Here’s a not-so-hot take: strawberries are an incredible fruit. They’re beautiful to look at, delicious to eat and rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. And they’re grown right here in the United States!.
Strawberries grow best in early spring and early summer, but this depends on where they are grown and the weather. Here at Fetch, we see a huge spike in strawberry sales from February to June.
If you’re buying out-of-season strawberries, be prepared to pay a bit extra. Prices go up by about $1 from November to February.
Here, Fetch takes a closer look at where strawberries are grown and how they’re best stored and enjoyed.
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The Best Time to Buy Sweet Juicy Strawberries
Strawberries are one of the most beloved fruits with their sweet juicy taste and versatility for use in everything from breakfast dishes to desserts. As a strawberry lover, I’m always trying to figure out when strawberries are at their peak freshness and sweetness, so I can enjoy this fruit at its finest.
After researching extensively, I’ve discovered the keys to getting delicious, flavorful strawberries are knowing when they are in season locally and how to select the best ones when you go strawberry picking. Here is everything you need to know about the best time to buy strawberries and how to pick the tastiest ones.
When Is Strawberry Season?
Strawberries are considered a spring crop, with the season starting as early as late February in southern states like Florida. The season lasts through July in northern states. Generally, strawberries start appearing at farmers’ markets in mid-spring.
According to the North American Strawberry Growers Association, strawberries are in season from mid-May to early July in northern states in the Midwest and Northeast. In the South, the season goes from late November to early April, with a winter harvest happening in states like Florida.
The peak strawberry season in a state like North Carolina is mid-April through early June. In California, which produces 90% of the country’s strawberries, the season goes from March to August thanks to the ability to stagger planting times and varieties.
So the takeaway is that spring is the prime season for strawberries in most parts of the country. That’s why National Pick Strawberry Day is on May 20th! If you want sweet, juicy strawberries, spring and early summer is the time to get them.
How to Get the Sweetest Strawberries
If you want the best tasting strawberries, the key is to get ones that are locally grown and picked fresh daily during the season. Here are tips:
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Pick your own at a local strawberry farm or orchard – Fruit picked that day is ripest.
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Buy from a farmers’ market stand selling local berries – Ask when they were picked.
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Look for brighter red berries with green caps still on – Sign of ripeness.
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Avoid white-tipped or hard berries – These are underripe.
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Don’t wash until ready to eat – Retains freshness longer.
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Refrigerate quickly after picking – Helps berries last.
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Enjoy within 2-3 days of picking for maximum sweetness.
Growing Your Own Strawberries
For the ultimate freshness and flavor, you can also grow your own strawberries at home. Strawberries are relatively easy to grow in full sunlight and well-drained soil. There are June-bearing varieties that fruit in spring and Day-Neutral types that fruit into summer and fall.
With homegrown strawberries, you can harvest daily once the berries start ripening for unbeatable taste. Let the berries fully redden on the plant before gently twisting off the stem and consuming right away for sweetness that can’t be beat.
Freezing Strawberries
When strawberries are at their peak availability and lowest price during spring and summer, you can stock up and freeze them to enjoy their sweetness year-round. Select ripe, flavorful berries and gently wash and dry them.
Remove caps, then arrange the berries in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible. Frozen strawberries will keep for 8-12 months and are great for smoothies, baking, and jams.
How to Select the Best Strawberries
When buying fresh strawberries, choose plump, shiny berries with intense red color and attached green caps. Size doesn’t indicate ripeness or flavor – some of the tastiest varieties are petite berries.
Avoid mushy or dull-looking strawberries or any with white or green areas. These are overripe or underripe. The berries should be firm with a slight natural fragrance. Don’t wash until ready to eat to prevent quick spoilage.
Refrigerate unwashed berries as soon as possible in a shallow container covered with plastic wrap. Enjoy within 2-3 days for maximum sweetness and juiciness. Strawberries are highly perishable, so freshness equals flavor.
Perfectly Ripe Strawberries
Now that you know to target the spring and early summer months for peak strawberry season, you can be prepared to take full advantage. Visit local farms, hit up the farmers’ market, or grow your own to indulge in the sweetest, juiciest strawberries you’ve ever tasted.
Nothing compares to the flavor of a perfectly ripe, juicy strawberry at the height of its season. Follow these tips to select and store the tastiest local strawberries. Your spring desserts, jam making, and berry eating will be taken to a whole new level of deliciousness!
How long do strawberries last?
Strawberries can last for a long time, but it depends on how fresh they were when you bought them and how your fridge stores food.
Typically, whole strawberries will last for 3 to 7 days if they’re stored properly. Cut strawberries won’t last quite that long and should be consumed within 1 to 3 days of purchase.
How to store strawberries
Here are a few tips to maximize the freshness and shelf life of the strawberries you purchase:
- Avoid washing until you’re ready to eat. Moist places allow mold to grow, and moldy strawberries are awful.
- Remove damaged strawberries before storing. Berries that are tough or soft are more likely to get mold and go bad.
- Store them around 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Strawberry slices will stay firm and fresh for several days at this temperature.
- Freeze strawberries to extend their shelf life. Clean with water, cut into pieces, and freeze on a baking sheet before putting them in a freezer bag. Frozen strawberries will last for several months.
When is the Best Time to Plant Strawberry Plants in Your Garden?
FAQ
What are the best months to buy strawberries?
When should you buy strawberries if you want to eat the sweetest?
What month are strawberries the sweetest?
Do strawberries last longer in the fridge or on the counter?
When is the best time to buy strawberries?
The best time to buy strawberries is mid to late winter (February-March). This is when the supply is usually the highest, leading to smaller prices and sales. Contrary to popular belief, strawberries are not only a summer fruit.
Can you buy strawberries year round?
You can buy strawberries at the grocery store year round because of international shipping, greenhouses, and different growing seasons. However, strawberries are the best when they’re in season in your area—this is when they’re plumpest, juiciest, and most flavorful.
When should you pick strawberries?
When I’m ready to pick, I take along my own containers and make sure to select only the best berries. Pick strawberries in the cooler parts of the day—early morning or late afternoon—since this helps to keep the strawberries fresh and extends their shelf life after picking.
Do strawberries have fruit in the summer?
Different types of strawberries offer fruit throughout strawberry season. Some fruit only in the spring (“Junebearing” or short-day cultivars) and other varieties can bear fruit in the summer and fall months (day-neutral types). To grow your own strawberries, the plants will need full sun and well-drained soil that has plenty of organic matter.
When is the best time to buy fruit?
As the weather begins to change in fall, the available produce starts to change as well. Apple picking season usually starts in September, so this is a great time to visit your local apple orchard and stock up. If you’re looking for other options for fruit, this is an excellent time to buy cantaloupe or mangoes.
Should you pick strawberries from a local orchard?
Berries from a local orchard are usually picked daily during strawberry season to ensure they always have the freshest products possible. “We always say that fruit tastes better straight from the source,” says Amanda Morgan from Eckert’s Inc., the largest family-owned and operated pick-your-own orchard in the United States.