Mmmm strawberries ...

It was the taste of a single, home-grown organic strawberry that converted Rick to the ways of the allotment a few years back, so soft fruit plays a pretty central role in my summer growing plans. It's exciting to see the strawberry plants thriving and flowering.

I've surrounded the plants with a thick mulch of grass mowings from the neighbouring field to prevent moisture loss and weed growth, and to give the developing fruit a soft, dry bed to lie on. All we need to do now is set up the netting to stop the mice and birds getting to the fruit before we do. We usually leave a couple of plants uncovered so they get their share. From now on I'll remove any suckers that appear as they'll only draw away the plant's energy from the important matter of producing fruit. A few seaweed feeds, and pounds of soft, juicy strawberries are within my grasp.

Strawberry patches should ideally be moved every three years to prevent the spread of infection and it's dead easy to replace any old plants by allowing a few to sucker new plants.

I like my strawberries served with a big dollop of marscapone, or maybe simply drizzled with a touch of balsamic vinegar or whizzed up into a milkshake if they're past their best. If I can keep a few back I'll try making some jam this year, too.

Comments

[Clare]

I'm with you on the balsamic vinegar - strawberries plus a small grinding of black pepper are gorgeous too!

[Mark Parsons]

Think I just figured out why they are called STRAW berries. I think the blindingly obvious has been starring me in the face for a while. Oh well I mustn't over tax my brain cell..... :)