Fruit |
When to Pick |
Apple |
Based upon condition and maturity. Early indication is when normal unblemished fruit starts to drop. Check to see if the flesh color at the bottom has turned from green to yellow-green. When all signs of maturity are present, an Apple will be easy to pick with the stem still attached to the fruit. Pick by rolling or twisting the apple away from the fruit spur. |
Apricot |
Needs to be firm-ripe on the tree. Should be soft, golden yellow and easily separated from the stem. |
Blackberry |
When it is soft and sweet, almost dropping off at the slightest touch. Pick early in the day since these don't spoil as quickly. |
Blueberry |
Pick when uniform in color and easily coming loose from the plant. A reddish ring around the indentation where the fruit attaches to the stem indicates it is not ripe. Pick by gently rolling each one from the cluster with the thumb into the palm of the hand. |
Cherries |
Pick when at their maximum size and full-flavored. Become firm when ripe and will part easily from the stem. Pick when they have a shiny skin and fresh stem. |
Currant |
Pick when firm, but not quite ripe. Twist the cluster from the branch first, then strip the berries from the cluster. |
Elderberry |
Pick when half ripe. Pick as clusters and not individual berries. |
Figs |
In the US, they often peak from July to Frost in the South and August or later in the North. |
Gooseberry |
Pick in the green or immature stage, but after they reach full size. Pick when pinkish in color for a sweeter flavor. Pick as individual berries or strip them off the stem later. |
Grape |
Color and flavor indicate ripeness. The natural bloom is noticeable at the fully-ripe stage, and the berries are slightly less firm. Cut each cluster from the vine and handle as little as possible. |
Nectarine |
A creamy-yellow background color indicates ripeness. They will yield slightly to pressure, especially along the seam. Pick with a slight twist to remove from the stem. |
Peach |
Pick when the fruit easily separates from the twigs. Pick when the ground color goes from green to yellow. A yellow-flesh variety ripens to an orange color, and a white-flesh variety ripens to a greenish to yellow-white color. |
Pear |
Pick early and allow to ripen indoors. There will be a change in color from green to yellow, and the stem will separate easily from the branch. To pick, grasp the pear firmly and twist or roll to make the stem separate from the tree. |
Plum |
As a plum matures, the color changes noticeably. With blue or purple varieties, the color goes from green to greenish-blue or reddish-purple to a dark blue or purple. In other varieties, the color goes from a yellowish-green to a more definite yellow or straw yellow and then to a yellow or red. As color increases the flesh becomes soft at the tip end. Can be picked when slightly under-ripe for preserve. |
Raspberry |
When ripe they will easily separate from the plant. Should be picked every two to three days. Use thumb, index and middle fingers to pick the berries. |
Strawberry |
Pick with three-fourths red. Pick early in the morning and with the stem attached. Grabbed the stem with the thumb and forefinger to pinch. |
Once you pick the fruit, unless you are going to turn it into jam/jelly right away, you are going to need to make sure you store it properly. Consider the following table to see how to store the most common fruit used in making jam/jelly.