Strawberries, especially those that are ripe, red and juicy remind me of happy childhood days.
My father grew the fruit on furrows in a sunny part of our garden. We watched the little plants grow, spread and finally display their pretty white flowers. Soon after they flowered, Dad mulched under the plants with fresh straw.
‘Straw keeps the fruit off the ground as the strawberries get heavier,’ he said. ‘It helps prevent them from rotting.’
Long months followed as we watched the tiny green fruit change colour and they grew big and juicy. They ripened in late spring.
Now in Australia we can buy fruit, often imported, throughout the year. But then fruit grown locally had its often quite limited season.
In my childhood, there were always enough strawberries in the garden to decorate the cake my mother made for my early November birthday. Dad let me think that he planted and grew them especially for me. And I still love them as much now as I did then.
Sunday surprise
So the late-morning SMS from my granddaughter, Jane, with its picture of a basket of berries, delighted me. The caption read. ‘Shall we bring you some strawberries?’
Jane, Colin and Helen, my two-year-old great-granddaughter, had been on a picking expedition to a strawberry farm in Wanneroo, about thirty kilometres from Subiaco where they live within walking distance of my apartment.
It seemed they’d enjoyed themselves along with other families in the spring sunshine. Helen certainly looked the part of a fruit-picker, with her T-shirt stained with red juice.
Last time they visited, they brought Jane’s brother, as well as curries to share for dinner, soon after my pacemaker drama. This little family provides one of of the joys of my life, with and without gifts.
Luscious red strawberries
Strawberries bought in their plastic wrappings come with no guarantees. Often the top layer looks delicious and the rest are slightly green or even worse, rotten. They’re picked before maturity, packed and stored in refrigerators. Even when ripe they disappoint a connoisseur like me.
But the gift this morning contained only ripe, luscious berries. They tasted just like those my father grew all those years ago, and they melt in my mouth. How lucky am I?
Among my plans for next year
You guessed it! Next year, I plan to grow at least one pot of strawberries to ripen for my birthday. If you’d like to join me, click here for instructions on how to grow strawberries. Mine can join my family of miniature lime trees and lettuces, chard and herbs on my very sunny balcony.
Look forward to a fabulous MH Strawberry Party next year!
From one pot? I think more like a little cake with a strawberry on top, Eliza B!
Great story Maureen hope your pacemaker is working well😘😘😘😘
Thanks for your comment, Nena. Yes, my pacemaker seems to be ticking away quite nicely , thank you.
I love strawberries. Here in the north they are ripe for picking in the height of summer in July – further south, some are ready in June.
We used to go strawberry picking a lot to a nearby farm and they were delicious.
Just like Australia, strawberries are available all year in the supermarkets but they are not as sweet and juicy.
I’m glad to hear that you’re still doing very well. 🙂
Thanks for your comment, SueW. Our ‘proper’ strawberry season is mid to late spring. It’s too dry later than early November. I plan to go strawberry picking the next time Jane and Colin go. Actually, I might just keep my ears open for rumours others in the family plan it. I used to love the process of picking with people I care about.
Hi Maureen
What ‘strawberry joy’ you bring with this post. Love it. Now we all know you love strawberries you may be inundated with strawberries especially as we are on the cusp of your Birthday. But your idea of growing some strawberries is the superlative. It is wonderful to watch them grow. I agree. We grew them on our farm at Tarin Rock. Mum would bake a two heart shaped sponge cakes, spread jam between the two cakes, lather the top with cream and add a row of our home-grown strawberries around the outside edge of the cake and add one large strawberry in the middle for good measure.
Can I be so bold as to wish you a very Happy Birthday for early November, Maureen? Always lovely to read your stories Maureen. They are so inspiring, and I rarely miss reading your Blogs, although I don’t always manage to comment. Thanks Maureen – Cheers Tricia
Hi, Tricia. It’s always good to hear from you and thank you for my early birthday wishes. I’m of an age where birthday celebrations can start a few weeks before and continue for weeks afterwards! Not like with kids, for whom birthdays are just days! I had never heard of Tarin Rock before. I’ve driven that way a few times, but never saw a sign post. Or I don’t remember it. And I didn’t know you grew up in country Western Australia. I always thought you came from Victoris. I do enjoy finding out interesting information about my friends! No wonder you are so happy on your country trips and assignments.
I like strawberries! Pavlovas with cream, loaded with strawberries was a once upon a time favourite!
How blessed to have family visit you with your favourite as a treat after your recent ordeal. 💖
Yes, I’m blessed with my lovely family, Susan! And I’d forgotten pavlovas. My mother used to make them for special occasions, an I did, too, long ago.