It’s Time to Enjoy “Maryland’s Best” Produce; Strawberries Mark the Beginning of Maryland’s Growing Season

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Despite cool temperatures this spring, Maryland farmers are beginning to harvest their earliest crops: asparagus, rhubarb, greens and sweet Maryland strawberries.

“Strawberries and the other early crops are starting to get into full swing,” said Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “Marylanders prefer to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables and now is the time to find locally grown in your grocery stores, farm stands and farmers markets.”

Local strawberries are beginning to be ripe enough to pick on the Eastern Shore and in Southern Maryland. Other areas of the state will begin getting into production soon.

When selecting sweet Maryland strawberries, consumers should be sure to look for a full, red color, bright luster and firm, plump flesh. Strawberries do not ripen after being picked, so consumers should be sure to choose fully ripe berries. The caps should be bright green, fresh looking and fully attached.

Currently 38 percent of Maryland strawberry plants are in bloom now. The five-year average for this week is 68 percent in full bloom.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2012 Agricultural Census, Maryland farms harvested approximately 220 acres of strawberries on 187 farms. Harvest has been delayed this spring, due to cool weather. To find a farm or market with Maryland strawberries near you, visit www.marylandsbest.net.

Strawberry Facts and Tips

• Select plump, firm, fully red berries. The small berries are often most flavorful.

• Strawberries measurements: 1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups and is about the same as 1 liter and weighs 1.25 to 1.5 pounds (or 600 to 700 grams). The weight varies on variety and weather conditions.  One quart is normally enough for four servings

• One cup of strawberries contains around 43 calories.

• Unripe berries will not ripen once picked.

• U-pick strawberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. A quart equals 1-1/2 pounds of fresh berries.

• It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to pick a quart, if the berries are reasonably plentiful.

• You can easily freeze berries that you cannot use right away – just wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a Ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible.  Vacuum food sealers do a good job of this. The berries will keep for many months frozen without air.

# # #

Soundbook of strawberry farmer, Russ Shlagel of Shlagel Farms in Charles County