5 min read
How to Pick Strawberries
Sweet, juicy strawberries are a family favorite. Here's how to pick the best ones.
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Fruit PickingGuides
Master the art of picking perfect fruit. Our guides cover everything from spotting ripeness to proper storage.
4 min read
How to Pick Blueberries
Tiny but mighty, blueberries are packed with flavor when picked at their peak.
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4 min read
How to Pick Raspberries
Delicate and delicious, raspberries need a gentle touch when picking.
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4 min read
How to Pick Blackberries
Wild or cultivated, blackberries reward careful picking with intense flavor.
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4 min read
How to Pick Cherries
Nothing beats the taste of freshly picked cherries. Learn to spot the perfect ones.
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4 min read
How to Pick Peaches
Juicy, fragrant peaches are summer's greatest gift. Here's how to find the best.
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4 min read
How to Pick Nectarines
Smooth-skinned cousins of peaches, nectarines need the same careful selection.
Read guide
4 min read
How to Pick Plums
From sweet to tart, plums come in many varieties. Here's how to pick the best.
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4 min read
How to Pick Apricots
Golden apricots are fragrant and delicate. Timing is everything.
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5 min read
How to Pick Apples
From Granny Smith to Pink Lady, learn to pick perfect apples every time.
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4 min read
How to Pick Pears
Pears ripen from the inside out, making picking a skill worth learning.
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5 min read
How to Pick Oranges
Australian oranges are renowned worldwide. Learn to pick the juiciest ones.
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4 min read
How to Pick Mandarins
Easy to peel and bursting with sweetness, mandarins are a winter treat.
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5 min read
How to Pick Mangoes
The king of fruits! Australian mangoes like Kensington Pride and Calypso are world-class.
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4 min read
How to Pick Passionfruit
Wrinkly is wonderful with passionfruit. The uglier, the sweeter!
Read guide
4 min read
How to Pick Lychees
Sweet, fragrant lychees are a summer delicacy worth the effort.
Read guide
4 min read
How to Pick Grapes
From Thompson Seedless to Red Globe, Australian table grapes are fantastic.
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4 min read
How to Pick Persimmons
Sweet when ripe, astringent when not. Here's how to pick perfectly.
Read guide
5 min read
How to Pick Watermelon
The sound of summer! Learn the tricks to picking the sweetest watermelon.
Read guide
4 min read
How to Pick Avocados
From Hass to Shepard, Australia grows world-class avocados year-round.
Read guide
4 min read
How to Pick Pomegranates
Ruby red arils are worth the effort. Here's how to pick the best.
Read guide
4 min read
How to Pick Mulberries
Sweet, staining, and worth every purple finger. A backyard favorite.
Read guideGuide
How to Pick Strawberries
Sweet, juicy strawberries are a family favorite. Here's how to pick the best ones.
Look for berries that are fully red with no white or green areas
The berry should be firm but not hard
Check under leaves where some of the best berries hide
Pick by pinching the stem, not pulling the berry
Leave the green cap attached to keep berries fresh longer
Best Time
Early morning when berries are cool and firm
Storage
Store unwashed in the fridge for 3-5 days. Wash just before eating.
Guide
How to Pick Blueberries
Tiny but mighty, blueberries are packed with flavor when picked at their peak.
Ripe blueberries are deep blue with a dusty white coating (bloom)
They should fall off easily when touched
Avoid red or green berries as they won't ripen after picking
Cup your hand under the cluster and tickle them off
Check for firmness as soft berries are overripe
Best Time
Mid-morning after dew has dried
Storage
Refrigerate unwashed for up to 2 weeks.
Guide
How to Pick Raspberries
Delicate and delicious, raspberries need a gentle touch when picking.
Ripe raspberries are deeply colored and come off easily
If you have to tug, it's not ready
The berry should slip off leaving the white core on the plant
Pick into shallow containers to avoid crushing
Check both sides of the canes for hidden berries
Best Time
Morning when berries are cool and dry
Storage
Very perishable. Eat within 2-3 days. Don't wash until eating.
Guide
How to Pick Blackberries
Wild or cultivated, blackberries reward careful picking with intense flavor.
