Strawberries are deceiving. First, they are not really berries because they have about 200 seeds on the outside instead of inside. And they are actually part of the rose family.
Also, they taste too good to be good for you, but strawberries are low fat, low calorie, high fiber and high in antioxidants and vitamins. Including strawberries in your diet can actually decrease your risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
Here are more facts:
●Strawberries are grown all over America. California and Florida are the nation’s leading producers of strawberries.
●Strawberries in Okaloosa County are planted in the fall and harvested in March through May. The plants are traditionally hand-planted in raised, covered beds, and then watered extensively for 10-14 days.
●Honeybees are important pollinators in the process of making big, tasty strawberries.
●Strawberries attract several pests like insects and diseases, so they require constant monitoring to produce tasty berries.
●Farmers are constantly monitoring the nutrient and water needs of the plants and “spoon-feeding” the strawberry plants just what they need at the right time.
And, last but not least: Strawberries are currently available in our area, so stop by a u-pick farm, roadside stand or farmers’ market to get yours today!
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BEARDEN: Strawberries require some care, but are worth the work