FRAISES DES BOIS (Fragaria vesca) or ALPINE STRAWBERRY is a remarkable treasure of a fruit that has little relationship in growing habits or taste to its larger cousins. These tiny but intensely fragrant and sweet fruits cast few runners, making them perfect choices to grow in window boxes, rock gardens or even indoors in your Aerogarden. They grow about 10" high and spread about 8". Beloved in Europe, where for centuries they were enjoyed by royalty, but little known in America and rarely found in markets because they should only be picked when absolutely ripe - and then they are just too fragile to ship. They produce fruit all year round if their environment is conducive -- In fact, I just picked a bunch at it's 95 degrees outside! Just a few of these gems on your morning cereal will give you a new outlook on life! Or served alone with clotted cream as the Victorians enjoyed them! With their pretty white flowers and bright red cone-shaped berries they make a beautiful decorative as well, so start lots and use them to edge your herb bed! Note - be patient. These take a year to begin to produce fruit and the first year's fruit is on the teensy side - gets larger as crown matures. 25 Seeds. ORGANICALLY GROWN
MEDICINAL: Not typically associated in the modern mind with medicinal use, Alpine Strawberry was historically commonly used in many different capacities. All parts of the plant were used. The root for diarrhea. The stalks for wounds. The leaves as astringents. Teas made from the leaves are wonderful for digestion (and diarrhea) and to stimulate the appetite. The crushed fruit is very soothing to the skin and has antibacterial properties, AND interestingly can be applied to teeth (with baking soda) or skin to "bleach it white." The berries are an excellent source of Vitamin C and recent studies show them to be high in antioxidants, making them one to add to your cancer protection diet.
GROWING TIPS: Freeze the seed for 3-4 weeks before sowing. They need dark to germinate. Start in pots. Cover lightly and keep at 65-70 degrees. Set out in 9-10 weeks to their permanent homes (after last frost date) into rich, well-drained soil supplemented with lots of organic material. Having said all that, I threw some of these seeds into a corner of a plot last summer and they germinated just fine. Small last year, this year they have exploded into large clusters of blossoms, which I anticipate will bear fruit in June throughout the summer if the Carolina heat doesn't get to them.
SEED SAVING: Sooooo easy! Just lay very ripe berries on a small tray or plate in your refrigerator until they dry completely. Then rub the seeds off the berries! Store in your freezer until you are ready to plant and they will be cold-stratified par excellence!
CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM GARDEN SEEDS & PLANTS offer hundreds of heirloom and vintage open-pollinated varieties. Most have histories dating back centuries and are tried and true producers. Some are rare, or threatened with extinction. When you grow a plant from heirloom seed and save that seed, you are participating in a practice that goes back for generations. Our grandparents and their grandparents grew these varieties. Often the seeds were prized possessions carried to the New World when they emigrated.
Ever notice how most seed catalogs require you to buy (and pay for) much more seed than you could ever possibly use in a season? If you have a budget for garden seeds, this limits your choices! Although seeds can be viable for longer than one growing season, it requires that they be stored at a consistent temperature and humidity. Few of us do this. CherryGal sizes its seed packets for the home gardener, because we know you may want to grow 5 different lettuces, or three different corns, and don’t want to have to take out a second mortgage to do so! But at the prices most stores and catalogues charge, if you sample 20 different vegetables, herbs and flowers you will be spending $50 - $70! But, the same seeds at CherryGal.com will probably run around $25. CHERRYGAL SEEDS ARE A TREMENDOUS BARGAIN!
Another important reason to grow a large variety of plants is that one of the chief culprits in honey bee colony collapse disorder seems to be that their immune systems are weakened by the prevalence of mono-cropping. In other words, bees pollinating only one variety crop have a diet equivalent to eating only bread. Growing an abundant variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers will help sustain our precious honeybees!
All seeds offered are FRESH stock, with high germination rates, tested by the growers and myself. Varieties are specially selected for home gardeners. If you want the flavor you remember from grandma's kitchen garden or the beauty of her cottage flowers, choose CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM SEEDS.
ABOUT OPEN-POLLINATED SEEDS . . . All CherryGal Heirloom Seeds are heirlooms (dating at least 100 years) or vintage (mid-20th Century or older) varieties, with an occasional modern variety included which I believe merits special attention. All CherryGal Heirloom Seeds are OPEN-POLLINATED. This means saved seed will be true to the parent. Don't be dazzled by the never-ending array of hybrid seeds promoted by gardening suppliers. First, seeds from that produce will not grow true to the parent -- you have to keep buying the hybrid seed (get the picture?). Second, most hybrids are developed for market – not home -- growers with an emphasis on extended shelf life, storage and shipping qualities -- NOT flavor, texture and all those other elements that home growers seek.
All CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM SEEDS come from reputable growers (most of them small farms) and wherever possible ORGANIC suppliers (so noted). By buying CHERRYGAL SEEDS you are supporting the growing worldwide movement of SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE and with a little practice you will be able to save even more money in the future by growing open-pollinated varieties and saving seed for next year.
Please Note: CherryGal Heirloom Seeds are guaranteed to be fresh stock, but are not guaranteed as to results (sorry - we wish we could, but there are too many variables in gardening) so please do not ask to return. However, we think you will be pleased and would like to hear about your gardening success!
SHIPPING: I endeavor to ship my seeds as quickly as possible - usually within 24 - 48 hours. During peak seed season (January - June) this timeframe can stretch to a week or more because of heavy volume of sales. I do the best I can and fulfill orders in the order received. If a variety is on back order with a supplier and not likely to available for a week or longer, you will be advised and given the opportunity to substitute or cancel with refund. I package my seeds for shipping in a manner appropriate to the amount and type of seed - larger orders and larger seeds require more packaging. Whether you choose first class mail or priority shipping, your seeds will ship using a delivery confirmation number which will be supplied to you. Our checkout system is keyed to the US Postal System. For small seed orders, I recommend choosing FIRST CLASS mail at checkout. Larger orders (over 13 ounces) can ship either parcel post, though you may find PRIORITY MAIL actually to be less expensive. (I gave up trying to figure out the US Postal System rates a long time ago).
Lastly, I appreciate all my CherryGal.com customers, but have a special affinity for my seed customers. If you have a problem, please email me, using the contact links that are all over the website. Calling is likely to be a frustrating experience, as I do not have the staff to answer the phone and gave up my message system a long time ago because I was spending too much time answering messages instead of shipping and finding/growing wonderful things for my customers. But your email will be promptly responded to. Enjoy!
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