MR. GREENS "FRESH TIPS"
December 29, 2000
Our last MR. GREEN'S PUZZZZLE dealt with Hollywood stars: What produce item does Mel Gibson love more than anything else? Mel Gibson is known in Hollywood circles as being very health conscious. Of this particular produce item, Mel Gibson said, "This is the most nutritious produce item grown on a tree." He certainly made many Southern California growers of this item very happy with that free publicity on the "Late Show with David Letterman." Mel Gibson eats this produce item more than any other: The Avocado! This week's PUZZZZLE still deals with New Year's traditions: What produce item is given to signify prosperity and happiness in the New Year? See the answer in next week's "Fresh Tips."
STRAWBERRIES: You can thank Dr. Victor Voth for our new crop of California strawberries. Dr. Voth is known as "Mr. Strawberry" around the world. In his breeding programs, Dr. Voth spent over 40 years tinkering around with the chromosomes of Strawberries, making them bigger, better, redder, sweeter, and earlier. Most of his work was done at the South Coast Research Station in Irvine, California, just south of Los Angeles. 
Dr. Voth retired just a few years ago, but before he did, he released his final Strawberry variety to the industry. It was the 1996 "Camarosa" variety, which has become the preeminent Strawberry grown in Southern California. In the 1970s, Dr. Voth had released the Douglas variety, which was another early producing Strawberry. It took Dr. Voth another 20 years, looking at well over one million seedlings, to find the next Strawberry variety to produce early. Strawberry plants need "chilling hours," just like fruit and nut trees, grapevines and asparagus. These chilling hours help the plant store up energy for spring growth. By developing a Strawberry variety that needs fewer chilling hours, you can plant earlier, and harvest earlier. Growers take plant seedlings to Redding, in Northern California.
The elevation is higher, which helps trick the plants into chilling. Most plants are then taken from the Redding plant beds from early November to early December. These plants are then able to start production by February and March. But the Camarosa variety can be dug from the Redding plant beds by early October. These plants are then transplanted in Southern California fields. Growers will put black plastic on the ground, which helps warm the soil and the root system. By warming the root system, the plant will have more vigorous growth, and helps early production. The Camarosa variety can begin new crop production, usually by Christmas each year, depending on weather conditions. The fruit is some of the finest of the year, although prices would be high. Driscoll's Berries also has its own breeding program. For over 50 years, Driscoll's Berries has been breeding their own plant varieties. At the foot of Mt. Shasta, in Northern California, much of their work is done. They have developed plant varieties that can be planted in June, for harvest in October through December in the Oxnard area. Driscoll's Berries grows and develops new berry varieties around the world. There was a time, just a few years ago, when California growers were out of production for several months. Now growers count the time out of production in weeks and even days. California is closing in on being in Strawberry production year-round. Even though these early berries will be beautiful, because of the time of year, the shelf life may be a bit shorter than normal, so use them quickly once you purchase them. And be sure to refrigerate them immediately when you get home. One last thing. Never ever, in a million years, should you wash your Strawberries until just before you use them. Water on Strawberries is like water on the wicked witch of the Wizard of Oz. It makes them melt.
CLICK HERE for Mr. Green's Strawberry Recipes.