Something to do, and you didn't have to be living there already to plant your own in advance.

We have great strawberries in our yard that we planted -the pheasants are loving them... We have managed to get a couple to taste :)

Why put the sugar on top? Is that necessary to prevent freezer burn or something like that?

I would like to tell you why - but I have no idea, it is just what they do. My wife saying something about that they can go a bit bitter once frozen... but I didn't really listen past that ;D