In the summertime, berry bushes light up the garden with a burst of vibrant color. Whether they’re red, blue, orange, white, black, or yellow—there’s nothing quite like the sight of a bush heavy with fruit during peak season. If you’re ready to start picking, here’s everything you need to know to get the best harvest.
When to Harvest Your Favorite Berries
Generally speaking, summer is the prime time for berry lovers. Here’s a quick breakdown of the typical harvest windows for the most popular varieties:
- Blueberries: July through September
- Raspberries: June to July (Summer-bearing) and August to October (Ever-bearing)
- Blackberries: July through September
- Currants: July through August
- Gooseberries: July through August
Pro tip: If you plant a mix of these different varieties, you can enjoy a steady stream of fresh, homegrown berries from June all the way through October!
How to Tell When Berries Are Perfectly Ripe
The golden rule of berry picking is to only harvest them when they are fully ripe. Berries on the same bush usually ripen at different times, so you’ll want to check your plants every few days. Unlike some other fruits, most berries won’t continue to ripen once you pick them. On the flip side, if you wait too long, they’ll either rot or shrivel up right on the branch.
You’ll know they’re ready when the color is deep and consistent all the way around. A ripe berry should look plump and pull away from the stem with almost no effort. You can also use your nose! Ripe berries have that signature sweet, floral aroma. If they start to smell a bit musty or fermented, they’re likely overripe and past their prime.
Handle with Care: Berries are Delicate!
No matter what kind of berry you’re picking, you’ve got to have a gentle touch. These little guys are incredibly fragile and bruise easily. Any squished spots will lead to mold or make them go bad much faster. You should never have to squeeze or tug hard; if it’s ripe, it’ll practically fall into your hand.
Once you’ve picked them, place them in shallow baskets or containers. Try not to stack them too deep—the weight of the top berries can easily crush the ones on the bottom. Berries are best enjoyed immediately, but if you can’t eat them all at once, you can store them in the fridge for a couple of days at most.
