Pick the berries that are fully red. If they’re not ripe, they won’t ripen after being picked.

To remove the berries:

With a slight twisting motion, grasp the stem just above the berry and pull. Take care to place the fruit in the container carefully. Don’t overfill your bucket. Don’t try to press the berries down. Don’t leave picked berries in the sunshine for an extended amount of time. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking.

When you get home:

Wait until you’re ready to eat them to wash them. Washing makes them more prone to spoiling. When you wash them, wash them quickly in cold water. Don’t let them soak. Drain them well before you hull them. Place the berries in a shallow container and remove any mushed or soft berries. Strawberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three days. After a few days in storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor and tends to shrivel.

How to freeze strawberries:

Remove the caps, lay flat on a cookie sheet and put in the freezer. Once they are frozen put them in a ziplock bag. DON’T rinse before freezing them. Wash when you’re ready to eat! Blueberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for five to six days.

To freeze blueberries:

Put unwashed berries on a cookie sheet in the freezer. Once frozen move them into a Ziploc bag and put back in the freezer.