strawberries!

i feel like strawberries might be the most anticipated crop of the year. everyone asks when the strawberries will be ready. we picked our first 16 quarts yesterday and another 16 quarts today. by next week we'll be picking 40+ quarts at a time. our strawberry plants seem to produce well and don't have too many pest problems (a few nibbled berries here and there). they bring in good money early in the season. the variety we go with is, i believe, considered a backyard variety, a type a home gardener would grow. (sorry, i can't think of the variety.) these varieties tend to be more flavorful and sweeter, however, not as big. most farmers grow varieties for a larger size and greater quantity. but as with most produce that has been bred for size, quantity and uniformity, they lose their flavor. you don't want strawberries just to look good, they should taste good, too! as i pick, i get to munch, too. it is always frustrating to pick a beautiful strawberry and find it to be nibbled on the other side. however, i don't mind sharing my berries with the critters... :-)