Lightweight containers work best because you’ll have to carry them with you as you pick. Tupperware, metal oven pans, and plastic dishpans with sides that are at least 3-inches tall work well. Wicker baskets are a good option too. Because you may need to sit or kneel on the ground to pick the berries, you may also want to bring knee pads or a garden cushion to make it more comfortable.
Make sure that the strawberries that you pick are plump and feel firm when you touch them too.
Some varieties of strawberries, such as Surecrop berries, are easier to pick than others because they easily snap off the stem when they’re mature so you don’t have to worry too much about handling them very carefully. However, it’s best to handle all berries gently in case you don’t know what type they are.
Be careful not to step or kneel on the strawberries or plants as you’re picking. If you come across strawberries that are rotten, riddled with insects, burned by sun, or otherwise damaged, remove them from the plant. At home, you can simply throw them away. At a you-pick farm, you’ll usually be directed to leave the damaged berries in the center of the row for collection. If possible, don’t leave your containers of picked berries out in the sun. Find a shady spot to keep them so they’ll stay fresh. Try to drive home carefully so the strawberries aren’t jostled too much. That will keep them from getting bruised.
In most climates, strawberries should be planted in early spring. However, if you live in a mild climate, you can also plant in the fall. If you live in an area with cold winters, make sure to mulch your strawberry plants to protect them from frost and other winter damage. You can lay straw loosely over the plants to keep them safe in the cold weather. Strawberry plants are subject to a variety of pests and diseases, such strawberry root weevils, mites, and verticillium wilt. Make sure to purchase plants that are certified disease-free and remove any diseased portions or rotten fruit to reduce the chance of problems. You’ll need to replace your strawberry plants when you begin to notice signs of decline. Typically, the plants will last approximately three years.
You-pick farms typically sell strawberries by the pound. In many cases, the farms might also have other in-season fruit that you can pick, such as raspberries and blueberries, so you can pick a good variety of fruit during your trip. If you’re not sure where to find a you-pick farm in your area, do an online search to locate the nearest option.
If you’re going to a you-pick farm on a weekend, it’s best to leave early. In many cases, the fields will be picked clean by mid-day. Keep in mind that strawberries picked on hot, sunny days are likely going to spoil more quickly than those picked on cool days. If you’re not going to use the strawberries that you pick right away, it’s best to pick them in cooler part of the morning or on a cool, overcast day. It takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to pick a quart of strawberries, so make sure you give yourself enough time to pick as many as you need.
Rotten strawberries should be thrown away, while you can toss or eat those that were squashed in transit.
Don’t allow the berries to soak or sit in the water when you’re washing. That will make them mushy and more prone to mold.
In the refrigerator, strawberries will last about a week, depending on how ripe they were when you picked them. It’s usually best to eat them within a few days of picking, though. If you have a glut of strawberries, one great way to store extras is to dry them; dried strawberries make great snacks and can be used for baking, cereal mixes and desserts. See How to Dry Strawberries for details on dehydrating strawberries for prolonged storage.
Allow the berries to dry for at least 10 minutes to get rid of any excess water before freezing.
You can slice the berries before placing them on the cookie sheet if you prefer.
If you have a vacuum sealer system, it’s a good idea to use it on the freezer bags of strawberries before they go in the freezer. If you don’t have a vacuum sealer, close the freezer bags almost all the way, leaving just enough room for a straw. Suck all the air out of the bag through the straw, and pinch the straw closed. Pull it out, and quickly close the bag to keep it as air-tight as possible. Write the date on the freezer bag before you put the strawberries in the freezer so you’ll always know how old they are. Strawberries will last for approximately 6 months in the freezer.
