Strawberries are accessible in food shops all year. However, not all strawberries are the same, and some may even taste superior at different periods of the year. Why is this the case? It all comes down to when strawberries are in season, which is when they are typically mature. Knowing when strawberries are in season in your area will allow you to experience the most delicious produce. Growing or harvesting your own strawberries guarantees the finest, tastiest produce. So, here’s how to tell when strawberries are in season near you, how long strawberry season lasts, and how to harvest, store, and savor your strawberries.
It’s a typical scenario: you’re excited to make your favorite strawberry treat, so you meticulously pick the most gorgeous strawberries at the store, but when you bring them home and take a taste, you’re left asking, “why aren’t strawberries sweet anymore?”Everyone has been there.
Dr. Marvin P. Pritts, a Cornell University gardening expert, discusses why this is so prevalent. “When strawberries are shipped long distances, such as from California to New York in March, they must be harvested slightly underripe in order to survive the 3,000-mile journey.” “As a result, they may not taste as good as a fully ripe berry harvested locally in June,” he adds.
So, how can you guarantee that the next strawberry you chomp into has a delectable, sugary flavor? The solution is simple: learn when strawberries are in season in your area so you can get fresh, delicious fruit.
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When Are Strawberries In Season?
According to a recent study by the United States Department of Agriculture, “strawberry supplies in the United States typically begin to rise in the spring from all locations.” This makes logic given that May 20 is National Pick Strawberries Day.
“Strawberries are traditionally thought of as a’spring’ crop,” Pritts adds, “but new varieties now allow production to be extended throughout the summer and into the fall—even in northern climates.”
“Strawberries are in season in the eastern and midwestern northern states from mid-May to early July,” says Dr. Gail Nonnecke, gardening professor at Iowa State University and part of The North American Strawberry Growers Association. “Winter production takes place in southern states such as Florida from late November to early April.” Strawberry season in North Carolina usually runs from mid to late April to early June,” she says.
According to a US Department of Agriculture study, California produces approximately 90% of all strawberries produced in the United States. “California harvests from March to August, with some fruit available all year depending on location,” Pritts adds. “Because California is a large state, they can target specific months for production by changing varieties and planting dates.”
How do you increase the sweetness of strawberries?
Grow Your Own Strawberries
Growing your own strawberries is one method to guarantee that you have the finest, freshest strawberries to consume. “Strawberries are adapted to a wide range of climates, are relatively easy to grow, and produce one of the first fruits of the growing season,” Nonnecke adds. “Plus, they’re a welcome sight in a winter garden!”
Strawberry varieties produce fruit throughout the growth season. Some types yield fruit only in the spring (“Junebearing” or short-day variants), while others bear fruit in the summer and autumn. (day-neutral types). Strawberry trees require full light and well-drained dirt with plenty of organic matter if you want to cultivate your own. Strawberries thrive well in pots as well.
Buy Your Strawberries Locally at a Pick-Your-Own Orchard
Berries from a nearby farm are typically picked daily to guarantee the finest goods available. “We always say that fruit tastes better straight from the source,” says Amanda Morgan of Eckert’s Inc., the United States’ biggest family-owned and run pick-your-own farm. “Because they are picked that day, we believe our strawberries are far superior to store-bought berries.” They’re incredibly fresh, and you can tell they haven’t been lying on a vehicle or in storage. Even if you purchase strawberries from our store, they were harvested that morning by our staff.”
When to Pick Strawberries
Strawberries are ready to harvest when they are consistently crimson and solid. “It’s best to look for bright red strawberries with their green cap (botanically called a calyx) still in place,” Morgan adds. The fruit should have a distinct strawberry fragrance, be medium in texture, and be free of mildew. If the strawberries are overly firm and partially translucent, they are not yet mature. If they are mushy, it indicates that they are overripe.”
Tips for Picking the Sweetest Strawberries
Strawberries can be harvested by grasping the stalk just above the fruit and pinching off the stem about 14 inch above the bloom. To preserve the toughness and quality of the strawberries, keep the cover on each berry and delay to cleanse them until just before eating. According to Nonnecke, “berries should be harvested daily in warm weather and every two days in cooler weather.” Pritts recommends “harvesting berries in the morning when they are coolest and putting them directly in the refrigerator” to help fruit last longer in hot conditions.
How to Store Strawberries in the Fridge
Strawberries should be consumed within 2 to 3 days if refrigerated from the date of purchase, or within 8 to 12 months if frozen from the date of purchase, according to the FoodKeeper App developed by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service in collaboration with Cornell University and the Food Marketing Institute.
If you can’t finish your strawberries before they go bad, use them in a berry-filled treat like strawberry shortcakes or strawberry preserves.
