7 Berry Growing Tips for You!

Tip #1: All blackberry and raspberry plants are self-fertile and will have good fruit production on their own. However if a second variety is planted nearby, they will have heavier fruit production.

Tip #2: Avoid planting strawberries in very low-lying areas prone to spring frosts.

Tip #3: Mulch strawberry plant rows and aisles with hay or newspaper to keep weed population down.

Tip #4: Do not plant strawberry, raspberry or blackberry plants where eggplants, peppers, potatoes or tomatoes have been grown within the past 3 years.

Tip #5: Pinch off any strawberry blooms on your first year planted strawberry plants. This allows them to put efforts into growing larger for second year production.

Tip #6: Plant blackberry and raspberry plants 2 to 3 feet apart with rows that are 3 to 5 feet apart.

Tip #7: Plant strawberry plants 1 to 1 1/2 feet apart with rows approximately 2 feet apart.

Enjoy Strawberries from Your Home Garden

Just the thought of strawberries brings to mind summer, strawberry shortcake, strawberry jelly and chocolate covered strawberries. Bite into a big red juicy strawberry and it explodes in your mouth making your tongue tingle with delight. With the red heart shape of the strawberry, no wonder it’s the symbol for Venus, the goddess of love. Maybe that’s why strawberries go so perfectly with chocolate and champagne.

A member of the rose family, it is documented that strawberries have been enjoyed as a domesticated fruit as early as the 1400’s. Now, we know the nutritional value of strawberries. They contain amino acids and beta-carotene as well as A, C, E, K, B-complex vitamins.  An excellent source of calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, copper and zinc, strawberries are high in sugar so should be eaten in moderation.

Some of my favorite ways to enjoy the fruits of strawberry plants are serving on waffles (Yummy!), in a spinach salad with walnuts, in a cucumber & strawberry salad, or served with only a splash of balsamic vinegar. Harvest strawberries in early summer and freeze to preserve them for future use.

Tips for enjoying strawberries:

• -Do not wash strawberries until ready to eat
• -Remove caps after washing
• -Store in colander (or vented container) in refrigerator for air circulation
• -Remove from refrigerator 1 hour before serving
• -To whiten teeth – mash one strawberry and mix with baking soda, brush on teeth and leave on for 5 minutes then rinse

Links:

• Planting and Growing info for strawberry plants
• Freezing information and recipes