Strawberries
 Strawberries have grown wild in Italy for
well over 2000 years. The Europeans discovered wild strawberries in Virginia
when they arrived in the late sixteenth century. Cultivated varieties
are significantly larger than wild strawberries and produce many runners.
Planting
Strawberries require a very rich soil to fruit well. They are purchased
as plants and not as seeds and are propagated by collecting and replanting
runners. The plants have shallow roots which makes weeding difficult.
Space the plants and mulch with a thick layer of straw to suppress weeds.
Runners drain the plant's energy from producing fruits. Root some runners
for future growth and remove the rest.
Tips
Since birds will collect the ripe berries before you do, use floating
row covers. You can also pick the fruitsbefore they are entirely ripe
but they will not taste as sweet. Strawberries taste best when used immediately.
Otherwise, freeze and use in preserves or syrups.
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