The Big Berry Question

So I'm almost finished planning the back garden.

My Mom always has those Country Garden and such magazines in her bathroom. They're always coated with baby powder, because ever since I can remember she's used one of those pink, fluffy puffs to slap powder on herself. Although these gardening magazines are usually warped from moisture and the mere opening of one makes me sneeze, I still love looking through them. Last week while I was home checking on the recovering brother, I took a break to sit among the magazines.

And it was there I found the ultimate Freeman House garden. It is breathtaking.

So during a few minutes of free time each evening, I've sketched and planned and dreamed, trying to fill every available garden foot with something beautiful, edible, or incredible. It's been fun.

But I have an internal debate going on which I need your help to put to rest. So, here it is: blueberries or strawberries?

While they grow differently, either berry will ultimately take up about the same space in the garden. And as you can see above, I've already planted blueberry bushes. But then again, I've already put in my strawberry row. But I don't think I have enough of either...

I tried looking through a few favorite cookbooks, including a Susan Branch one (above), to see which berry garnered the most attention: blueberry or strawberry. It is still undecided.

So I ask you, which do you prefer: blueberry or strawberry? If you had a garden, which would you plant more of? If you come to visit, which would you rather have over ice cream?

I would appreciate your opinion so much more than you realize. Even if you don't usually comment, would you please click the comment button and tell me: do you prefer blueberry or strawberry? That's all you have to type. Puh-leeze. Blueberry or strawberry.

Yes, I realize I should just throw something in the ground and be done with it, but these magazine gardens always looked so planned. So contrived. And I'm expecting big things of my little plot of earth. Far be it from me that you should tour my garden one day and sadly shake your head, saying, If only you had asked me, I could have helped you with the big berry question.... [Smile]