How to Harvest Strawberries

Strawberry plants grow low and run along the ground with runners and daughter plants. These low-growing plants, though, produce sweet, juicy fruits for up to five years. Always plant strawberries in full sunshine, with rich soil and proper drainage, for best fruit production. Look for fruit at cultivar-specific times, and harvest the fruit based on some straightforward signs. These fruits bruise and break easily, so take care when you're harvesting.

Baskets

Instructions

- 1
  Look for the strawberry harvest based on strawberry cultivar. June-bearing cultivars produce berries in spring, everbearing cultivars produce in spring, summer and fall, and day-neutral cultivars produce fruit continuously through the season. These maturity dates give you an idea of harvest time.
- 2
  Wait until strawberries reach uniform red colorations for harvest. These fruits taste best with vine ripening. Begin your harvest when the first berries reach desired size and coloration.
- 3
  Hold the stem above the strawberry and twist gently. Be careful not to bruise or crush the berry itself. If the stem doesn't break, use your fingernails to pinch the stem off. Continue with all ripe berries.
- 4
  Place berries gently in the basket to avoid bruising. Fill your baskets full, then empty them to avoid overfilling and bruising or destroying the berries.
- 5
  Harvest all ripe berries, then re-harvest every two to three days until the harvest is finished.

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