Pick, store & preserve strawberries correctly

When is the right time to pick strawberries in the garden? And what is the best way to store and preserve them after the harvest?

Strawberries (Fragaria) have long since become a true classic in many gardens. But harvesting is often only thought about in the summer after planting. However, the time of harvest of the delicious fruits is already determined when selecting the variety and planting. In the following you will find out everything about the right time to harvest your strawberries and we give tips on correct storage and preservation.

to pick strawberries

The harvest depends above all on which variety it is. It is also important to note that strawberries no longer ripen after harvest, so ripening at harvest time is crucial.

Harvest time for strawberries

The ripening time of strawberries depends on the Strawberry variety. Most strawberries ripen in June. However, depending on the weather, early-ripening varieties bear ripe strawberries as early as May, and late-ripening varieties sometimes into September. Varieties that bear several times usually bear once at the beginning of the strawberry season and then again after a break of several weeks. If you plan it cleverly and have enough space available, you can harvest strawberries from your own garden all summer. For a 4-person household, an area of ​​at least 8 m is required² and a combination of early, mid-early and late-ripening varieties, possibly also monthly strawberries or varieties that bear several times. More about the different Strawberry varieties you can find out here in our special article.

With the use of so-called Frigo strawberries the harvest date can be determined much more precisely. They ripen about eight weeks after planting. Because the time of harvest can be better planned, Frigo plants are particularly popular for commercial cultivation. These are runners that are only separated from the mother plant in late autumn. They are then very well developed, their flower differentiation has already been completed. However, these offshoots would no longer grow well in late autumn and are therefore frozen. The plants are sorted by strength based on the rhizome diameter. The stronger and more expensive Frigo plants (so-called A + quality) bear for the first time eight weeks after planting.

Note: Frigo plants that are planted in May, for example, have to grow in hot summer weather, which means that the usual "spring development" falls into quite high temperatures. Irrigation is therefore sometimes unavoidable.

Summary harvest time for strawberries:

• A distinction is made between early, medium early and late ripening as well as between single and multiple bearing strawberry varieties
• Depending on the variety, the harvest is from May to the end of August or even the beginning of September
• With a good combination of early and late-ripening varieties: Harvesting possible throughout the summer (for 4-person households from an area of ​​8 m² to recommend)
• So-called frigo plants (A + quality) can be harvested around 8 weeks after planting, depending on the weather

Picking strawberries: instructions

Since strawberries do not ripen afterwards, a white tip on picked strawberries will not be red even after a few days. Therefore, strawberries should always be harvested when they are fully ripe. Only in this way do they develop all their wonderful flavors and all their sweetness. In order to harvest the strawberries fully ripe, it is advisable to pick 2 to 3 times a week. If you don't want to eat the strawberries directly in the bed, you should harvest in the morning. Then the fruits are even cooler and easier to store.

You can also find ours here Top 10 tips for a successful strawberry harvest.

Store and preserve strawberries

Strawberries are very sensitive fruits and unfortunately do not keep very long fresh. Many varieties that are grown commercially have been selected for shelf life. This is why strawberries from the supermarket (which were usually picked the day before) usually keep quite well in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. Most hobby gardeners tend to plant varieties that have been selected for taste rather than shelf life. These strawberries should not be stored for longer than 2 days, as these particularly tasty fruits will otherwise lose a lot of aroma and their consistency will decrease significantly. To preserve strawberries for a longer period of time, making jam has always proven its worth, just like preserving strawberries or compote.

Keep strawberries in the refrigerator

Fresh strawberries should definitely be kept in the refrigerator. They should be placed in shallow bowls so that the fruits do not lie on top of each other. If possible, you shouldn't put the fruit in the coolest compartment of the refrigerator, but in the vegetable compartment, for example.

Freeze strawberries

A big problem with freezing water-containing fruits such as strawberries or raspberries is the slush that often forms after thawing. This can be avoided more or less well if you don't put the fruits in a deep box and freeze them, but rather pre-freeze them individually. After washing (in a bowl with standing water!) And dabbing dry with kitchen roll, the fruits are placed on a plate, board or tray. The fruits should not touch. This plate is placed in the freezer and removed after two hours. Then the fruits are frozen solid enough that they can be transferred to a box or freezer bag. Then put them back in the freezer as usual. Frozen strawberries should be thawed again after about 8 months at the latest and consumed immediately.

Depending on what purpose the frozen fruits are supposed to serve, the strawberries can also be pureed in boxes or frozen in portions. When filled in ice cube trays, small portions can be thawed, for example for muesli or as a decoration. You can also process the strawberries into ice immediately after harvesting and then freeze them.

For a rich harvest, strawberries do not necessarily have to grow in the bed. Here's how to do it too easily Grow strawberries on the balcony can.