Featured Fruit: Strawberry

Strawberry Fragaria

Strawberry plants are composed of sets of three saw-toothed leaflets growing on slender, 8-20 inch tall stalks.  The berries can be white, pink, or red and are fleshy and juicy.  Strawberries are generally self fruitful.

There are three classifications of strawberries based on when they flower and produce fruit.  June bearers start making flower buds in the fall, fruit the next summer, and then send off runners.  Ever bearers fruit twice a season, setting their flower buds under both long and short days.  Day neutrals make buds under all day lengths as soon as the foliage is mature, producing fruits, flowers, and runners all at the same time.

Strawberries prefer gentle, southerly slopes with protected from the wind and from spring frosts.  They need soil with a good drainage and generally need at least one inch of soil a week for best production.

Strawberry Butter

1 pound sweet butter at room temperature (NOT margarine)

3/4 c. fresh strawberries, finely chopped

1/4 c. powdered sugar

With an electric mixer, whip the butter, then add remaining ingredients and whip until light and fluffy.  Serve on fresh, warm rolls or pancakes.  Store in the refrigerator.  Makes 21/2 cups.