WE STILL HAVE A FEW SPOTS LEFT ON OUR EASTER SATURDAY PERMACUTURE FARM & NURSERY TOUR - HOP ON TO THE EDUCATION PAGE FOR MORE INFO AND TO BOOK YOUR PLACE!

Strawberry Captain Cook

Fragraria x ananassa

$9.50

In stock

All modern strawberry varieties are bred from an original cross between Chilean and North American wild strawberries in the 1600s. They are short lived low growing stoloniferous perennials and are hardy to -10 degrees C.

‘Captain Cook’ is said to be one of the earliest varieties of strawberries brought to New Zealand. Vigorous and healthy plants producing bright red berries with sweet flesh from late spring into summer.

9cm pot

 

Cultivation

Found naturally in shady banks and woodlands, strawberries fruit best with full sun for most of the day, and moist soil. However they do need good drainage and are often planted on mounds unless on very free draining soil. Mulch with pine needles to maintain slightly acidic soil, or use straw to keep the fruit off the ground. Regular liquid seaweed feeds can help combat fungal issues.

Pot up the runners each year to create more plants, and replace the mother plants every three years or so to maintain good crops of fruit.

Uses

I’m sure you don’t need my advice on what to do with strawberry fruit! You really can’t go past fresh strawberries with cream – Wimbledon style! Otherwise use them in strawberry shortcake, on pavlova, in Eton Mess, in muffins or use a glut of fruit to make jam, jelly, compote or ice cream. Or to decorate cocktails!
Strawberry leaves are also nutritious and edible, and can be used in moderation (due to the tannin content) chopped into salads.

Medicinal Uses

Aside from being delicious in their own right, strawberries contain compounds such as anthocyanins which have significant health benefits and have been studied for their anti-cancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-parasitic, and antiviral activities, as well as their ability to regulate blood glucose. They contain high levels of vitamin C and good levels of manganese, potassium, some iron, vitamin A and calcium. They are low in calories and high in fibre. They have been used medicinally at least since Roman times. The berries were believed to be a cure for gout and helpful for digestive problems, the leaves, fruit, crowns, and roots were used in the preparations of ointments, medicinal teas, and syrups, and the leaves are mildly diuretic and astringent due to their high tannin content, and have been used as a laxative.

History / Folklore / Further Info

Jo Says

It took us years before we had a good strawberry harvest. The first year the birds took them all. So the next year I netted them, thinking I’d learned my lesson, and the mice dived underneath the netting and ate them all! So I moved them into the garden closer to the house – and the bloody dog ate them all! By the following year my kids were toddlers, and of course they ate them all – and mostly underripe at that! But like for many kids, strawberries proved a great drawcard to get them into the garden, so I can’t complain:) And strawberry shortcake was what my daughter had for her birthday cake year after year when she was young:)

Shipping Advice

N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details. 

Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.

Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.

Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.

Medical disclaimer

Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.

We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.

Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have. 

Related Products

Search Products