strawberries
Since strawberries do not ripen further, they should only be harvested when they are bright red, no longer have a white edge, and exude an intense strawberry fragrance. Harvesting is best done in the morning, as this is when the aroma is at its highest. The fruit stalk is snapped off in the middle, leaving the green sepals attached to the fruit. Due to their high water content, strawberries are very sensitive to pressure. So don't stack too many fruits on top of each other, and it's best to use harvesting baskets. To ensure they retain their aroma, they should be eaten or processed quickly. But that shouldn't be a problem. After harvesting, the soil should be loosened and weeds removed. Strawberry plants can still be planted until around mid-August.
currants
Their name derives from St. John's Day (June 24th), which is considered the ripening date for the early varieties. Whether red, white, or black, currants are ready to be harvested when the fruits have taken on a rich color, smell pleasant, and practically fall into your hand. However, if the berries hang on the bush too long, they lose their flavor. So pick the bushes two to three times a week, always harvesting the entire bunch. Again, don't stack too many bunches in your harvest basket, as the berries are very sensitive to pressure.
Raspberries & Blackberries
Try to harvest blackberries and raspberries regularly, ideally at least once or twice a week, to prevent the fruit from rotting. The berries' cones remain on the raspberry branches. Since harvested branches die anyway, they are cut off close to the ground. Blackberries can be harvested as soon as the berries are plump and shiny black, usually between July and October. They are easy to pick by twisting them, with the cone remaining inside the berries.
