Monday, March 1, 2010

Monday Morning Brain Teasers 03 01 10


Our first day of March is mixed with snowflakes and of course, the Monday morning brain teasers. Today’s true or false format is a runner-up in Annie’s favorite fruit category – strawberries. In the Northeast, March through April is the time to start planting your bare root stock so let’s test your knowledge about this delightful early-blooming soft fruit.

California produces 80% of the country’s supply of strawberries. However, in that trip across country, the fruit loses some of its charm. Immediately after a strawberry is picked, the sugars start turning to starch, similar to corn. It loses a lot of its intense flavor. There is nothing like the taste of a freshly picked strawberry. Last year’s June strawberry season was a bit of a washout due to all the heavy spring rains. Let’s hope we have plenty of sunshine to pick lots of these sweet gems. What’s your favorite way to enjoy fresh strawberries?

1. Strawberries are in the same family as raspberries – the Rose family, Rosaceae.
2. Strawberries need full sun; at least 6 hours per day.
3. The uniqueness of a strawberry is its leaf.
4. Strawberries can have the winter protection of mulch (usually straw) removed in early spring.
5. The American Indians made the first version of strawberry shortcake.

Don’t forget that Nourse Farms is a great resource for your strawberry plants. In case you didn’t get their information in the raspberry brain teasers, here is a gentle reminder. You can find information online at http://noursefarms.com/ or by contacting them at 413-665-2658. Today’s inspirational thought for the day is a cute riddle found on the internet; perfect for Monday morning. “When is a cucumber like a strawberry? When one is in a pickle and the other is in a jam.”

(Photo of strawberries from the Internet)
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1 comments:

Mary Theresa said...

I thought you're brain teaser was cute I really got a chuckle out of it mary

About Me

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My gardening influence starts with my Italian grandmother and mother. Their passion for gardening and fresh food has led me to my love for the earth. My Dad taught me my appreciation for nature and my border collies keep me grounded, staying in contact with it daily, whether I want to or not. My husband, Greg's passion for agriculture, horticulture, naturalistic landscape designs and travel have kept us busy in our time together. It's hard to work with and live with your husband but we manage to do it and still find laughter. I think it is because we love food, gardening and nature.

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© 2009 Ann St. Jean-Bilowz/Bilowz Associates Inc. (including all photographs, unless otherwise noted in Annie's Gardening Corner are the property of Bilowz Associates Inc. and shall not be reproduced in any manner nor are they to be assigned to any third party without the expressed written permission and consent of Bilowz Associates Inc.)