The Amazing World of Strawberries

Until the middle of the 19th century, strawberries were enjoyed mostly by the wealthy alone. However, as transportation improved, strawberries began to be shipped to other parts of the world, and more people were able to enjoy them. Strawberries are now the most popular berry fruit in the world. The major producers are the United States, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

How to Select and Store

Strawberries are very perishable, therefore they cannot be stored for more than two or three days. Choose berries that are plump, red with attached caps, firm, and free from mold. They will not ripen any more once they are picked, so avoid those that have yellow or green patches. They will not be as flavorful as the red ones. Medium sized berries usually have a better flavor than the very large ones. Strawberries can be kept in the refrigerator for one or two days. Frozen berries will last up to one year.

Safety

Allergic reactions can occur with virtually any food, but some foods cause more problems than others. Strawberries are high on the list of foods causing allergic reactions. Commercially produced berries may also contain traces of pesticides. If you want to avoid strawberries with pesticide residues, choose only those that are grown organically.

Home Gardens

Strawberries make an excellent crop for home gardens. They produce fruit very quickly and require little space. Each plant may produce up to a quart of berries during the first year. When the plants are cared for properly, they will be productive for up to five years.

Planting

Strawberries should be planted in the spring as soon as weather permits and the soil is dry enough to till. In the South, they can also be planted during the fall. You simply need to cover the plants with a layer of mulch to protect them from the cold. Choose your site carefully. You need a place in your garden that has sandy soil rich in organic matter. The soil must be well drained and in full sun. If your garden has a gentle slope, that would be good, too. You don't want the soil to remain wet, but you do want to have a water supply close by. Strawberries need good irrigation, especially during the dry season.

Strawberries should be planted in holes large enough for the roots to spread out. Be sure to bring the soil up around the crown. Set the plants 12” to 16” apart in rows that are about 28” apart. If you plant them is beds, you can space the plants a little closer. Keep the crown slightly above or level with the ground. Strawberry plants have shallow roots, so they need to be watered often and well during the growing season. Drip irrigation is recommended to prevent moisture from rotting the berries.

Strawberries can also be grown in containers. They make beautiful, as well as delicious, ornamental plants to decorate your deck or patio. No matter where you plant them, just make sure that they have full sun and the right temperatures. Long days with warm temperatures encourage the growth of leaves and runners. Short cool days, on the other hand, are necessary for the formation of blooms. Strawberries have firmer fruit and better flavor if they are grown in areas where days are sunny and nights are cool.

Types

There are three general varieties of strawberries:

1. June-bearing: These plants produce fruit during a two-week period in the spring. June-bearers produce flowers, fruits, and runners.
2. Everbearing strawberries produce fruit three times during the season-spring, summer, and fall. This type of plant does not produce runners.
3. A new type and a close relative to the ever bearers are the day-neutral strawberries. These produce fruit all through the season, and they have only a few runners.

Everbearing and day-neutral varieties are excellent for small spaces and containers. They can be grown in terraced beds, barrels, or used as borders or ground covers.

Facts About Strawberries

Did you know:

1. That over 53% of seven to nine year olds picked strawberries as their favorite fruit?
2. That eight strawberries will provide 140% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C for kids?
3. That strawberries are the first fruit to ripen in the spring?
4. That one cup of strawberries is only 55 calories?
5. That California produces one billion pounds of strawberries each year?
6. That the strawberry is the only fruit with seeds of the outside?
7. That 94% of United States households eat strawberries?
8. That if all the strawberries produced in California in one year were laid berry to berry, they would go around the the world 15 times?
9. That there is a museum in Belgium just for strawberries?
10. That Florida ranks second in the production of strawberries?

These were taken from a fact list Strawberries and More by the University of Illinois Extension