  Good to see you!!

I agree with SR.  I've found that plants are very resilient creatures...

That sounds like a great idea, Martha! And I do like that picture.

There are also big fabric bags that let you compost directly in them, that could serve much the same purpose, but the ones I have are a bit tall and you would have to move them if you want any sun on the beds.

What if you heel them in anywhere for now and pull them up once your box is built? You know those dang things grow like weeds here in NE.

CC

Oh Martha, I am green with envy.  My plants are currently quite happy and put out a few strawberries a day but nothing like your production.  I just keep at it.  The plants are quite vigorous and half of the strawberries get chewed on by some little critters under the straw.  More work to do. 

BTW - they are growing great in the aquaponics.