strawberry are a soft fruit and must be handle mildly during the picking process . Berries may also be easier or harder to pick depending on the variety . Once you learn the proficiency , however , you’re able to ensure your crop will not be damage . How you handle them after harvest also makes a departure to computer storage life .
Strawberry Growing Basics
Strawberries are recurrent forbs that spread primarily through their stolon . They do best in deep , loose soil that run out well and if drain is a problem , utilise raised beds . A mulch helps keep back wet and keeps berries light . They can begrownin USDA zone 3 to 10 , although planting time are after in colder areas . Most gardeners remove the plants after the third year due to disease problems .
Everbearing Varieties
Everbearing is a bit of a misnomer with these strawberries . They actually bear two crops a year in most cases – a spring crop and a late summer or fall craw . They produce fewerrunners , so they procreate more easy . These are possibilities :
Day-Neutral Varieties
Temperature is what matters with these mixed bag , not sidereal day length . They will produce as long as temperatures range between 35 and 85 ° F ( 2 and 29 ° coulomb ) . Often found in maritime areas , their fruit is smaller than that of other types . Try these varieties :
June Bearing Varieties
June bearing strawberries , as the name imply , lean to produce yield in or near June . They bear only once a year , but typically bring out larger berries than other eccentric . These form are promptly available :
When to Pick
When you nibble will depend on whether your plants are June bearers , twenty-four hour period neutral or everbearers . In ecumenical , Berry come along about four to six weeks after the plantsbloom . If you plan to use the yield immediately , you may clean at any time of Clarence Day . If you want to stack away the yield for a few day , it ’s good to pick early in the morning .
How to Judge Ripeness
Color is the primary key to ripeness . A strawberry that is not completely red or that has yellow or light-green spot is not fully ripe . You want to catch the berry when it is a full , deep red and the surface is slightly lustrous . With a miscellany that you have n’t develop before , you ’ll have to blame a few and penchant . let on partly mature Chuck Berry to more sunlight to hasten ripen .
Picking Considerations
Some strawberries – Surecrop is an example – shoot off easily with a portion of stem still attached . Others , like Sparkle , must have the stem pinched or switch off off to prevent them from bruising . Berries that cap easily – extract free leave a little of the green calyx attached – should be used immediately as they will not store well . Capping is not specific to certain variety show .
Choosing Containers
bass containers increase the risk that strawberry on the bottom will be smashed ; the yield is quite fragile . Your containers should be no more than five inch abstruse . Loosely woven flat basket or the plastic heart-to-heart - work box find in foodstuff memory make good containers . strawberry mark succus will sully , so view that factor when choosing container .
How to Pick
Using the forefinger and thumbnail of one hand , hold on the base just above the berry . softly pull with a slight twisting motion . The bow should break about half an inch above the berry . let the Charles Edward Berry to roll into your palm tree . Once you have three or four berries in each hand , lightly lay the fruit into the container . Pay attention as you move to the next industrial plant not to step or kneel on plants and Charles Edward Berry .
As You Pick
ensure to check under parting as you move down the row . Ripe berries are often found hiding under leave-taking . Remove any berries that have been damaged by insect or that are over - ripe , as they can affect further yield arrange and increase the risk of disease . Berries that show signboard of rot or sunburn should also be polish off . beak the full row except for unripe Charles Edward Berry .
Storing Fresh-Picked Strawberries
It ’s best to stash away only those strawberries plunk first thing in the morn . Cool them quickly and do n’t allow them to sit in the Sunday after picking . you’re able to normally keep them in the refrigerator for three or four day ; after that they run to shrivel and become soft . Do n’t lave the berries until just before you use them , as it encourages rot .
