Not only do strawberries taste good, they contain antioxidants and nutrients that help improve the body's immune system. They are also a great source of vitamin C, fiber, folic acid and potassium. There are three types of strawberries: June Bearing, Everbearing, and Day Neutral. June Bearing Strawberries produce a single crop in June (or early spring), depending upon the area. You can pick them for about two to three weeks during that time. They are the largest of the strawberries. These berries produce "runners" and spread over a large area. If you plant them in the towers you see above, they'll eventually spread to the ground and produce an area with even more plants. I take the runners and replant them in adjacent tiers - they'll grow roots once they're in the soil. Pinch off the flower buds on the June Bearing plants during the first year, and start harvesting the 2nd year. Everbearing Strawberries have two to three harvests: June, late summer and early in the fall. These strawberries don't have as many runners and are a smaller berry than the June Bearing berries. Very sweet and tasty! Good for limited spaces. Pinch the flowers until July 1 so the plant can build up energy. Day Neutral Strawberries produce fruit all through the summer. Just like the Everbearing berries, the fruit is small and doesn't have as many runners. Pinch the flowers until July 1. These plants are also good for limited spaces and grow great in the strawberry towers! Plant your strawberries in the spring as soon as the soil is dry. Plant them in a rich, well-drained, organic soil that sees plenty of sun. The pH should be between 5.8 and 6.2. They'll grow quickly as the weather warms up. Use straw as mulch and water them each week. The only other thing to keep in mind is that wildlife and birds like strawberries as much as we do, so be prepared to fend them off or use netting as necessary!

Holds approximately 8 cubic ft of soil.

This gardener made his out of redwood.

Strawberry Towers