The strawberry moon peaks tomorrow. It is named for the short period of time when wild strawberries are ripe.
I had ripped out all of my strawberry plants several years ago as they had gotten out of hand and took up more space than I was willing to sacrifice in my vegetable garden. But last year I decided I wanted a little patch again so I planted about 12 plants or maybe 20, can’t recall.
This was the summer that I could start to harvest and I was very excited.
Also, the chipmunks and birds were excited and were taking gleeful bites and snips out of my berries. I played around with some old row cover fabric that I had, until the crafty birds just ripped holes and gashes in it and ate the berries anyway.
So off I went to Dollarama and bought some cheap green plastic netting and two shiny disco balls. The result has been successful!
I’ve been picking quite a few berries since thwarting the wildlife and decided I should make some jam. It’s been quite a while since I’ve made jam due to not growing my own strawberries but it all came together well.
I just have to wait for the jars to seal and set. I think some have already popped and if they don’t I’ll just do a boiling water bath.
Do any of you still grow berries or buy berries and make jam? It’s a nice summer treat- even on vanilla ice cream!
I make apricot jam. Strawberries just never get cheap enough. It's one of my favourites though. Enjoy yours
ReplyDeleteAnd I’ve never made apricot jam! I never even buy apricots. Hmmm.
DeleteI have a very small garden space; when we moved in over half of it was strawberries. I spent last fall and this spring removing them, as they were old plants and weren't producing. Two of them have survived and I'll let them be.
ReplyDeleteIt's been years since I've made jam or jelly. Lots of work to getting it right. Enjoy!
It’s not too tough when you use Certo.
DeleteGlad your netting and balls have protected your strawberries... but I hope you still share a few with the local wildlife. I've never made jam - and our wildlife do take their share of the figs from the fig tree. But I've given up on growing veggies outside. The summer heat here is too much for them.
ReplyDeleteThe jam looks lovely! No strawberries here, but we’re eagerly awaiting raspberries. I love making —and eating—jam.
ReplyDeleteI picked a basketful last week (the berries were huge!) and made a batch of strawberry/rhubarb jam. I got about 8 jars. The rest I ate, they were delicious.
ReplyDeleteWell done, making strawberry jam. It looks so delicious. I have never made jam or grown strawberries. It is too hot here! However I do enjoy the fruits in Ontario whenever we visit our daughter there. They seem to grow beautifully.
ReplyDelete"Sweet and sour orange-lemon marmalade" is utterly delicious. I can't make it myself , but I can buy it easily at markets
ReplyDeleteStrawberry moon...now that explains why my big strawberries have suddenly started ripening and the Alpines have speeded up!
ReplyDeleteLots of fat wild strawberries this year as well.
ReplyDeleteGarden is looking good, and that jam!!!
Have you installed some raised beds in the garden?
No, no raised beds. I have some frames that husband made to protect seedlings from bunny rabbits.
DeleteThe jam looks perfect! I made strawberry jam last year and have some left so didn't make more. It is a real favorite here though. No berry plants anymore, sadly.
ReplyDeleteWell done on your berries. My home crop has been dismal -- they need to be moved. I did a post last week on strawberries with my shortcake-in-a-jar recipe too (hardly a recipe!). My fave is with biscuits but that doesn't work for the jar! Always lovely to see your posts. The jam looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI am mad-jealous! You are a lucky one for that!
ReplyDeleteThe jam looks wonderful. Warm greetings from Montreal.
ReplyDeleteNo strawberries here as of yet. I think our hail has made the harvest a bit later than usual.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Mmmmmm, strawberries! I ripped out my patch last year, just got too weedy. My raspberries do well though. I will be making jam this weekend, I think.
ReplyDelete