First Sugars of the Season

Asides from the sweet taste of a well rounded beet, nothing beats the delicate yet overwhelmingly sweet flavors of the first strawberries of the season. Yet this is the part that I love and dread the most, as other voracious critters (not counting children) also dedicate their life in the pursuit of the perfect berry... And I mean slugs.

Contrarily to most popular beliefs, slugs do find some non-green or foliage shape things delicious. One of them is the fruit of my labor. I have tried tenaciously to avoid the disappointment of having to throw away or severely maim the round plum delicacies but thus far to no avail. It's like they are small scarlet beacon of light in their slimy dreadful existence. None the less, when proper care and a hasty pick, I can usually eat them for several weeks, or at least until the blueberries are ready to deliver their own tart punch of flavor and antioxidants.

Strawberries are extremely easy to grow. in my garden, they create runners and like a well rehearsed prison break, they launch their ropes over the wall of their container and attempt the great propagation of the century. Some will say that there could be worst weeds to have around but most gardeners will regard any plants with that much determination with a leery eye.

I currently have an entire 3 feet by 7 feet wooden container of them, saves me from some unruliness at least until a moment later, they touch ground again. It also allows me to keep SOME undesirables out. What I however did not do in my infinite wisdom is considered other varieties to ensure a long and prolific harvest.

I believe that there are 3 categories of strawberries: June Bearing, Ever Bearing and Alpine.

As you may have guessed, June harvests in June, Ever bearing should produce all Summer long and Alpine is a smaller, daintier variety. Recently I have acquired a pot perfect for strawberries. At the risk of biting more than I can chew this year (a bad habit of mine in the garden), I am tempted to try the Alpine variety. It seem to describe the wild strawberries of my childhood, those so small and so sweet that it produces the world most delicious jam, Godly really.

I shall report on my splurge within the coming weeks!... Unless I come to my senses. In the meantime, it's a fight to the death with my slug nemesis... Who apparently enjoy potato plants too?!

P.S. Courtesy dictates that my youngest palate partake of the berry first. Enjoy my child!