Summer is in full swing, and that means one thing: strawberry season! If you’re lucky enough to have June-bearing strawberry plants in your garden, you’re probably in the midst of a whirlwind 3-6 week harvest season, lasting from mid-June to mid-July.1
But harvesting strawberries isn’t just about plucking them from the vine; there’s a bit of an art to it. To help you make the most of your strawberry bounty, we’ve put together 10 steps to ensure you get the most out of your strawberries from your garden.
1. Choose the Right Time
Strawberries are best harvested in the early morning when the temperatures are cooler and the fruits are still firm from the night’s chill. The sun’s heat can soften strawberries quickly, making them more susceptible to bruising and damage during picking.
Harvesting in the morning also ensures that the fruits are dry, as dew or moisture can promote spoilage.
2. Check for Ripeness
The ideal strawberry is fully red, indicating it has reached peak sweetness and flavor. A ripe strawberry will be plump and have a glossy sheen. Avoid picking strawberries that are still green, as they will be tart and unripe.
Also, white spots on a strawberry indicate that it is not fully mature, and the flavor may not be fully developed.
3. Grasp the Stem
When picking a strawberry, gently grasp the stem between your thumb and forefinger, just above the berry itself. Avoid squeezing the fruit, as strawberries are delicate and can be easily bruised.
Bruised strawberries deteriorate quickly and are more prone to spoilage.
4. Gentle Twist
Once you have a firm hold on the stem, give it a gentle twist while simultaneously pulling it slightly upwards. A ripe strawberry should detach easily from the plant with minimal force.
If you have to tug or pull hard, the strawberry may not be fully ripe, or you may be damaging the plant.
5. Leave the Cap On
The green cap, or calyx, of a strawberry serves as a natural protector for the fruit. It helps prevent moisture loss and keeps the berry fresh.
Removing the cap can expose the fruit to potential contaminants and accelerate spoilage. For this reason, it’s best to leave the cap on until you are ready to eat or use the strawberry.
6. Place in Container
Handle the freshly picked strawberries with care by gently placing them in a shallow container or basket. Ideally, the container should be wide and flat, allowing the berries to rest in a single layer. This prevents the weight of the strawberries from crushing those at the bottom.
Crushed berries release juices, which can hasten spoilage and make the other strawberries in the container messy and prone to mold.
7. Inspect for Damage
Before you move on to pick the next strawberry, take a moment to inspect the ones you have already harvested. Look for any signs of damage, such as soft spots, bruises, or mold. These damaged berries can quickly spread spoilage to the rest of your harvest.
Discard any damaged strawberries to ensure that only the freshest, highest quality fruits remain.
8. Repeat the Process
Continue picking strawberries one at a time, following the same careful technique of grasping the stem, twisting gently, and leaving the cap on. As you pick, move around the plant to ensure that you have harvested all the ripe berries on every side.
Remember, strawberries ripen at different rates, so you may find ripe berries hidden under leaves or on the opposite side of the plant.
9. Don’t Overpick
While it’s tempting to harvest every ripe strawberry you see, it’s important to exercise restraint. Leave some ripe berries on the plant to allow them to continue ripening. This not only ensures that you have a continuous supply of fresh strawberries but also gives the plant time to produce more fruit.
By staggering your harvest, you can extend the strawberry season and enjoy a longer period of fresh berries.
10. Enjoy Your Harvest
The most rewarding part of harvesting strawberries is enjoying the fruits of your labor. Freshly picked strawberries are bursting with flavor and sweetness. Strawberries are a versatile ingredient and can be added to salads, desserts, smoothies, or used to make jams, preserves, and sauces.
Whether you’re using them in recipes or savoring them straight from the vine, these fresh, homegrown strawberries are the perfect way to celebrate the flavors of summer. Happy harvesting!
Source:
Read Next:
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.