Planting strawberries is a great way to get kids interested in gardening. You can let them plant and care for a whole patch, or just one or two plants, planted in a strawberry jar or garden container. Be sure to engage your kids in the planting process and let them get their hands dirty. Then show them how to care for and water their home-grown tasty treats. You can make this more fun for children by buying them their own watering can. Don’t forget to show kids how to pinch off plant runners to reap larger sized berries. Have kids do the harvesting so they enjoy the fruits of their labor.
You’ll find most kids enjoy helping in the garden. They’re allowed to get dirty, they get some exercise, actually learn and understand, first hand, where their food comes from and they’ll gain a good sense of nurture, nature and responsibility within the process.
Children love watching strawberries grow, they’ll see flowers bloom, garden bees, and fruit develop and turn color. After developing a sense of ownership of their plants, they will especially love eating the sweet fruits they grew themselves.
Here’s some tips to ensure strawberry success:
*When planting strawberries, be sure the crown is above soil level and the upper most roots are 1/4 inch beneath soil level, buried crowns rot and exposed roots dry out.
*Use mulch to keep berries clean, conserve moisture and control weeds. If planting in the garden, set plants 2-3 feet apart and let runners fill in until plants are 7-10 inches apart.
*If you want to keep it simple plant strawberries in a container. Just remember that container plantings need much more water than in-ground plantings, usually once a day; and if it's hot, twice. Strawberry pots are the obvious, best container choice for growing strawberries. You can fit several plants in one pot; just make sure whatever type of garden pot you use has good drainage.
*Strawberries like well drained fairly rich soil, so be sure to add compost or other organic matter when preparing the pot or patch.
*They need full sun, and frequent, deep soakings. Be sure to give adequate water during bearing season. They will grow in all zones and should be fed twice a year -- when growth begins and after the first crop. Use a complete fertilizer high in phosphorous for feedings.
Choosing Strawberry Plants – There are four different types of strawberry plants, June bearing, everbearing, day neutral and alpine. Bonnie Plants, the largest producer of veggies and herbs in the U.S., with 65 growing stations across the country, regionally serving 48 states, offers strawberry plants at your local garden retailer. Use transplants; they’re easier than seed and the growing process will take less time.
Strawberries are one of the easiest and best home garden fruits for kids to grow. They’ll produce fruit throughout the summer and children will love to pluck them right off the plant, wash and eat! If your kids have yet to plant and care for a fruit or vegetable, strawberries are a perfect choice for their first gardening experience. Kick off this gardening season with your kids and get them growing strawberries!
Article courtesy of Joan Casanova.
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Find strawberry recipes here:
Individual Strawberry Shortcakes
