The methods for growing strawberries are easy to adopt. With little and simple maintenance, the plants will provide you with fruit year after year. However, identifying the strawberry in its bloom and picking it without damaging it can be more challenging. For this reason, in this article we will tell you how you should harvest strawberries!
Strawberries are delicate fruits and bruise easily, so you need to be very careful when picking them. It is important to note that any damage to the fruit during harvest will impact its shelf life, which is crucial to your future storage plans. In short: strawberries keep better when they are in perfect condition. Before we tell you the best way to harvest strawberries, we should clarify when the right time is.
When is the right time to pick?
The strawberry season lasts three to four weeks. So it's not only important to know how to harvest strawberries, but also when. The usual time for this is June - when the fruits are already ripe. However, if you grow different varieties of strawberries with different ripening times in your garden, you can enjoy the juicy taste of the fruit for longer.
- Tipp: If the fruits have green, white or pink spots, this is a clear sign that they are not yet ready to harvest. Once the fruit is completely red and has no discoloration, especially where it connects to the stem, it is ready to harvest.
Harvesting strawberries – Here’s how to do it without hurting them
The best way to pick strawberries is to grasp the stem between your index finger and thumb and gently twist the fruit to pull it out. Let the strawberry roll in your palm. Carefully place the fruit in a container. Continue picking in this manner, being careful not to overfill the container with strawberries so they don't hurt each other.
You can also cut the strawberries with secateurs, but be careful not to let them fall to the ground. We repeat it again because it is important - they can easily get injured and it is important to take every precaution to prevent this. After harvesting, refrigerate the berries as quickly as possible, but do not wash them until you are ready to use them.
Additionally, you should remove any damaged fruits while picking the good ones to prevent the plants from rotting.
The best time to pick strawberries is early in the morning when the fruit is still cool.
Recipes with fresh strawberries - delicious ideas for light summer desserts or a healthy snack to lose weightcan be found here!
How to store freshly picked strawberries
You can store freshly picked strawberries from the garden in a shady place for a few hours. If you do not want to eat or use them on the day of harvest, you should store them at 2 degrees Celsiusput in the fridge. Don't wash the strawberries before putting them in the fridge and leave the green heads on.If you have the strawberriesHowever, if you want to store them for longer, you can wash them and freeze them for up to 3 months.
Strawberries are very tasty when picked fresh from the plant, especially if you pick them at flowering time. They taste completely different than store-bought ones.
They are suitable for planting both in the garden and in a pot if you want to create a home garden. Its versatility makes it the preferred crop for cultivation in small and large areas.
- Notice: And if you are wondering which strawberry variety to choose for planting, it is important to know that there are no poisonous strawberries, neither for people nor for animals. The selection of varieties is large. Just consider the needs of the fruit and the growing conditions available to you.
How can you plant strawberries and enjoy a good harvest,find out here!
