Strawberry Harvest

Strawberry harvest

Strawberries are the first locally-produced fruit of the year to ripen. Harvest frequently begins as early as the first week in June and extends for 4 to 5 weeks into early July, depending upon variety selected, your location, and the system selected for winter protection.

How long is strawberry harvest season?

According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report, about 90 percent of strawberries in the United States are primarily grown in California. "California harvests from March through August, with some fruit available year around depending on location," says Pritts.

How many times a year can you harvest strawberries?

Recommended Varieties of Strawberries Ever Bearing varieties have two harvests per season and Day Neutral varieties produce fruit throughout the season. June Bearing varieties are great for canning or freezing, whereas Ever Bearing and Day Neutral varieties are good for snacking on throughout the season.

How long do strawberries take to grow?

For June-bearing varieties it takes about four weeks from plants flowering to picking fruit. Day neutral and ever-bearing types begin flowering around the same time in the spring and take about the same time between flowering and harvest. The difference is that they keep flowering through the summer months.

Do you pick strawberries as soon as they turn red?

Fruit is typically ready for harvesting 4-6 weeks after blossoming. Harvest only fully red (ripe) berries, and pick every three days. Cut by the stem; do not pull the berry or you could damage the plant. For June-bearer strawberries, the harvest will last up to 3 weeks.

Should you pick strawberries as soon as they turn red?

The fresh berries should be picked when they are completely red. Not all the berries will ripen at the same time, so plan on harvesting strawberries every two to three days.

What is the lifespan of a strawberry plant?

Under ideal conditions, a strawberry plant can live up to 5-6 years. After 3 productive years, however, they usually begin to lose vigor, and the production of strawberries begins to decline rapidly.

How many years do strawberry plants last?

Strawberry plants can produce fruit for up to four or five years. However, the crop yield mahy reduce dramatically after the first two or three years due to disease, so we recommend buying a new plant at that time.

Should strawberries be cut back each year?

Cutting back plants after they have completed fruiting helps regenerate new growth for the following year's crop. And by doing so in mid-summer, it also allows them enough time to grow a bit of foliage for winter protection.

Do strawberries need a lot of water?

During normal weather conditions, strawberries need water equal to 1 to 1.5 inches of rain each week. During hot, dry periods, water as needed to prevent shallow roots from drying out. Plants in containers may need daily watering. Always water early in the day so that foliage dries well before nightfall.

How many strawberries will one plant produce?

While their berries are smaller, they usually produce up to one quart per plant when all is said and done. For fresh consumption, I recommend planting six to seven strawberry plants per person. That means 24 to 28 well-cared for strawberry plants will easily feed a family of 4.

How many times a year do strawberries fruit?

Everbearing strawberries produce three periods of flowers and fruit during the spring, summer and fall. Everbearers do not produce many runners. Day neutral strawberries will produce fruit throughout the growing season.

Do strawberries get sweeter later in season?

Strawberries get darker after picking them, but not sweeter. Rather than depending on color, smell the berries! If they smell strong and sweet, they're ripe.

Why are my strawberries red but not sweet?

If the weather was cold, cloudy, or rainy during the growing season in May and June, or if temperatures soared to extreme levels, then your berries could be sour or bitter in response. Poor soil conditions, low sun levels, and planting at the wrong time can all lead to sour or bitter harvests.

How long can strawberries sit out after picking?

Strawberries should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cutting them. If they are left out for more than 2 hours, throw them away.

What color is a ripe strawberry?

Usually the unripe strawberries are green, then during the ripening process they turn white and finally red.

Why are my strawberries so small?

Small seedy fruit and uneven growth are symptoms of poor pollination. If the seeds are not pollinated, they do not stimulate the growth of the berry around them. Very small seedy fruit are an indication that the flower was not pollinated and growth was stunted.

Should you remove strawberry runners?

Remove Unwanted Runners Removing early strawberry runners from your plants will allow the plants to put all their energy into remaining healthy and producing a bounty of fruit. Simply keep your eyes open for runners forming and cut off unwanted runners so they can't take too much energy from the plants.

What to do with strawberry plants at end of season?

Winterizing strawberry plants simply involves heaping mulch over plants so they're not exposed to cold winter air. The trick is knowing when to apply the mulch. You want to cover plants when they're fully dormant. Cover too soon, and plants may fail to harden off, which means they'll definitely be damaged by cold air.

Do strawberry plants come back every?

Strawberries are perennial plants — they go through a period of dormancy in the winter and return in early spring ready to go again for another growing season. With a minimal amount of preparation for getting them through cold temperatures, your strawberry plants in pots can be as productive as in-ground plants.