Raising Strawberries?? OK, so I planted my strawberries and they are starting to turn...
OK, so I planted my strawberries and they are starting to turn a little Red. As soon as they turn completly red do I pick them or will they get bigger when their Red? Help me?
pick when red they will not seize any bigger if you leave them the blackbirds will do the job for you! yes you pick them when they are red. if not they will rot on the vine!
The berries are a grown-up size when they turn fully red. I pick mine just as they do so, as if left on the plant, the local pest population will get through them. By which i mean squirrels. Pick when red & juicey...remove any that touch the ground as they will rot after a time. best tip with fruit...if it taste good its ready.
Answers: As soon as they are red I would pick them, the birds or the slugs will capture them. They are probably small, either because they are alpine strawberries, or they haven't had plenty water. I'm having a problems next to strawberries too. Last year it rained so much, that the few that came, the birds/slugs get there first, despite, the straw, and the net and the slug pellet. I'm in Scotland, and I'm beginning to reason that lb2.50 a punnet is a bargain! Hope you have more luck than me.