Sweet and bright, National Strawberry Month beckons in May.

We eat them fresh out of the garden, blend them in smoothies, add them to parfaits and bake them into pies. Strawberries tantalize us in ice cream and milkshakes, too. We create preserves with them and give them to our sweethearts covered in chocolate or whipped cream.

These slightly tart berries aren't even berries. Strawberries belong to the rose family and reproduce from runners, not seeds. There are over 400 different varieties, and each berry produces approximately 200 seeds on the outside of the fruit.

They're nutritious, too. Strawberries are low in sugar and excellent sources of vitamins C and K.

HOW TO OBSERVE

• Visit a pick-you-own-strawberries-farm.
• Plant a few strawberry plants if you have space.
• Make one of these strawberry recipes: Saturday Morning Strawberry Pastry Strawberry Shortcake Strawberry Rhubarb Pie