28 June 2008 - A trip out to Crab Wood, near Winchester to enjoy a walk in the woods, and to pick wild strawberries.

What Are Wild Strawberries?

Fragaria vesca - a close relative of the cultivated strawberries with which we're so familiar.

The plants are small and easily overlooked - the small fruits are borne on stems that often do not protrude above the leaves - so they can be difficult to spot.

Despite their small size, these strawberries are intensely fragrant and flavourful - nothing like the cultivated kind.

Picking Wild Strawberries

The plant is often found amongst ground cover in deciduous forest - but it will typically only bear fruit when growing in sunny patches - so the edges of footpaths can be productive.

In managed woodland, it may fruit in great profusion in areas that have - in the previous season - been coppiced or cleared for regrowth.

The fruits are small, delicate and easily crushed - they should not be put into a plastic bag - an open, sturdy container such as a plastic pot is better.

They will not survive even the gentlest of washing - so don't try. Pick and transport them carefully, and there's nothing that would need washing off anyway.