Strawberries are a beloved fruit, enjoyed fresh, in desserts, and even in homemade jams. If you’ve ever thought about growing your own strawberries, you’ll be happy to know that they’re not only delicious but also quite rewarding to cultivate in your garden. In this post, we’ll explore how to grow strawberries, the nutritional benefits they offer, how to deal with pests, the importance of pollinators in ensuring a fruitful harvest, how your chickens will love them too, and the surprising medicinal benefits of strawberry leaves and roots.
Planting & Caring for Your Strawberry Garden
Strawberries thrive in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. When planting your strawberry plants, choose a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight each day. You can plant strawberries in raised beds, containers, or directly in the ground. Make sure to space them about 12-18 inches apart to allow for healthy growth.
Regular watering is key, especially during the flowering and fruiting stages. Mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture and prevent weeds. Strawberries prefer slightly acidic soil, so consider testing your soil's pH and adjusting if necessary.
Nutritional Benefits of Strawberries
Not only are strawberries delicious, but they are also packed with nutrients. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, which boosts the immune system, as well as fiber, which aids in digestion. Strawberries are also rich in antioxidants, which help protect your body from harmful free radicals and promote heart health.
In addition to their impressive vitamin and mineral content, strawberries are low in calories and high in water content, making them a refreshing and healthy snack.
Dealing with Strawberry Pests
While strawberries are relatively easy to grow, they can attract a few pests. Some of the most common culprits include:
- Aphids: Tiny insects that suck the sap from plants, potentially causing deformities in leaves.
- Slugs & Snails: These pests feed on the fruit, leaving holes and damage.
- Strawberry Weevils: A beetle that targets the fruit, laying eggs that hatch into larvae that feast on the berries.
To manage pests, regularly inspect your strawberry plants for signs of damage and use natural pest control methods. You can introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs to help control aphid populations or use copper strips to deter slugs. Organic pest sprays can also help keep unwanted visitors at bay without harming the environment.
The Role of Pollinators in Your Strawberry Garden
Strawberries rely on pollinators, particularly bees, to ensure the production of fruit. Pollination occurs when bees collect nectar from the flowers, transferring pollen from one bloom to another, which is essential for fruit development. Without pollinators, you might find fewer strawberries growing, or even none at all.
To attract more pollinators to your garden, plant a variety of flowering plants nearby, especially those with colorful, fragrant blooms that bees are drawn to. Avoid using harmful pesticides that can damage pollinator populations.
Strawberries: A Treat for Your Chickens
Did you know that strawberries are not only beneficial to humans but also a great treat for your chickens? Chickens love strawberries, and they’re a healthy snack for them too! Strawberries provide essential vitamins, particularly vitamin C, which supports your chickens' immune system. The antioxidants in strawberries also help maintain overall health.
You can feed your chickens fresh strawberries, either whole or cut into smaller pieces. They’ll love scratching around for these juicy treats, and the red color might even attract them more! Additionally, feeding your chickens strawberries can help encourage foraging behavior, promoting a more active and engaged flock.
As a bonus, the leaves and stems of the strawberry plant are also safe for chickens to eat, giving them even more nutrition. Just be sure to offer strawberries in moderation, as with any treat, to maintain a balanced diet.
Medicinal Uses of Strawberry Leaves & Roots
While we often focus on the sweet fruit, strawberry plants have more to offer. Both the leaves and roots of the strawberry plant have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.
- Strawberry Leaves: Strawberry leaves are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, making them a great addition to herbal remedies. They can be used to make teas that help with digestion, relieve inflammation, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Strawberry leaf tea is commonly used to soothe upset stomachs, treat diarrhea, and even reduce menstrual cramps.
- Strawberry Roots: Strawberry roots are also known for their medicinal properties. They can be used to make tinctures or infusions that support your body’s natural detoxification process. Strawberry root has traditionally been used to treat conditions like arthritis, swelling, and inflammation. It may also support healthy skin when used in topical treatments like creams or washes.
Making Strawberry Leaf Tea & Topical Creams
To make strawberry leaf tea, simply dry the leaves and steep them in hot water for about 10-15 minutes. Add honey or other herbs for flavor if you like. For topical applications, strawberry leaves can be infused in oils to create soothing creams or balms, while the roots can be boiled down and applied as a natural wash for skin irritations.
Use with Caution
As with any medicinal plant, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider before using strawberry leaves or roots as part of a health regimen, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have underlying health conditions.
Final Tips for a Bountiful Harvest
- Rotate Strawberry Plants every few years to prevent soil depletion and reduce the risk of disease.
- Harvest regularly to encourage more fruiting and keep your plants healthy.
- Protect the fruit from birds by using netting or other protective covers.
- Want to get creative? Grab some rocks from your gravel road and paint them to look like strawberries. This helps deter birds from coming and eating all your precious fruits.
Growing your own strawberries not only brings the joy of fresh fruit into your kitchen but also connects you to the rhythms of nature and the hard work of tending to your garden. And with chickens around, you can enjoy the benefits of fresh strawberries in more ways than one!
Written by Kylie Shinaut
Shop our Strawberry Bliss Collection to add some strawberry themed products to your home or office Strawberry Bliss Collection
Want additional information? UNL at Nebraska-Lincoln has a fantastic guide to growing strawberries in Nebraska. UNL Strawberry Guide