Twenty-five plants will normally produce enough strawberries for an average sized family. Strawberry plants produce attractive fruit with fine flavor. Strawberries have a very high vitamin C content and are versatile as a dessert food. Most cultivars of strawberries are well suited to freezing and processing as well as for fresh use. Many people enjoy eating the fresh-picked fruit.
Strawberries are also excellent for jams, jellies, and pies.
Freshly sliced and sugared strawberries are excellent when served chilled either alone or over shortcake or ice cream. June-bearing plants are cultured to produce a full crop the season after planting. In Ohio, the ripening season of June-bearing strawberry cultivars ranges from late May to the end of June. June-bearing types are most popular for the home garden and commercial use and are well worth waiting for because of their flavor and quality. Strawberry cultivars recommended for growing in Ohio are listed in Table 1.