How to Store Strawberries

Strawberries are a popular garden crop, and in nutrient-rich soil and full-sun conditions, will produce tons of flavorful berries. They prefer fluffy, weed-free soil, making them a great candidate for raised beds.

Strawberries are the sweetest start to the summer garden, however once picked, they do not store for much longer than one week unless frozen. Harvest strawberries when fruits are uniformly red, firm, and still attached to the plant via their little green caps. Once you've brought your berries inside, keep these tips in mind:

• Keep berries whole — diced berries invite bacteria in and cause berries to spoil faster.
• Keep berries unwashed (until you’re ready to eat them) — moisture on the fruit’s surface will encourage rot. Keeping the berries cool and dry until you’re ready to eat them will prolong their shelf life.
• Keep berries in the crisper drawer or in a sealed container in the refrigerator at temperatures between 32- and 38-degrees F.

Frozen strawberries are absolutely delicious in smoothies and ice cream and they can easily be thawed and turned into jams or baked into pies. Prepare your berries for freezing by rinsing, then letting them air dry spread out on a baking sheet or cutting board. Pop them in the freezer and let the berries freeze individually in a single layer — this prevents the "mushy blob" effect that can occur if you freeze them all together in a bag. Once frozen, strawberries can keep for at least 6 months.