For many people, going to a berry U-Pick farm on a warm summer day can be a fun and relaxing activity. Some pick fruit for fresh consumption right after the harvest, some for a pie to be enjoyed that evening, and others for winter storage. Fresh berries are highly valued for their health and nutritional benefits.
The berry picking season starts with strawberries. There are plenty of strawberry U-Picks near Rochester; Monroe County Cornell Cooperative Extension has compiled a list at http://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/agriculture/local-food-guide/strawberry-u-pick-farms. Call or check the farm’s social media for the latest information, as hours could change daily based on availability and weather.
This year’s favorable weather should deliver a bountiful harvest. But as they are delicious, strawberries are also delicate. Whether you are picking them, placing them in the container, or carrying the filled containers – make sure to handle them gently.
Here are some easy tips to ensure that your freshly-picked harvest will make it home with minimum bruising; they will look better and keep longer if handled correctly. When picking, hold the stem above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion. With the stem broken about one-half inch from the berry, let it roll into the palm of your hand. Repeat using both hands until each holds three or four berries.
Carefully place the fruit into your containers but be sure not to overfill it. The fruit layer should be no more than five inches deep to avoid bruising the lower level. Some varieties cap easily; picking berries without the cap will result in some bruising but is fine for the fruit that will be used soon after picking. So, decide how you will use the berries after you bring them home.
While picking at a U-Pick farm, be careful not to damage the plants or fruits by stepping on them. Pick only at the rows that have been assigned to you and pick only the berries that are fully red. This might include parting the leaves with your hands to look for berries ready for harvest.
Berries to be used immediately may be picked any time. To hold the fruit for a few days, pick them in the early morning or on cool, cloudy days. Berries picked during the heat of the day become soft, are easily bruised, and do not keep well. Keep the picked berries out of the sun. Place them outside in the shade rather than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Give the harvested fruit a soft ride home.
Cool your berries as soon as possible after picking. Strawberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for three or more days, depending upon the initial quality of the berry. After a few days in storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor and tends to shrivel.
Happy picking!
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