Ripe blackberries are fully black and dull (not shiny)
Shiny berries are still sour. Wait for the matte appearance
They should detach easily with a gentle pull
Watch for thorns on wild varieties
Pick into shallow containers as they crush easily
Best Time
Morning after dew has dried
Storage
Store in fridge for 2-3 days. Very delicate, handle gently.
Guide
How to Pick Cherries
Nothing beats the taste of freshly picked cherries. Learn to spot the perfect ones.
Choose cherries that are deep in color. Darker usually means sweeter
The stem should be green and firmly attached
Avoid cherries with soft spots or wrinkled skin
Pick with stems attached to keep them fresher
Cup your hand under the cherry and twist gently
Best Time
Morning or evening when it's cooler
Storage
Keep in the fridge for up to a week. Don't wash until ready to eat.
Guide
How to Pick Peaches
Juicy, fragrant peaches are summer's greatest gift. Here's how to find the best.
Look for a creamy or yellow background color, not green
The fruit should give slightly when gently pressed
Smell the stem end as ripe peaches are fragrant
Twist gently rather than pulling
Handle carefully as peaches bruise easily
Best Time
Morning when fruit is cool
Storage
Ripen at room temperature, then refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Guide
How to Pick Nectarines
Smooth-skinned cousins of peaches, nectarines need the same careful selection.
Look for deep orange-red color with no green patches
Should give slightly to gentle pressure at the shoulder
Fragrance indicates ripeness. Unripe fruit has no smell
Avoid fruit with soft spots or wrinkles
Twist and lift rather than pulling straight off
Best Time
Morning when fruit is firm and cool
Storage
Ripen at room temperature. Once ripe, refrigerate for 3-5 days.
Guide
How to Pick Plums
From sweet to tart, plums come in many varieties. Here's how to pick the best.
Look for plums with a slight give at the tip
The skin should have a dusty bloom (natural coating)
Color varies by variety. Know what variety you're picking
Twist gently at the stem to detach
Avoid fruit with cracks, bruises, or soft spots
Best Time
Early morning for firmest fruit
Storage
Ripen at room temperature. Refrigerate ripe plums for up to 5 days.
Guide
How to Pick Apricots
Golden apricots are fragrant and delicate. Timing is everything.
Color should be golden orange with no green areas
Fruit should be slightly soft but not mushy
Fragrance is a key indicator of ripeness
They bruise very easily so handle with care
Apricots don't ripen well after picking
Best Time
Early morning when fruit is firm
Storage
Eat within 1-2 days. Refrigerate ripe fruit briefly.
Guide
How to Pick Apples
From Granny Smith to Pink Lady, learn to pick perfect apples every time.
Look for firm apples with bright, even coloring
The apple should come off easily when lifted and twisted
Check for bruises and soft spots
Don't pull straight down. Twist and lift instead
The stem should stay attached to the apple, not the tree
Best Time
Any time of day during harvest season
Storage
Store in a cool place or fridge for weeks. Keep away from other produce.
Guide
How to Pick Pears
Pears ripen from the inside out, making picking a skill worth learning.
Most pears are picked firm and ripen off the tree
Look for pears that separate easily when tilted
Color change varies by variety. Check what to expect
The stem end should give slightly when ripe
Avoid pears with soft spots or blemishes
Best Time
Any time of day when weather is mild
Storage
Ripen at room temperature. Check daily as they ripen quickly.
Guide
How to Pick Oranges
Australian oranges are renowned worldwide. Learn to pick the juiciest ones.
Color isn't always the best indicator. Some ripe oranges stay green
Heavy fruit means more juice inside
The skin should be firm and slightly textured
Twist and pull or use clippers for clean removal
Avoid fruit with soft spots or mold at the stem
Best Time
Any time during the winter citrus season
Storage
Room temperature for a week, fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Guide
How to Pick Mandarins
Easy to peel and bursting with sweetness, mandarins are a winter treat.
Skin should be loose but not too puffy or dried out
Heavy for their size indicates juiciness
Color should be bright orange, even overall
Twist gently at the stem or use clippers
The fruit should feel plump, not hollow
Best Time
Morning for the freshest pick
Storage
Room temperature for a week, refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
Guide
How to Pick Lemons
From Meyer to Eureka, learn to pick lemons at their peak.
