We just finished the last major project of ‘09!  Though we’re still busy harvesting and we still have a myriad of small tasks to accomplish, it feels really good to have next year’s strawberries planted.  Strawberries are (of course) super popular.  Some of our CSA members and farmer’s market customers had never eaten berries picked at full ripeness, and they’ve been floored.  Multiple folks mentioned they could never go back to supermarket berries, even organic ones (something I discovered years ago).

At 4500 plants, next year’s patch is 25% larger than this year’s.  I know I could sell even more if I grew them, but devoting that much time to picking them is something I’m not yet willing to do.  My “go to” varieties are Seascape & Chandler.  Chandler (a June-bearer) is superbly sweet early in the season, but once our coastal weather gets slightly warmer, the well-rounded flavor of Seascapes (an everbearer) can’t be beat.  I always like to try new varieties, however, so I’m also planting some Albion, Tristar, Eversweet, and S1B (a new June-bearer bred by Lassen Canyon Nursery).  Speaking of which, Lassen Canyon Nursery is now offering the 1st Certified Organic strawberry plants in the country, grown at Prather Ranch in Macdoel, CA.

Ever since I began planting my strawberries into black plastic mulch, I knew I couldn’t go back.  I now have way less problems with weeds, mold, and slugs than when I planted into bare ground or straw mulch.  For the last number of years, I’ve been fall-planting my strawberries and keeping the patch for just one season.  The plants set roots in the fall before it gets too cold, then when spring comes they’re ready to rock.  The first year berries are extra large and the plants have very little disease.  I am keeping a portion of this year’s patch over for a second year for comparison, but I’ve been quite happy with my method to date.