What month is the season for picking strawberries

The season for picking strawberries is generally from March to May, and the specific time is affected by factors such as climate conditions, planting methods, variety differences, regional distribution, and picking management.

1. Climate conditions

Strawberries are cool and heat sensitive crops, suitable for growing in environments between 15-25 degrees Celsius. After the temperature rises in spring, strawberries enter a period of rapid growth, during which the large temperature difference between day and night is conducive to sugar accumulation. The spring warming in northern regions is relatively late, and the harvesting period may be postponed to mid April; Strawberries grown in greenhouses in warm southern regions can mature as early as late February.

2. Planting Method

Strawberries grown in the open air rely entirely on natural climate and mature from March to May. Greenhouse cultivation can achieve off-season production by adjusting temperature and humidity, and some greenhouse strawberries can be launched in December. The three-dimensional soilless cultivation technology can further extend the harvesting period, and some varieties can achieve annual supply.

3. Variety Differences

Early maturing varieties such as Hongyan and Zhangji can be harvested in early March, medium maturing varieties such as Sweet Charlie and Flandres tend to mature in April, and late maturing varieties such as Snow White can last until late May. Four season strawberry varieties can bear fruit all year round in suitable environments, but the main yield is still concentrated in spring.

4. Regional Distribution

There are significant latitude differences in strawberry production areas in China. The northern production areas such as Liaoning and Hebei are concentrated in May and June; Central production areas such as Jiangsu and Zhejiang are in April and May; Southern regions such as Guangdong and Guangxi can harvest from January to March. Due to lower temperatures, the maturity period in high-altitude mountainous areas will be delayed compared to plain areas.

5. Picking Management

professional strawberry orchards will extend the harvesting period through measures such as batch planting, temperature control, and supplementary lighting. The best quality of the first crop fruit is concentrated in March and April; The fruit will gradually become smaller in the later stage. When picking, choose fruits with a completely red surface and rolled sepals. Strawberries picked on cloudy days or in the early morning are more durable for storage. Strawberries should be consumed or refrigerated as soon as possible after harvesting, as they are prone to spoilage at room temperature. Retaining the fruit stem during cleaning can reduce nutrient loss, and soaking in diluted salt water after rinsing with running water can help remove surface residues. Strawberries are rich in vitamin C and anthocyanins, but they should not be consumed in large quantities on an empty stomach due to their cool nature. People with weak gastrointestinal function can make fruit sauce or pair it with yogurt for consumption. Choose strawberries from regular planting bases to avoid the risk of pesticide residues. When picking, pay attention to wearing comfortable clothing and sunscreen.