Ollie and Me: “Papa, why are they called strawberries?”

["The most plausible origin for strawberry in its earliest reference to the Woodland Strawberry is as a name for plants growing at ground level (like straw spread as litter) irregularly distributed as the result of the spread of achenes (strawberry seeds) by birds and animals--two interrelated senses of being strewn." Dr. Sayers, www.strawberriesforstrawberrylovers.com]


Yesterday, while happily searching for, picking, and popping a few strawberries into his mouth at Millar's farm, west of Lambeth, Ollie asked, “Papa, why are they called strawberries?”

I didn’t have a clue, so I didn’t answer. Also, it’s impolite to talk with your mouth full.


I know strawberries have been linked with straw for a long time. My father grew strawberries for many years in his very healthy gardens and scattered straw around his rows of plants - for some reason. To inhibit the affects of frost? To inhibit the progress of slugs? I don’t know. But strawberries don’t derive their name from this old agricultural practice, say the experts.

Next, Ollie’s excited voice and spontaneous exclamation made me smile.

“I actually found a strawberry! I actually found a pink strawberry!”


[“I actually found a strawberry!”]

After several minutes his plastic basket - actually - held only a few strawberries so Nana and I - actually - helped him out. But, as we bent double to search under the thick patches of leaves, we - actually - found it impossible to muster the same kind of enthusiasm.


[“Lisa Kooistra weighs our baskets. Good fun for the price”: photos GH]

***

Please click here for more Ollie and Me.

.