Strawberries

[carolinej]

I had my first real crop of strawberries today, at least half a pound ;D ;D ;D

There are still some that are ripe on the top but white underneath. Would I be best to leave them to ripen on the plant, or can  I pick them like that and ripen them at home?

Thanks

cj :)

[carolinej]

[manicscousers]

if they're very white, leave them on, if they've started turning, we take them, if we can't get there for a day, I take off the ones that are 'nearly 'there and they finish off at home,.. congrats, nothing like it, is there  ;D
we had enough over for a strawberry mousse, delicious  :)

[carolinej]

Thanks, I 'll go and get the nearly ripe ones tomorrow.

I had some tonight, cut up, sprinkled with sugar with some red wine poured over them and left for a bit. Mmmm.

I was pleased as punch picking them, although, to be honest, growing them wasnt nearly as much work as the reward of picking them. I think I will grow even MORE next year ;D

cj :)

[manicscousers]

we thought that, last year..we now have 72 plants, 50 of them are from runners from our 2nd year plants  ;D

[cornykev]

I've had a few from the garden and they are so sweet they didn't need sugar.  :P :P :P :P :P ;D ;D ;D

[dawn34]

int had any of ours kids had them, they did say yum yum

[Rose.mary]

So far mine have never reached home. I usually eat them as I go round the plot.

Rosemary

[Jeannine]

Aaagh, mine aren'y ready so I am going to sulk all night so there.


I is bad cos I is jealous

[jennym]

Pick mine every night, the ones that are turning red as well as the fully ripe ones. It saves them from the slugs and they ripen well away from the plant. What I have found though, is that it's best not to wash them in the evening if you're going to leave them to ripen overnight indoors as the moisture can help moulds grow. Just leave them as they are, and wash them in the morning, just before you have them for breakfast  ;D

[saddad]

We picked a few during the open day but picked about 3lb's today....
;D

[carolinej]

3lb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I am jealous too >:( >:( >:( >:(

cj :)

[Jeannine]

Well that does it, I am going to start a fight on the playground today I am so jealous XX Jeannine

[manicscousers]

sorry, jeannine, 6lbs and counting  :)

[theothermarg]

found it best to pick just before they are ripe cuz our slugs just loooove ripe ones
don,t count how many but getting strawberried out already :-*
marg

[debster]

Ive only had one so far no flowers at all yet and im not the only one around here  :(

[Jeannine]

6 pounds, 6 ruddy pounds,I haven't had 1 fruit yet.
I am going to  swear now and if you dare come back and say 10 pounds I shall kick the cat.

Well anyway, I just had three tomatoes.....but 6 pounds

XX Jeannine

[carolinej]

Well anyway, I just had three tomatoes.

Oh dont brag! I have some french beans in the greenhouse, and there are 4 .....yes 4 pods ;D Anyone for seconds ;)

cj :)

[Jeannine]

Are you gonna freeze the surplus?

[cambourne7]

I have come back today with 2 good handfuls of almost ripe strawberrys, i have not washed them but any tips on how i can finish ripening them?

( sorry Jeannine but in my defence these have come off a disused plot which is due to be handing over to a new allotment holder in the next few weeks so i though i would take some of then now as they will have gone over by the time they take the plot over or the slug/mice would get them)

[carolinej]

Are you gonna freeze the surplus?

Luckily, I got a second hand chest freezer off my mother in law. I think I'll go plug it in ;D

any tips on how i can finish ripening them?

I just left mine on the kitchen windowsill last night, and by tea time they were ready for strawberries and ice cream. Sorry Jeannine :-*

cj :)