Strawberry 'Polka'

Strawberry 'Polka': The Sweetheart of the Mid-Summer Harvest

Strawberry 'Polka' is a high-performance, gourmet variety that has earned a reputation as one of the best-tasting strawberries for northern climates. This mid-season powerhouse is celebrated for producing abundance of large, dark-red berries that are uniform in shape and possess a superbly sweet, juicy flavour reminiscent of wild strawberries. Unlike many supermarket varieties that are bred solely for durability, 'Polka' focuses on exceptional fruit quality and aroma. Rising on sturdy stems above lush, disease-resistant foliage, it is an ideal choice for the home gardener looking for a reliable, heavy-cropping plant that performs brilliantly in garden beds, "strawberry towers," or patio containers.

• Superior Gourmet Flavour: Often winning in "blind taste tests," 'Polka' produces berries with a high sugar-to-acid ratio, making them incredibly sweet and aromatic.

• Deep Crimson Beauty: The fruit is a stunning, glossy dark red all the way through, making them look as good as they taste in desserts, fruit salads, or eaten fresh from the vine.

• Exceptional Hardiness: Originally bred in the Netherlands, this variety is famously tough and winter-hardy, making it a dependable choice for cooler regions or gardens with unpredictable spring weather.

• Multipurpose Fruit: Because the berries are firm but juicy, they hold their shape beautifully. This makes 'Polka' the premier choice for premium home-made jams, as well as freezing and fresh eating.

Gardener's Tip: "The Pine Needle Secret"

To keep your Strawberry 'Polka' fruits pristine and rot-free, use a mulch of straw or pine needles around the base of the plants once they begin to flower. This lifts the developing berries off the soil, preventing "slug damage" and keeping them clean from rain-splashed dirt. For the absolute sweetest berries, harvest them when they are a deep, uniform dark red—this is when the sugars are at their peak. After the final harvest in July, trim away the old leaves to encourage a healthy flush of new growth for next year!