CONTENTS
AVERAGE PICKING DATES 
EQUIVALENTS
PICKING TIPS
BERRY CARE AND HANDLING
FREEZING BERRIES
 

AVERAGE PICKING DATES (Dates vary, so call ahead!)   

  Check the Picking Guide for the latest dates!

Central and Southern Wisconsin

• Strawberries (June bearing) usually June 1 - July 10
• Raspberries July 10 - Aug 10
• Blueberries Mid-July
• Fall Raspberries September 1 - Frost

Northern Wisconsin

• Strawberries (June bearing) usually June 15 - July 15
• Raspberries July 20 - Aug 20
• Blueberries Late-July into September
• Fall Raspberries September 1 - Frost

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EQUIVALENTS

STRAWBERRIES

1 quart (1L) weighs 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 pounds. Yield: 4-5 servings. 1-1/2 quarts are needed for one nine-inch pie. 1 cup (250 ml) sliced fresh berries= 10 oz package of frozen berries.

RASPBERRIES

1 pint (2 cups or 500 ml) weighs approximately 3/4 pounds (375 g.) 1 pint yields four servings 2 pints (4 cups) needed for one nine-inch pie 1-1/4 cups = 10 oz. package of frozen berries.

BLUEBERRIES

1 quart weighs 1-1/2 pounds (525-675 g.) 1 quart (1L) will yield 5-6 servings.

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PICKING TIPS

• Best Time: Pick early in the morning when berries still cool and the sun hasn't had time to soften them, or early evening when the sun is setting. 
• How to Pick: Look under the leaves for berries. Use both hands--one hand to hold the branch, the other to pick the berries.  Pick all fully ripe berries with no green or white tips.  Handle the berries gently.  Keep the stems and hulls on fruit. Don't pile the berries too high or bottom berries will be crushed..

BUYING PREPICKED

• What to look for:  berries that are as fragrant and fully ripe as possible; have a uniform color throughout; are shiny; have flesh that is firm and plump.  Attached leaves and stems or hulls should be fresh and green.  Stains on the container indicate overripe fruit, which is losing its juice.  Buy berries by weight.  Berries should not be squeezed--too much handling causes bruising.

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BERRY CARE AND HANDLING

• Protect the berries from the sun and heat.
• Remove from container and sort, removing any overripe or moldy berries.
• Refrigerate (32° - 40°F) berries in loosely covered containers.  
• Don't wash the berries until they are ready to be used.
• Strawberries and Raspberries generally keep for 2 or 3 days; blueberries keep longer.

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FREEZING BERRIES

Freezing is recommended for long-term storage.  All berries can be prepared with or without sugar or syrup; be whole, chopped, sliced, mashed or pureed. For freezing they should be packed in an airtight container, leaving 1-inch of head space. 

Without sugar: Frozen berries should be used within 3 months.

With sugar: Berries can be safely frozen for up to one year.  The flavor, appearance, quality and nutritional value are enhanced when sugar or other sweeteners is added.

Labeling:  Always label container with exact contents, date, and amount of sugar or other sweetener added.  Always work small amounts of fruit and freeze immediately in coldest part of freezer.

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NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF BERRIES (1/2 cup serving)

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