Alpine Strawberries, Delicious Nuggets
Alpine Strawberries are the answer to the traditional strawberry fuss in the garden. They do not grow runners as regular strawberries do, preventing a tangled mess. There are white varieties (often called yellow, that have a hint of pineapple) that are just as tasty but are left untouched by the birds. Alpine Strawberries are as small as an M&M but fully loaded with intense juicy flavor. The best part about these tiny berries, other than their flavor and scent are that they are perennials that will give you fruit through the three seasons of spring, summer and autumn.
They are best grown from seed even though they are notorious for being a little sketchy with germination. It is best to plant them in a flat that can allow the seeds to be watered from the bottom. Cover to keep moisture in and then plant outdoors in early spring after frost date. The first year they will grow to a healthy plant but only produce a few berries, just wait til next year and you’ll enjoy handfuls of them! The plants prefer full sun to partial shade.
The roots, leaves, and fruits of the Alpine Strawberry, Fragaria Vesca, were used as a digestive aid and skin tonic. The berry was prescribed for diarrhea and digestive upset, while the leaves and roots were supposed to relievie gout. The berry itself was rubbed on the skin to ease the pain of sunburn and to relieve blemishes. The juice of the strawberry has its own special prescription–it brightened discolored teeth. Taken From: Vegetarians in Paradise
Best Varieties: Alexandria, Charles V, Pineapple Crush, Yellow Wonder and Mignonette (tastiest, but bad producer).
Sources: Vegetable Gardener’s Bible by Edward C. Smith, Washington Post: Alpine Strawberry, Small Wonder
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