When to Harvest Woodland Strawberry

Overview

Also known as the wild strawberry, and the wood strawberry, the woodland strawberry is found all over the United States and spreads north into Canada, as well as south into Mexico. While they are no competition for large, commercially grown strawberries from the grocery store, woodland strawberries carry an intensely sweeter taste than their larger cousins. The joy of harvesting woodland strawberries is as much for the flavor as it is for the fun and adventure of the experience.

Step 1

Wait until after the spring thaw for your area before you expect to see the plants begin to bloom. Typically the woodland strawberry will begin flowering in May, but can start sooner depending on your region---and all areas will see blooming continue into the summer.

Step 2

Take a walk through the area where you know the strawberries grow every year. You should notice a healthy supply of small white strawberry flowers as well as a few forming strawberries of a lime-green color.

Step 3

Continue daily or frequent walks through the area and watch for the green berries to begin to turn white. The turning white of the berries is your signal to keep a close eye on the patch.

Step 4

Pick the berries once they have turned fully red and the fruits are ½ to ¾ of an inch wide. Gather several for cooking or eat them immediately, but be aware, regardless, that they don't last long in refrigeration and should not be frozen.