So, when are strawberries in season? Strawberry season is a welcome respite from the dreary winter months. After months of crisp, chilly days, it’s time for a fresh start and a new growing season.
No matter where in the United States you live, you should be able to get your hands on some deliciously ripe and juicy strawberries almost any time of the year. It has been possible because of the vast improvements in agricultural practices and shipping methods. However, this ease sometimes compromises the taste and texture of the strawberries. Compared to berries picked straight from the plant in late spring and early summer, the strawberries available year-round in grocery stores tend to be watery and lacking in flavor.
To get the freshest strawberries, you’ll need to know when the berries are at their peak of freshness. In this article, you will learn when strawberry season is in your region and how to get the tastiest berries possible.
Are Strawberries in Season All Year?
No, strawberries are not in season all year and strawberry season varies from region to region. Around the United States, the strawberry season peaks in June. Strawberry season typically lasts about a month, coinciding with the changeover from spring to summer. Farmers refer to them as “June-Bearing” variants!
To quote the U.S. Department of Agriculture: “Strawberry supplies in the United States normally begin to climb from all sites” (from all locations, it seems, in the spring). It is keeping with the fact that May 20th is National Pick Strawberries Day.
Sometimes, it is possible to pick strawberries outside their prime harvesting season. These kinds of strawberries are known as Day-Neutral strawberries.
Depending on where you live, you may be able to start picking strawberries as early as May in the South, while you may have to wait until July to get the best strawberries if you live in the north. Although strawberry harvesting slows down throughout the summer months, certain types of strawberries continue to bear fruit right up to the first frost of the fall season.
If you want strawberries with a sweeter flavor, you should go for June-bearing strawberries, which are most likely to be found in the South. It means that even though you will miss the second fruiting, you will get unique berries during the peak spring season.
The strawberry season typically lasts approximately a month; however, its length might vary depending on how warm the days are. Apart from this, the ripening process slows down if there is wet weather and chilly temperatures, which might extend the opportunity to purchase strawberries.
On the other hand, dry and warm days may hasten it. Therefore, if you are interested in going strawberry picking, you should start making preparations as soon as the first few berries turn a bright ruby red color. This season is priceless, but it won’t last forever.
What Is the Best Month to Buy Strawberries?
Strawberries are at their prime in much of the United States in June. You could also find them at farmers’ markets in the autumn due to ever-bearing types that can yield until the first frost. At this point, you can find strawberries in every grocery shop in any state. Whether it is the Fourth of July or a day in the middle of winter doesn’t matter.
According to a United States Department of Agriculture survey, California produces nearly 90% of the country’s strawberries.
However, the flavor has been sacrificed for a long time to save costs, improve portability, and ensure a steady supply. Unfortunately, people do not eat strawberries at their pinnacle of taste.
Purchasing them during Christmas isn’t a good idea. California strawberries are difficult to come by this season; a small quantity you get is from Mexico. The quantity is limited, and the taste is often not very excellent either.
The “national strawberry season” often runs from January to November in the USA. It is owing to this and the many places where strawberries are grown. The months of late April and May are often the best times to gather fresh strawberries in the Deep South.
How to Pick the Best Strawberries?
Look for strawberries that have the following qualities, whether you’re attempting to harvest strawberries from pots in your garden or picking the finest ones from a farm that lets customers choose their fruit:
- Deep red color
- A lustrous and smooth surface
- Bright, fresh green stems
- Firmness in the middle with a taut skin texture
- Noticeable strawberry scent
How to Keep Strawberries Fresh?
Strawberries must be refrigerated if you wish to keep them for more than a day. The best way to keep strawberries fresh for as long as possible is to store them carefully.
Freshly harvested strawberries have a wonderful aroma and are full of nutrients like vitamin C and folic acid. Because strawberries are so sensitive, they may go bad in seconds. Additionally, long shipping routes may take a toll.
To guarantee that you get the freshest fruits possible, purchasing from a nearby farmer’s market or selecting them yourself is preferable. So you must know how to keep your strawberries fresh after getting them home safely.
Store strawberries at room temperature and eat them within 24 hours after purchase. Remove the stalks and leaves from the fruit before eating since water will remove the fruit’s fragrance. Strawberries have a high water content; therefore, mold may grow fast if you do not remove the bad parts at once.
When Are Strawberries in Season in Pennsylvania?
Strawberries ripening gives the signal of the arrival of summer. In June, the berries appear in farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and grocery shops throughout central Pennsylvania. It is the best time to pick fresh, luscious berries. You can consume them straight out of the bowl, incorporate them into smoothies, or use them as a topping for a homemade strawberry shortcake. The harvest should be rather numerous so long as the weather continues to be favorable and does not suddenly become too hot.
When Are Strawberries in Season in Maryland?
If you’re a fan of the luscious red berries, the strawberry season in Maryland is a beautiful time to visit.
The prime time to go strawberry picking at a pick-your-own fruit farm is between the middle of May and the end of June. It is also the best time to visit a farm overall.
You may find detailed information on when and where to pick strawberries on the you-pick farm’s website or social media accounts.
Pick your strawberry farms in Maryland will open at various times throughout the year, so check their websites for specific dates. Pick your fresh berries and enjoy strawberry pie filling, jams, and other sweet delicacies with the abundance of fresh berries available at this time of the year.
When Are Strawberries in Season in Florida?
It’s not uncommon for people to think of California when thinking of strawberries, yet Florida is the winter strawberry capital. As a result, throughout the summer, you may be able to find strawberries grown in California, but in the winter, you’ll be more likely to find them grown in Florida. However, berry production isn’t entirely domestic since some berries are farmed and marketed in Mexico.
Berries ripen between December and March in Florida and are ready to be harvested. The growing season might extend until April at times. However, since each year’s harvest is affected by meteorological conditions, the duration of the picking season changes from year to year.
Plant City and the surrounding region provide most of the state’s berries. Located approximately 25 miles east of Tampa and 60 miles southwest of Orlando, Plant City is an ideal vacation destination. However, several smaller strawberry farms are there around the state.
When Are Strawberries in Season in Oregon?
Strawberry season in Oregon lasts from May through August, and it is time you can get fresh strawberries. Oregon has a lengthy, moderate spring and early summer with plenty of rain and cold nights, followed by plenty of bright, sunny days, perfect for growing strawberry plants.
Early May to early June and August to September are the best times to buy strawberries in Oregon. The berries remain on the bushes and slowly ripen as they develop, enabling the sugars to build up before being taken at the perfect moment. Hand-harvesting these ripe, luscious berries ensure they reach you in peak condition.
Final Words
So, that brings us to the end of our post. You are now aware of the times of the year optimal for purchasing fresh strawberries and also the times of the year to anticipate picking berries from local farms in your state.
Besides eating them directly from a bowl, you can try and make any recipe to taste that tangy flavor whenever you want!
