Question:
When should strawberries be harvested?Answer:
Harvest strawberries when the fruit are uniformly red (fully ripe). Strawberry cultivars can differ on what shade of red indicates they are fully ripe. A substantial white ring inside of the berry usually indicates when a berry is not fully ripe. Taste each cultivar to see what color indicates the optimal flavor for you.
Pick the berries with the caps and stems attached to retain firmness and quality. Pinch off the stem about 1/4 inch above the cap. Don’t pull them off. Pulling them off can create a wound, which can decrease the berry shelf-life.
Strawberries should be picked about every other day in warm weather and every three to four days in cool weather. The harvest period for some June-bearing varieties may last three to four weeks. Strawberries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five to seven days. Ideal storage conditions are 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 90% to 95% relative humidity.