Picking strawberries is an activity that can be fun for the entire family at the peak of their season.It's easy to pick up strawberries if you've never done it before.You just need to know how to care for them once they're picked.
Step 1: Make sure your containers are ready.
You need a container to put the strawberries in, so they don't get damaged.You can use containers at a you-pick farm.They usually charge for them, so you may want to bring your own.You do not want a container that is too deep because you may bruise the berries on the bottom.If you pick lightweight containers, you will have to carry them with you.Tupperware, metal oven pans, and plastic dishpans with sides that are at least 3-inches tall work well.A wicker basket is a good option.If you have to sit or kneel on the ground to pick the berries, you may want to bring a garden cushion or knee pads to make it more comfortable.
Step 2: Look for red fruit.
It is important to pick strawberries that are fully red.When you pick strawberries, they should look like you want to eat them.If the strawberry is red, you can pick it.There are berries with white, yellow, or greenish tips.When you touch the strawberries, make sure they are firm and plump.
Step 3: The berry stem should be grabbed.
When you are ready to pick a strawberry, take hold of its stem with your index finger and thumbnail.Don't squeeze the fruit to make it bruise the berry.Surecrop berries are easy to pick because they snap off the stem when they're mature, so you don't have to worry about handling them very carefully.If you don't know what type they are, it's best to handle them gently.
Step 4: The berry should be turned at the stem.
If you want to make sure you don't damage the berries you pick, sever them from the plant at the stem.Pull lightly if you twist it between your fingers.Allow the strawberry to roll down into your palm, and continue the process until your hand is full, which usually means 3 or 4 berries.Continue until you have enough fruit by placing the berries in your container.As you pick the strawberries, be careful not to step or kneel on the plants.Remove rotten strawberries from the plant if you come across them.You can throw them away at home.You will usually be directed to leave the damaged berries in the center of the row.Don't leave your containers of berries out in the sun.They need a shady spot to stay fresh.Try to drive slowly so the strawberries don't get hit.They will not get bruised.
Step 5: Grow your own.
If you enjoy eating strawberries regularly, planting your own may be the best option.You will always have your own batches to pick from.You can grow Strawberries wherever you live, because there are varieties that grow in just about every climate.If you want to increase your chances for plentiful, healthy berries, it is best to start with bare-roots plant.In most climates, strawberries should be planted in the spring.If you live in a mild climate, you can plant in the fall.If you live in an area with cold winters, you should mulch your strawberry plants to protect them from winter damage.You can keep the plants safe by covering them with straw.There are a variety of pests and diseases that affect strawberry plants.Purchase plants that are disease-free and remove any rotten fruit to reduce the chance of problems.When you begin to notice signs of decline, you will need to replace your strawberry plants.The plants will last three years.
Step 6: You can visit a farm.
If you don't have a green thumb, you can still pick strawberries at a local farm.You have a better chance of finding high quality fruit at these farms because they usually have large fields of strawberries.Store-bought berries can have as much pesticide as a you-pick farm, but they usually have less.You-pick farms usually sell strawberries by the pound.You can pick a good variety of fruit during your trip if the farms have other in-season fruit, such as raspberries and blueberries.If you don't know where to find a you-pick farm in your area, do an online search.
Step 7: Get the weather and timing right.
Depending on where you live, strawberries can be found during the months of April, May, and June.The earlier the berries are ripe, the warmer your location is.If you are going to pick at a farm, you should call before you go to make sure there is a supply available.It is best to leave early if you are going to a you-pick farm.The fields will be cleaned by mid-day.If you pick strawberries on hot, sunny days, they will likely spoil more quickly than those picked on cooler days.It is best to pick strawberries in the cooler part of the morning or on a cool, overcast day.It takes 10 to 15 minutes to pick a quart of strawberries, so make sure you give yourself enough time.
Step 8: The damaged berries should be removed.
When you get home, you may end up with some rotten or damaged berries, no matter how careful you are with them.If there are obvious signs of damage, pour the fruit into shallow pans and sort through it.You can eat strawberries that have been thrown away.
Step 9: Before use, wash the strawberries.
It is important to not wash your strawberries until you are ready to use them.The berries will spoil more quickly if they are washed.Get them clean by running them under cold water.Don't let the berries sit in the water when you wash them.That will cause them to be more prone to mold.
Step 10: You can store it in the refrigerator.
If strawberries are left at room temperature, they will mold quickly.You should keep them in the refrigerator because it's the best temperature for preserving them.If you can, put them in your crisper drawer.Depending on how ripe the strawberries were when you picked them, they will last about a week in the refrigerator.It is best to eat them within a few days of picking.If you have a lot of strawberries, it's a good idea to dry them, they make great snacks and can be used for baking, cereals and desserts.You can see how to dry strawberries.
Step 11: Some berries should be prepared for freezing.
If you have more berries than you can eat in a few days, you should freeze them so they don't spoil before you use them.The green, lefty cap is at the top of the berries.Next, wash them with cold water.The berries should be dried for at least 10 minutes to get rid of any excess water.
Step 12: The initial freeze should be on a cookie sheet.
Place your clean berries on a cookie sheet or baking pan lined with wax paper.Don't let the berries stick to one another if they're in a single layer.Allow them to sit in the freezer for a while.If you prefer, you can slice the berries before placing them on the cookie sheet.
Step 13: The frozen berries should be placed in freezer bags.
You can transfer the berries to plastic freezer bags after the initial freeze.To prevent freezer burn, it's important to squeeze out as much air as possible from the bags.Place the berries on the coldest shelf in the freezer after they're packaged.If you have a vacuum system, it is a good idea to use it on the freezer bags of strawberries.If you don't have a vacuum sealer, close the freezer bags almost all the way, leaving just enough room for a straw.Take all the air out of the bag and pinch the straw closed.To keep the bag air-tight, pull it out and close it.If you write the date on the freezer bag, you will know how old the strawberries are.6 months is how long strawberries will last in the freezer.