6. Harvesting and Enjoying Your Balcony-Grown Strawberries
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After weeks of preparation and care, the most satisfying aspect of growing strawberries on your balcony is at last picking and enjoying your own produce! This part will walk you through the picking process and offer recommendations for maximising your strawberry crop.
Enjoying your strawberries at their best requires knowing when to pick them. Usually, strawberries are ready to pick when they have a slight give when gently squeezed and have turned completely red—that is, the colour for your variety. Don't hurry to harvest; immature strawberries won't keep ripening once they are picked.
To harvest, gently hold the fruit and twist it off the stem such that the green cap remains whole. Should you find it difficult to twist, cut the stem with fresh scissors. Handle your strawberries lightly always to prevent bruising.
Try picking your strawberries in the morning following the dew's drying but before the heat of the day sets in for the greatest taste. The berries are most sweet and flavorful at this point.
Once picked, save cleaning your strawberries till just before consumption. Moisture could cause mould development, therefore lowering their shelf life. Store unwashed berries, instead, in a single layer on a colander or on a paper towel-lined tray in the refrigerator. They ought to keep for several days this way.
Rine your strawberries gently under cool running water when you're ready to eat them. Remove the green tops just after washing to stop water from seeping into the berries and diluting their taste.
Eating your local strawberries straight is, of course, the easiest approach to enjoy them. You'll feel great knowing you cultivated them yourself; their taste will be considerably better than store-bought berries. For a taste explosion, try them on their own or toss them with yoghurt or morning cereal.
If your crop is abundant, think about including your strawberries in several dishes. Particularly when combined with spinach, almonds, and a balsamic vinegar, they make great complements to salads.
vinegrette. Making a strawberry shortcake or a basic strawberry fool—a dish created with whipped cream and mashed strawberries—is a great classic dessert idea.
Making preserves also makes great use of strawberries. Make a little batch of strawberry jam if you have more fruit than you could consume straight away. This is a wonderful approach to savour your crop all year long. Strawberries can also be frozen for use in baked items or smoothies. Just shell the berries, arrange them on a baking sheet, freeze till firm, then pack into a freezer bag.
Not overlooked are beverages! A cool summer beverage is homemade strawberry lemonade; alternatively, try adding a delicate, fruish taste by infusing water with strawberries and mint. Strawberries go wonderful with sangria or can be blended in drinks like mojitos or margaritas for adult beverages.
If you're feeling inventive, consider including your strawberries in savoury foods. They're great in sauces for meats like chicken or pork and go nicely with balsamic vinegar. For a sweet variation on a popular condiment, you might also try including them into a summer salsa.
Remember, the delight of tending your own strawberries comes from the whole process from seed to harvest, not only from eating. Spend some time savouring the results of your efforts; don't hesitate to distribute your abundance to loved ones. The joy of presenting a meal created with vegetables you have yourself cultivated is just unparalleled.
Start thinking ahead for the following growing season as you savour your crop. Note what works and what you might wish to modify. Growing strawberries on your balcony is a learning process; every season offers fresh chances to hone your methods and explore different kinds.
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