Stages of Strawberries

First Year of Planting

• To encourage more runner growth and a vigorous plant, pinch off all flower clusters in the first year because no fruit is harvested that first year to allow the plant to establish securely and promote growth and runners. By pinching off the flowers, the strawberry plant will produce better quality fruit in the next and ensuing years.

Early Stages

• Strawberries are perennials and are dormant during the off-season or winter months. During this period, the remaining leaves on the plant turn a reddish-purple. The first sign out of dormancy is new, bright green leaves emerging from the plant's crown. The crown of the strawberry plant swells as the flower trusses grow and begin to emerge. Flower petals are now visible in the flower trusses or clusters.

Runner Stage

• Runner plants develop from the mother plant and anchor their roots to form producing plants. These runners form crowns from which the flower trusses develop and emerge to bear fruit. The first flower to bloom in the cluster is the primary blossom. Secondary and tertiary blooms start opening and the fruit starts forming from the primary blossom.

Berry Stage

• When the berries first appear from the primary blossom, they are green in color and about as big as a fingertip. As they mature, they grow in size and begin changing color to red. This color stage occurs in increments from green to white to pale pink to red. Strawberries are ready to harvest when they reach a deep, rich red in color.