A guide to Wild Strawberry picking.

Q. How do I find them?

Either by remembering where you saw strawberry blossoms in the spring and returning to that area between Mid-June and early July. Or find an ant hill. Ants are smart within five feet of their nest is their food source- often it is wild strawberries.

Q. What do I need to pick berries?

Bring a small dish, and a larger one with a lid. Wild strawberries are tiny. I find it best to fill the small container, then dump them into the larger one. Why? First because mentally it’s more satisfying to fill a little dish, and second to prevent spillage. Dumping a dish with fifty berries is disappointing, Dumping a dish of 500 berries is demoralizing.

Pull the berry from the hull, or you’ll have to removing the leafy green calyx later, meaning picking the berry twice.

Q.What should I wear ?

Bring a brimmed hat, closed toe footwear, long sleeves if you have allergies. Wear sun screen and bug spray. I recommend wearing dark colours. Unless you want to experience extreme discomfort in your back, hips and knees, from bending over, you’ll be squatted down, kneeling and occasionally, taking a seat on the ground. So you’re bound to squish a few berries into your clothing. It’s all good keep picking.

Q. I have heard bears eat berries, should I be worried about them?

Where I pick there is usually some car traffic, I’ve never encountered a bear. I’m more concerned with bee stings, ticks and other insect bites. Spray on your choice of insect repellent. Keep picking.

Q. Should I wait for a sunny day to pick?

No, the berries are going to ripen when they are genetically going to ripen. If you see them, go picking immediately, they wouldn’t last. If you wait too long, they’ll be over-ripened, bug eaten and you’ll have to comb through gobs of beetle larva, which makes them unappetizing. June is a wet month on the east coast, abandoned picking, if there is a threat of thunderstorms.

Q. Will my children enjoy this activity?

Absolutely, I have so many fond memories of berry picking as a child. Just remind the kids not to disturb any ant hills they come across and not to eat too many, without a good rinse off. As mentioned before, the leaves of the plant can induce allergic reaction, wet wipes and antihistamines are handy in case anyone gets itchy. Bugs, slugs ticks eat strawberries too and lay their eggs on them. Plus good berries are found on the road sides, covered in dirt. Wash them throughly before tasting.

Q Is berry picking for me?

It can be very rewarding if you get a good patch. Slim pickings can be frustrating. Also, there is risk of seeing snakes, getting insect bites stings, sunburn, hives and soaked in a rain storm. If any of these are unappealing to you, stay home buy a quart of cultivated berries at your grocery store.

Q. What do I do with my berries?

Wash thoroughly. A dish of berries with almond milk, and sugar is a delicious treat. Strawberry short-cake, preserves and jam if you get enough. They freeze great for future use. Place parchment paper on top of a cookie sheet, spread the washed berries evenly over the surface. Set them in the freezer. Once frozen, I transfer them into a re-sealable bag. Label with the contents and the date frozen. It is especially satisfying in January to have a bowl of them. The fragrance will take you back to June. Enjoy.