Strawberry Plants May Surprise You

By Phran Novelli

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Some people say strawberries can be hard to grow or fussy about their soil. I wouldn't know because the strawberries I've been eating this week pretty much planted themselves.

A few years ago I stuck a single strawberry plant in a pot - because I plant all edible stuff up in big pots or raised beds, where there are fewer weeds and it's easier for me to reach. Last year I noticed a strawberry plant growing in the ground next to where that pot had been the year before. And now this year, that strawberry patch has grown considerably.

How it started, I don't know for sure. But either a strawberry dropped from the pot and the seeds sprouted, or some kindly bird or furry friend helped by eating some strawberries and depositing the seeds in the ground. The critters are always happy to let us know when the strawberries are ripe and juicy by taking a bite.

We managed to harvest about a pint or so this year and left the rest to share with the squirrels, bunnies, and chipmunks. After all…they probably planted them anyway.