Wednesday, March 7, 2007

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]

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

blueberries rule and they are less picky so I vote blueberry! connie

Anonymous said...

STRAWBERRIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I say either especially if it comes with ice cream! :-) KL

Sixteen Chickens said...

One of my best early summer memories is picking strawberries in a local patch with my grandmother and then returning home to make jam. As much as I love blueberries I don't have any memories wrapped up in them so I have to vote for strawberries.

Mary L. Briggs said...

Hi Brin! Let me first say that it is on nice to meet you. I enjoyed the comment you left on my blog. I love your blog!! And your post is great. I'm planning on putting in both blueberries and strawberries, but I have a lot of space. Personally, if I could only do one, I'd go with the strawberries. Probably because I'm more familiar with them--but, at the same time, I love to eat blueberries. I am interested to see what it is going to be like raising those little bushes.

I'm having to start over with my strawberries due too much dry weather a couple of years ago. The ones I had were day neutral and produced very well most of the summer.

As for ice cream, I'll take strawberries on mine, please! It is homemade ice cream, isn't it?:)

smilnsigh said...

Asked husband {the gardener around here} and he said... that which you already know I'm sure but... Blueberry bushes take some years to give a harvest. Strawberries are lusted over by the birdies. You will fight for each and every strawberry. ,-)

So in the end, he prefers Blueberry bushes. :-)

And when I come to visit, I'll gladly eat either/both with your home made shortcake and lots of whipped cream. :-)

Mari-Nanci

smilnsigh said...

And thank you so much for your comment, on my Blog... Those sweet words, coming from you, who always "turns out such great stuff," are very motivational to me.

Mari-Nanci

~Becca~Bluebird Rose said...

Strawberries! I have very sweet memories of strawberries and the wonderful summer delights made from them ~~ strawberry pie, strawberry shortcake, strawberry jam ~~ oh, I vote Strawberries! :)

Anonymous said...

I´m also voting for strawberries.

Anonymous said...

Blueberries!!! I love fresh blueberry muffins, & I know that you can make some awesome blueberry muffins.

By the way, how is Jere?

Am

Anonymous said...

Blueberries for sure!