Where the facts come from
Every factual claim on this site links to its source. This is the full list.
How we checked
Each fact was written in our own words alongside its source. Our build script stores the text of every source and, for each fact, checks that the key words and figures really appear in it. 111 of 111 checks passed when this site was last built (11 November 2026). Where we couldn’t find a named source saying something, we left it out. Where good sources disagree, we say so and give both.
Where sources differ
- When the garden strawberry began. Britannica says the large garden strawberry originated in Europe in the 18th century; the Science History Institute and the University of Minnesota tell the story of how, through Frézier’s Chilean plants crossing with a Virginia strawberry. These fit together; the exact date and place of the first cross aren’t recorded in our sources.
- What Frézier was. The Science History Institute calls him an officer in the French Army Intelligence Corps posing as a merchant; the University of Minnesota calls him an engineer who posed as a tourist. We say intelligence officer.
- Where the name comes from. Many people link it to straw mulch; the University of Minnesota thinks it more likely comes from an Old English word for spreading. We give both and say which the source prefers.
- What kind of fruit. Britannica’s strawberry article calls it an accessory fruit; its berry article calls it an aggregate fruit. Both agree it is not a true berry.
All sources (12)
- RHS: How to grow strawberries (RHS Grow Your Own guide) (55 facts)
- Britannica: Strawberry (18 facts)
- Science History Institute, Distillations: The Ripe Stuff (Ute Eberle, 3 April 2025) (15 facts)
- University of Minnesota, Minnesota Fruit Research: A spy, a botanist, and a strawberry (Emily Tepe, 2019) (10 facts)
- Britannica: Berry (plant reproductive body) (2 facts)
- LTA: Facts you didn’t know about Wimbledon (2 facts)
- RHS: Grey mould (2 facts)
- RHS: Strawberry black eye (2 facts)
- RHS: Vine weevil (2 facts)
- RHS: Replant disease (1 fact)
- RHS: Slugs and snails (1 fact)
- RHS: Spotted wing drosophila (1 fact)