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Strawberries: easy to grow, easier to EAT!

June 4, 2015
Karen Showalter's picture
Karen Showalter
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Stawberries: the perfect fruit. Everyone loves strawberries, even picky eaters. And this is the time of year to find fresh, local and perfect berries. In a quest to extend the strawberry season as long as possible, I've pulled together a list of easy berry recipes for now and later (if they last)! 

Of course the ultimate way to ensure a constant supply of strawberries is to grow your own! Scroll down for tips on how to get started. 

Yummy strawberry recipes: 

1. Frozen. Strawberries are super easy to freeze. Just wash the berries, cut out the stems, pat them dry and freeze them in a ziploc bag. Frozen berries are perfect for baking, smoothies and more any time of the year. I actually love them half-defrosted, as a frozen treat. Freezing is a great way to buy and save berries in bulk, when they're tasty and cheap! 

2. Smoothies. Of course, strawberries are the perfect ingredient for a healthy smoothie. Throw in some ice and yogurt, and you're set.  

3. Popsicles. Homemade popsicles are a great alternative to ice cream. Just mash some fruit and yogurt, and pour into a popsicle mold (even a small dixie cup will work). What a great alternative to ice cream! Check out more tips for making your own icepops.

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4. Salads. Strawberries are a wonderful and juicy addition to a salad! Try pairing them with some nuts, cheese abd balsamic vinegar...yum! 

5. Jams and Jellies. And finally, and perhaps on the "more intensive" end of the spectrum, making jam or jelly is a fun way to extend the harvest. You do NOT need a ton of expensive equipment to make jams and jellies. Check out one of my favorite blogs, Food in Jars, for excellent tips on how to make small-batch preserves. And here are some basics, to encourage you to try it out: You'll need fruit, sugar (or substitute), jars and lids, and perhaps pectin (which basically reduces your cooking time). You'll cook your ingredients in a pot until they reach about 220 degrees, then pour and seal in sterilized jars. It's that easy. Find many more details, recipe and tips on the Food in Jars site. 

 

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Growing Strawberries: 

I've had lots of success growing strawberries over the past couple of years. In fact, they've spread so quickly in my garden I've had to keep them from overwhelming nearby plants. For this reason, and in particular if you don't have tons of space, strawberries do really nicely in pots. 
 
Strawberries prefer a sunny, well-drained site. My garden is actually pretty wet (clay), and they still do well. They spread by runners (or stolon), which are effectively horizontal roots that spread along the top of the ground. When planting, be sure to keep the crown (where the plant meets the root) just above the soil line. Strawberries have shallow roots too, so check them regularly to be sure they don't dry out. Harvest your berries when they're red; if you pick them earlier they'll turn red but they won't reach maximum sweetness! 
 
Check a local garden center or nursery for varieties. Many fruit early in the season, although some newer varieties (so-called "day-neutral) will produce fruit all season long. And of course, once you harvest consider one (or all) of the tasty recipes above! 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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