BRING IN STRAWBERRY SEASON

■ Strawberries are easy to grow in almost all climates, and they’re an ideal plant for gardeners and small farmers across the United States. Strawberries fruit year after year and can be harvested from midsummer all the way to the first frost. They’re convenient to have in the garden, because they only take up a little space.

Strawberries grow quickly under the right conditions, and a patch of strawberry plants can produce hundreds of delicate berries. This combination of rapid and plentiful fruit production makes strawberries perfect for making cakes, pies, and ice cream, and for preparing jam, jelly, and juice. It also makes them the ideal candidate for a profitable enterprise. Selling strawberries can be as simple as placing a sign near the road to bring customers to your farm or pick-your-own strawberry patch.

Best of all, it’s easy to get started growing strawberries! The key to a successful berry patch, whether for profit or personal consumption, is to choose cultivars for increased yield and fewer diseases.

Choose Your Favorite Berries

Once you’ve tasted homegrown strawberries, you’ll never want to eat store-bought again. They smell wonderful, and their brightly colored, juicy fruit is full of flavor. Plus, when you grow your own, you can select a variety