Origins of Strawberries
Originally cultivated in ancient Rome to treat health issues like fevers, throat infections, kidney stones, gout, and diseases of the blood, liver, and spleen
Also used to mask bad breath and relieve melancholy
Was not cultivated in America until the 1700s when two American varieties naturally hybridized to create a larger berry
Today, top three countries for strawberry production are China, United States and Mexico
Growing tips
- Ensure your soil is well-drained, sandy loam, and rich in organic matter.
- Do not plant strawberries where tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, or eggplant have been grown in the past four years because these crops carry the root rot fungus that attacks strawberries
- Plants need around 1-1.5 inches of water a week
Strawberry runners emerge from the crown of the plant and develop a node with a tiny adventitious root tip on the bottom. This special type of primary root will grow down into the soil upon contact. This makes it very easy for plants to be transplanted and create identical plants
Pests Of Strawberries
Some pest to the plant are:
- Two-spotted spider mites
- bud weevils
- sap beetles
- Tarnished plant bugs
best ways to prevent infestation of these pests are by upkeep on weeds and checking plants, using flowing rows over plants, spraying plants with insecticidal soap, or creating a homemade spray using garlic or hot pepper mixed with water.
Indigenous Practices and Teachings
In indigenous culture, strawberries symbolize the heart and carry the origin stories and medicine
The Haudenosaunee people see the strawberry as a gift from the creator and the first berry as the season. Strawberries are celebrated in a special ceremony in mid-June and the fruit holds the distinction of being the Oneida name for June – Awʌ́hihte’
The story of the Skywoman also involves strawberries. As when the sky woman buried her daughter, a specific plant would grow on a specific body part In the Akwesasne creation story, strawberries grew over her heart. But in the Haudenosaunee creation story, strawberries and other medicinal plants grew at her feet.
Recipes
Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Ingredients
- 2 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup loosely packed basil leaves
- Ice
- 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice (about 7–9 lemons)
- 1 1/2–2 cups cold water or sparkling water*
Directions
- Start The Strawberry Basil Simple Syrup. Add strawberries, sugar, 1 cup water, and the basil to a saucepan. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat, stirring regularly to help break down the berries.
- Simmer & Infuse. Continue to simmer the strawberry simple syrup 10-15 minutes or so, until it smells fragrant and the syrup has thickened somewhat.
- Strain The Syrup. Set a strainer over a bowl or large liquid measuring cup and pour the strawberry basil simple syrup over the strainer to allow the liquid to drain into the bowl. Do NOT press down on the strawberries in an attempt to extract more juice or the simple syrup will be cloudy. (If that doesn’t bother you, go ahead!)
- Cool The Syrup. Allow the strawberry syrup to cool to at least room temperature, or chill in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
- Make Your Lemonade! When you’re ready to mix up your lemonade, add ice to a large pitcher and pour in the strawberry-basil simple syrup. Top with lemon juice, and add water. Stir to combine, and add your favorite garnishes!
- Sip Or Store. Pour lemonade into glasses & enjoy the right away, or you can make it without ice and store in the refrigerator 5-7 days.
Strawberry Pie
Ingredients
- 1 quart of strawberries
- 1/4 cup of water
- 7/8 cup of sugar
- 3 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 1 baked pie shell
Directions
- Mix 1/2 berries, cut up with the sugar and cornstarch in a pan. Cook over medium heat 2-3 minutes
- cut the remaining strawberries and put them on the bottom of the baked pie shell
- As the mixture cools pour over the berries in the pie shell
- Top with whip cream and garnish with few berries
- Refrigerate for a few hours before servings
Credits:
Created with images by eqroy - "Green baskets of juicy sweet red strawberries at the farmers market" • Serhiy Shullye - "Set of strawberries with leaves and blossom isolated" • badwiser - "Honey bee, pollination process" • Esin Deniz - "Organic, fresh fruit strawberry Field (Emiralem / Izmir / Turkey)"