After reading AeroGrow International’s press release for the new Strawberry Patch kit, I wanted to learn more about the strawberry plants I would be receiving.   AeroGrow mentioned that their Sweet Rubies variety had been developed in England by the Edward Vinson Company.

Edward Vinson Limited is a family owned Company based in Kent whose origins go back 150 years.  They have been in the berry production game for 150+ years and are one of the leading innovators of new methods of fruit production. Traditionally, the business concentrated on growing a wide range of fruit and vegetable crops for sale into the London markets.  Today, EVL has adapted to the pressures caused by the global market and increased their concentration on the strawberry crop, building specialist new enterprises in order to meet increasing customer demand for summer fruits.  Recent developments include major investment into the propagation of strawberry plants and the creation of a major new raspberry enterprise in response to customer demand.

Edward Vinson’s Strawberry Breeding Program was established in 1986 with the intention of producing improved Everbearer varieties for the Northern European market.  Currently the program is being extended, planting some 33,000 seedlings per year with the aim of producing improved varieties for the world to enjoy. A co-operation agreement exists with Five Aces Breeding based in Maryland USA.  Five Aces has a similar wide field of activity and the agreement allows “significant benefits to both parties.”

You can find out more information about Edward Vinson Limited at their website: www.edwardvinson.co.uk