I had to drop everything and go check it out. Low and behold, I found a few ripe berries!
But as you can see, they're not very big yet and a few of them had already been discovered by those filthy, slimy, hateful, no-good slugs. Given the rains we've had, that should come as no big surprise.After I finished my garden work elsewhere, I dove head first into the strawberry patch to 1) pick what ripe berries there might be, 2) do a little weeding of the ever-present quack grass (ugh), and 3) check out the strawberry plants in general.
I was afraid with all the moisture we've had, and lack of sunny days since, there might be a mold problem. So, so happy to report nothing like mold was found (I really searched pretty well) and the plants and berries look healthy.
It's kind of hard to see the berries because they're so green yet but the plants are just loaded this year. We've definitely had the moisture so now if we can just get the sunshine needed, we should get a great crop.I'm thinking Strawberry Shortcake, how about you?
Ooooo, strawberries!! My favorite would be pound cake with strawberries and whipped cream.
ReplyDeleteCR - I could settle for strawberries and whipped cream over pound cake very easily! :o)
DeleteI always make a strawberry pie for hubby with the first batch. I guess I'm missing that right now.
ReplyDeleteGlad you don't have a mold issue with all the rain.
Sue - We usually eat the first (good sized) batch sliced in a bowl with milk and a little sugar sprinkled on top! Tonight Papa Pea ate these plain for his dessert.
DeleteStrawberry Ice Cream, Strawberry Milkshakes, Strawberry Sundaes, Strawberries on Cereal, Strawberries on Strawberries. There is a new variety now called Albion that produces thru summer.
ReplyDeleteTombstone Livestock - Do I detect a fondness for strawberries? :o)
DeleteWe had about 4 small ripe berries off our 7 plants too. I wish we had a patch as big as yours though cause I love strawberries.
ReplyDeleteSparkless - Do you have pick-your-own place by you? You might be able to get your fill that way.
Deleteme ,I'm thinking they will be just ripe for picking by the time i hitch hike up there--lol
ReplyDeletejudy - You just get out there and stick your thumb out, Girl!
DeleteStrawberry shortcake ...... yes, please. Or any other way you want to serve it is fine with me as long as I am sitting across the table from you. I picked blueberries on Friday at a local farm. The bushes were loaded and I will be going back for sure. I love both kinds of berries on my cereal and I have blueberry pancakes for breakfast every Sunday. Husband is not a big fruit eater (except for apples) so mostly these are all mine, mine, MINE!!! Yahahaha!
ReplyDeleteKaren L. - How can your hubby pass up fresh berries? I could literally (well, I *think* I could!) live on them in the summer!
DeleteWhat a treat to harvest your very own homegrown strawberries! Learning about your Minnesota growing season is one of the things I enjoy most about your blog. Our local strawberries are already gone here in SC. They ripen in May here. Strawberry Shortcake sounds like a good dessert to me!
ReplyDeleteLisa - You have just encouraged me! When I post about things ripening or being ready for harvest up here I always kinda feel like the slowest kid in the class. I mean we're so far behind just about any other place in the country that I feel nobody can want to read about my stuff when it FINALLY comes in!
DeleteI'm in the midst of the Great Strawberry War - on one side (the Hero), Moi. On the other side (boo) chipmunks and slugs. Eeeuw. I think we're tied. Those are lovely berries - I bet you will get a truck load!
ReplyDeleteSusan - We have plenty of chipmunks around here but they don't seem to bother the strawberries. Why is that? (I should be thanking my lucky stars, no?) Now the slugs are another story. Ish-eeeuww-gak-shudder! Hate 'em.
DeleteYum! I can't wait to see what you do with all the berries this year!
ReplyDeleteErin - Eat 'em, eat 'em, eat 'em! ;o) I'll freeze some for smoothies, make some jam, give some away and if I have the crop I think I'm going to have . . . sell some to a restaurant in town this year!
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