Strawberries

[Astronuc]

Well, strawberries are one of the most popular berries, but I have always preferred raspberries, blackberries and blueberries, especially served with vanilla ice cream or heavy cream. 

However, I have a renewed appreciation for strawberries based on a claim that they have anti-cancer benefits.

So - Here's to Strawberries! 

Planting Strawberries

Strawberries will do best in soil that has been thoroughly prepared. If your future strawberry bed was plowed last year, you're ahead of the game. But if you're starting with land that was in sod, allow an extra year or the soil will be tough to cultivate, and you'll really pay later when you are confronted with weeds (especially grass) and grubs. Strawberries do best in soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Apply aged manure and a complete fertilizer such as 5-10-10 (1/2 pound per 25-foot row) before planting in the spring. To further improve the soil, you can plant a winter cover crop. If you have heavy soil, raised beds will provide better drainage and encourage healthy roots.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawberry

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_strawberry

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingstrawberries1.shtml

About strawberry cultivars -

http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/hort/g06135.htm

http://www.ucop.edu/ott/strawberry/cultivars.htm - California is a big producer of strawberries for the US market.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG5625.html

http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/pubs/fls/OCRPDF/107.pdf - NY and NY US

http://sci.agr.ca/stjean/publication/web/strawberry-fraise_e.htm - Canada

 

[Charity]

I never met a berry I didn't like! Strawberries are wild here, very small and tart. It can take me a whole day to pick enough to make a jam from.
 A old abandoned homestead nearby, must of planted a lot of hybrid berries years ago. We go there mid June and pick tons of bigger ones. A few years back I made some wine from them, very tasty.

[Astronuc]

I think I'm headed to Charity's this summer, with a bucket and shovel. 

Hey Charity, take some pictures - pleeeease!