Farming always comes with surprises, but we weren’t expecting 2,000 strawberry plants to show up 2 ½ months early! Instead of planting them directly in the field, we had to jump into action and start potting them right away to keep them healthy until spring. It’s been an all-hands-on-deck effort—even the baby helped… mostly by getting into the pots and playing in the soil! But she had fun, so we’ll count it as a win.
We’ll be planting all week to get them settled, and while it’s been a crazy start, the bright side is that our strawberry patch is going to be bigger and better than ever! We aren’t sure if it will be ready for you-pick until it’s well-established next year, but we should have plenty of fresh strawberries to offer this season. And when the time comes, you’ll have three delicious varieties to enjoy:
Annapolis Strawberries – An early-season variety known for its large, bright red berries and sweet, mild flavor. Annapolis strawberries are great for fresh eating and hold up well in desserts and preserves. They’re also disease-resistant and reliable, making them a great choice for our farm.
Brunswick Strawberries – A mid-season variety with firm, deep red fruit and a rich, juicy flavor. These berries have excellent shelf life, making them perfect for fresh eating, canning, or freezing. They’re also highly resistant to diseases, which is a big plus for our growing patch.
Albion Strawberries – Unlike the others, Albion is an everbearing variety, meaning it produces fruit all season long instead of just one big harvest. These berries are large, sweet, and slightly firmer, making them great for fresh eating or dipping in chocolate. With their high sugar content and delicious flavor, Albion strawberries are always a favorite.
For now, we’ll keep working through our mountain of strawberry plants, getting them potted and ready for the season ahead. It’s been a wild start, but we’re excited to see this patch thrive and can’t wait to share our strawberries with you! Whether it’s this season for fresh-picked berries or next year for you-pick, SaJe Family Farm is growing something special. Stay tuned for updates!