How to Pick Your Own Strawberries

Even without a garden, you can pick your own strawberries. Of course, it's easier if your strawberry plants are in your backyard and are just overflowing with ripe fruit, but if you didn't plant these delicious red berries or your own crop was meager, pick your own strawberries from someone else's bountiful garden.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 

   Locate a pick your own berry farm near you. If there aren't any advertised, check out the local farmer's market and ask strawberry vendors if they allow pick-your-own customers on their farms. Talk to neighbors or local farmers who have strawberry fields and see if they'll sell some to you. Photo: Girl picking strawberries.

2. 

   Select the berries based on color. Choose red ones for immediate use and for making preserves or jam. Almost-ripe berries will keep for eating during the next few days, and orangey-red ones will ripen a bit later. Avoid the green berries, which will not have much flavor if picked unripe. Photo: Ripening berries.

3. 

   Pull the strawberries gently from their stems, leaving the green leaf crown on the top of the berries unless you plan to use them immediately for preserves (such as the ones in this basket). Photo: Basket of strawberries.

4. 

   Fill your basket or container layer by layer, taking care not to bruise or smash the juicy fruit. Photo: Berries ready to take home.

Resources

• Grow the Best Strawberries: Storey Country Wisdom
• The Backyard Berry Book: A Hands-On Guide to Growing Berries, Brambles, and Vine Fruit in the Home Garden
• Simple Home & Garden Blog

[Karenc1972]

on 3/25/2008 Great article and fab pics...wish my strawberries would start growing now!!

[Karenc1972]

on 3/25/2008 Great article and fab pics...wish my strawberries would start growing now!!

[GlindaLupo]

on 2/9/2008 I am a major berry grower (and I just love them).
Your article is excellent; very good advice.
-Glinda :D