Strawberries – A Reminder

When you’re planning your garden for spring – be sure to plan for strawberries. They’re healthful, delicious and easy to grow requiring a minimum of space.  Put them in soil rich in organic matter and mulch heavily.  That’s about it other than harvesting.

Grow in a Container if you Have To

If you have problems with deer or live in the city, try growing about 8 to 12 plants in a large container with a circumference about 18 to 24 inches. (They don’t mind being crowded.) You’ll have to water of course, but let them dry out between waterings.

A Lot from a Few

I read some place that from 25 transplants you can harvest an excess of 50 pounds of berries one year after planting. Although I’ve never weighed my berries, I did note – that from 25 transplants – I froze 30 quarts of strawberries last season.  In addition we ate at least that many fresh — probably more.  And – there were strawberry muffins — yummm.

Store-Boughts Don’t Qualify

Strawberries from the stores (or even from conventional pick-your-own places) don’t qualify as healthful — or delicious for that matter.

Conventional farmers rely on a mixture of pesticides.  Sometimes as many as 54 harmful pesticide residues are detected in strawberries that await the consumer in the grocery store.

Great Health Benefits

Boy! was I impressed when I did a bit of research to find out the health benefits of strawberries.

Strawberries have been ranked an excellent source of Vitamin C and manganese. They are said to qualify as good source of fiber, iodine, potassium, folate, riboflavin, vitamin B5, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B6 and Vitamin k, magnesium and copper.

They have something in them called anthocyanins that not only provide the red color, but serve as antioxidants that protect cell structures in the body and prevent oxygen damage in the body’s organs.

Two Tips to Help You Get the Most Health Benefits from Your Strawberries

#1 – If you leave the berries whole when you freeze them, they will retain a higher level of their Vitamin C content.

#2 – That good stuff called anthocyanins can only be found in fresh and frozen berries.  Strawberries that are processed or otherwise preserved loose those good guys that help your body.

Final Words

Strawberries are one of the most beautiful and delicious fruits.  If you don’t have some already, start them this year.

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Additional Information

• Here’s a source for Earliglow Strawberries.  I think they’re the sweetest.

• For additional reading on how to grow this delicious fruit: 16 Points to Help you Grow and Enjoy Strawberries —

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