Every June in Northern Alberta, the wild strawberries ripen just in time for the Strawberry Full Moon. It’s a season I look forward to—not just for the sweet, juicy berries themselves, but for the memories they bring back and the lessons they inspire. This year, the harvest was especially plentiful, and as I picked berries alone and shared this tradition with my students, I found myself reflecting on childhood traditions, the importance of teaching young people to value the land, and the simple, mindful joy of harvesting nature’s gifts.

Childhood memories in the berry patch

Throughout the season, I was reminded of summers as a child, harvesting wild strawberries with my aunt at the hall grounds near my grandmother’s house. As we quietly and carefully collected the berries, I asked her, “How many do we need to pick?” Her response, “Pick as many as you want to eat.” That straightforward lesson has stuck with me throughout my life. It is a good reminder to take only what one will use. We had the berries later that day, mashed up and served with sugar and farm cream. Simple and delicious.

Passing on the knowledge

A few summers ago, I was happy to pass that tradition down to my nephew, who was staying with me. We headed out early in the morning when the cooler temperatures kept the berries firmer and easier to pick—once the day warms up, they get softer and are easier to smoosh! Picking early also meant he could incorporate the freshly picked berries into his breakfast. After we’d gathered enough, with a bit of help, he made a delicious French toast breakfast topped with the berries we’d picked.

While happily snacking on berries straight from my secret wild patch, I thought about what a great year it was for wild strawberries. I also decided to take advantage of the opportunity to bring my students out onto the school grounds, where wild strawberries grow in abundance. We had the intention to pick the berries and make freezer jam. We didn’t collect quite enough wild berries for a full batch of jam, so we mixed them with store-bought strawberries. Then we made freezer jam using Club House No Cook Freezer Jam Gelling Powder (40% less sugar). We followed the directions on the back of the package, the classroom smelled heavenly and the end result was a fresh, tasty jam we were proud of.

Freezer Jam

Freezer jam is a great option to make with kids because it doesn’t require any cooking. It also gives them the chance to practice reading and following simple directions as well as basic food prep skills, like roughly chopping fruit into small pieces and measuring carefully. Beyond the kitchen skills, it’s also about something deeper: slowing down and creating something with care. Harvesting from the land encourages mindfulness. It asks us to pause, pay attention, and appreciate what’s in front of us—not just for what it provides, but for the process itself.

Making the jam also brought me back to my own childhood. My Oma always had a stash of homemade freezer jam tucked away in the deep freeze. It was a staple in her house—served on toast or, my personal favorite, with her homemade Finlander pancakes – which are similar to crepes. Freezer jam has always been my favorite because, to me, it tastes the most like fresh fruit.

Lessons from the land

Making jam and picking berries are more than just fun seasonal activities—they’re ways to pass on knowledge. They offer a chance to teach children how to live in respectful relationship with the land, to value its gifts, and to understand where food really comes from. These simple experiences build connection, gratitude, and life skills that can carry on for generations.

Being out on the land—whether picking with my nephew, my students, or on my own—always brings small, unexpected moments of connection. One afternoon, as I walked my dog toward the strawberry patch, we startled a mother prairie chicken and about thirty chicks hidden among the grass and berry plants. We had unknowingly interrupted their berry feast. As the birds scattered in every direction, I was reminded that we’re just one part of the larger ecosystem. The wild strawberries aren’t just ours to enjoy—they also nourish other creatures who rely on this land as much as we do. It’s a gentle reminder to not overindulge but to harvest mindfully and practice sharing—respecting the balance that keeps this land healthy for all.

Moments like that remind me how special it is to share in Mother Nature’s bounty. Whether it’s picking berries, cooking with loved ones, or simply spending time outside, these small traditions help connect us to the land and to each other.

We’d love to hear from you!

Do you have special memories or family traditions tied to wild strawberries—or other foods from the land? Maybe a favorite recipe or a meaningful moment spent harvesting? Share your stories in the comments below. Let’s celebrate these simple joys and keep these traditions alive together!

Social Media

If you love wild harvesting and want to connect with others in Alberta, check out and follow our Alberta Foragers Facebook page. We share seasonal updates, recipes, and foraging tips to help you make the most of the land.

_______________________________

If you enjoy our content, as an act of reciprocity, please consider liking and subscribing.

Be well!