I have tried several new products this year and have had some good luck and bad luck. Today is all about the good luck! I love strawberries, but have trouble eating the ones in the grocery store because of some preservative that is used on them. I swell up like crazy when I try to eat them, but I can eat all of the home-grown ones I can find.
I usually buy 1 or 2 gallons to freeze, and still did that this year as well, but I also wanted fresh ones to eat throughout the summer. I decided to grow a few of my own. My mom recommended Miller Nurseries, a mail order company specializing in fruit plants and trees. What a success!
I ordered 25 Tribute strawberry plants and planted them on May 13th. Tributes are ever bearing strawberries with perfectly shaped, strongly-flavored bright red berries. Just in the last 2 days, I have harvested 24 berries, with many more green ones on the plants. I have also potted several of the runners to make new plants. I highly recommend these berries!
May:
June:
August:
Also, this spring, C & I decided to install 4 rain barrels in the back yard. First, we ordered a set of 2 English-style rain barrels from Gardener’s Supply Company. There was a special deal for 2 barrels and a free linking kit to hook them together. We liked the first two so well, we ordered two more. We have had more rain than usual this summer, so the barrels stay full and we have not had to use one drop of “city” water on our plants. I think it shows, too.
If you are in the market for strawberry plants or rain barrels, in my opinion you can’t go wrong with these! Happy gardening!
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