What month is the time to pick strawberries

The best time to pick strawberries is usually from March to May each year, which is influenced by factors such as climate conditions, strawberry varieties, planting methods, regional differences, and maturity assessments.

1. Climate conditions

Strawberries prefer coolness and are afraid of high temperatures. When the temperature stabilizes at 15-25 degrees Celsius in spring, it is most conducive to fruit ripening. The temperature difference between day and night is large in northern regions, and the accumulation of sugar in fruits is more abundant. In southern regions, it is necessary to avoid the rainy season to prevent fruit mold. Greenhouse planting can extend the harvesting period to early spring or late autumn.

2. Strawberry Varieties

Early maturing varieties such as Hongyan usually mature in early March, medium maturing varieties such as Zhangji concentrate in April, and late maturing varieties such as Sweet Charlie can continue until late May. Four season strawberries can be harvested in multiple seasons, but the fruit quality is optimal in spring. Different varieties require 30-45 days from flowering to maturity.

3. Planting method

Outdoor cultivation relies on natural climate and is concentrated in the spring when it matures. The maturity period of greenhouse can be advanced to 1-2 months or postponed to June through temperature control. Stereoscopic cultivation, due to uniform light exposure, results in fruit ripening about a week earlier than ground cultivation. Organic grown strawberries mature slightly later than conventional grown ones.

4. Regional Differences

Harvesting can start as early as February in southern China, concentrated in March April in the Yangtze River Basin, April May in the Huang Huai region, and may be delayed until May June in northeastern China. High altitude areas mature half a month later than plains, while coastal areas mature about a week earlier than inland areas.

5. Maturity judgment

The optimal harvesting period is when more than 80% of the fruit surface is dark red, and early harvesting affects sweetness. Picking on sunny days with dry dew can extend the shelf life, while picking on rainy days may be delayed by 2-3 days. When the connection between the fruit and the fruit stem is easily separated, it indicates complete maturity. If the hardness is too high, it needs to wait again.

When picking, it is recommended to avoid high temperatures in the morning or evening and carry breathable containers to avoid squeezing. Freshly picked strawberries should be refrigerated and stored within 12 hours. Keeping the stem during cleaning can reduce nutrient loss. People with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold should not consume on an empty stomach, and those with allergies should try a small amount for the first time. Home planting can be matured in advance by covering with plastic film, while commercial planting requires adjusting the harvesting time according to the target market.