Because of our mild oceanic climate, many home growers on the mainland and in Surrey, for example, have the luxury of being able to grow fruit. Picking fruit, however, is as much of an art as it is a science. If you are not careful, you can damage the fruit and/or damage the shrub or tree. In today’s blog article, we would like to give you some tips on picking fruit, as most of your fruits are probably ready now or even well before now.

When to Pick

This varies between fruits, obviously, so you have to look at each type of fruit on a case-by-case basis. Strawberries—like most other berries--should be picked when they are ripe because they do not continue to ripen off the vine like some other fruits. Peaches and apples will continue to ripen off the tree, so, as long as they are mature, then they can be picked.

As a rule, pick these tree fruits before they fall on the ground, because once on the ground, they tend to get blemished or even eaten by critters. One exception to this rule is quince, which are usually considered ripe when they fall off the tree. Quince are typically safe on the ground for a day or two since they are hard like concrete.

What to Put Them in

Again, this depends on the fruit. Soft fruits, easily damaged, should be laid out, such as in a wide, shallow box or tray—like peaches. Sturdier fruits can be piled up. Think apples. Tiny fruits like blackberries should just be filled into small bucket containers like ice-cream pails.

How to Pick

Again, this depends on the fruit. Apples can just be plucked off the tree. Often turning or twisting the fruit, gently, will allow them to separate from the stem. Use your whole hand to hold the fruit and avoid bruising it.

This can be tricky when picking peaches, for example, as the fruit often swells and surrounds the stem. If you are too heavy handed, you will damage the fruit and/or break the stem. Go slowly. If you break a stem, try to go back and snip the stem off with some clean pruners above where you broke it. Do not leave split or broken stems unattended for the rest of the season. This is how a tree catches a disease. But do not snip the stem too high on the branch as peach trees bear fruit on spurs on the previous year’s woody growth. If you cut too high, then you will get less fruit next year.

Berries can usually be plucked off using several fingers to cushion the fruit. Blackberries should separate from the stem easily. If they do not separate easily, then they are not ripe.

Some fruits like cherries benefit from being snipped off the tree with some sharp scissors. Think sour Montmorency cherries. If you pull the cherry off the tree, you may leave the stem and the pit on the tree, ruining the cherry unless you plan to eat it right then. Just snip the tiny stem and allow the cherry to fall into a container with a bit of stem attached.

We recommend getting to know your fruits. Different fruits require different techniques for picking and experience is a good teacher. While our summer is now winding down, there are still plenty of fruits ripe for picking in Surrey and throughout the mainland. If you have too much fruit for your own use, most towns have charitable organizations that will come and pick your fruit for you and get the fruit into the hands of those less fortunate than you.

Art Knapp has 15 locations across British Columbia and is well known as the go-to garden centre for everything garden-related. Art Knapp, himself, began the business in the 1940's, and now, 80 years later, you can find more than he ever dreamed of in our stores. Come and see us on King George Boulevard in Surrey. 

If you have any questions about this article or want to talk to us about gardening, just give us a call at (604) 596-9201.