Bright yellow color indicates ripeness for most varieties
Skin should be firm and slightly oily
Heavy for size means more juice
Use clippers to avoid damaging the branch
Avoid lemons with brown spots or soft areas
Best Time
Any time during the season
Storage
Room temperature for 1 week, refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
Guide
How to Pick Mangoes
The king of fruits! Australian mangoes like Kensington Pride and Calypso are world-class.
Squeeze gently. Ripe mangoes give slightly
Smell near the stem. A sweet aroma indicates ripeness
Color depends on variety. Not all mangoes turn red
Twist and pull gently from the stem
Look for plump fruit without wrinkled skin
Best Time
Morning when fruit is firm
Storage
Ripen at room temperature. Refrigerate ripe fruit for up to 5 days.
Guide
How to Pick Passionfruit
Wrinkly is wonderful with passionfruit. The uglier, the sweeter!
Ripe passionfruit falls from the vine naturally
Wrinkled skin indicates sweetness, not spoilage
Heavy fruit has more pulp inside
Smooth skin means it needs more time to ripen
The shell should feel thick and sturdy
Best Time
Check under the vines for fallen fruit
Storage
Counter for a few days to wrinkle, fridge for 1-2 weeks.
Guide
How to Pick Lychees
Sweet, fragrant lychees are a summer delicacy worth the effort.
Bright red or pink skin indicates ripeness
Brown patches are fine but avoid completely brown fruit
The shell should be firm but not rock hard
Clip bunches rather than pulling individual fruit
Size doesn't affect sweetness
Best Time
Morning when fruit is cool
Storage
Refrigerate immediately. Use within 1 week for best flavor.
Guide
How to Pick Grapes
From Thompson Seedless to Red Globe, Australian table grapes are fantastic.
Look for plump grapes firmly attached to green stems
Taste one first. Grapes don't ripen after picking
A dusty bloom on the skin is natural and good
Use scissors to cut bunches rather than pulling
Avoid bunches with shriveled or brown grapes
Best Time
Morning when grapes are cool
Storage
Refrigerate unwashed for up to 2 weeks.
Guide
How to Pick Figs
Soft, sweet figs are a fleeting treat. Timing is crucial.
Ripe figs droop on the stem and are very soft
A drop of nectar at the base indicates peak ripeness
Color depends on variety. Know what to expect
Handle extremely gently as they bruise instantly
Pick by supporting the fruit and snapping the stem
Best Time
Early morning before heat softens them further
Storage
Eat immediately or refrigerate for 2-3 days maximum.
Guide
How to Pick Persimmons
Sweet when ripe, astringent when not. Here's how to pick perfectly.
Fuyu (flat) persimmons can be eaten when firm like an apple
Hachiya (pointed) persimmons must be completely soft
Color should be deep orange to red
Use clippers to cut the stem cleanly
Leave a small stem attached to the fruit
Best Time
Any time during autumn harvest
Storage
Ripen at room temperature. Refrigerate when soft.
Guide
How to Pick Watermelon
The sound of summer! Learn the tricks to picking the sweetest watermelon.
Look for a creamy yellow field spot (where it rested on the ground)
Tap it. A ripe melon sounds hollow, not dull
It should feel heavy for its size
The surface should be dull, not shiny
The stem should be dried out and brown
Best Time
Any time of day during summer
Storage
Whole melons last 2 weeks unrefrigerated. Cut melon keeps 5 days in fridge.
Guide
How to Pick Avocados
From Hass to Shepard, Australia grows world-class avocados year-round.
Hass avocados darken as they ripen. Shepards stay green
Gentle pressure at the stem end indicates ripeness
The stem button should come off easily when ripe
Under the stem should be green, not brown
Pick firm fruit to ripen at home
Best Time
Any time during their extended season
Storage
Ripen at room temperature. Refrigerate when ripe for 2-3 days.
Guide
How to Pick Pomegranates
Ruby red arils are worth the effort. Here's how to pick the best.
Heavy fruit has more juice-filled arils
Shape should be angular, not round (means full arils)
Skin can be scratched or rough. That's normal
Color should be deep red to burgundy
Use clippers to cut the thick stem
Best Time
Autumn when fruit is fully colored
Storage
Room temperature for weeks, fridge for up to 2 months.
Guide
How to Pick Mulberries
Sweet, staining, and worth every purple finger. A backyard favorite.
Ripe berries are deep purple-black and fall easily
Shake the branch gently over a sheet or container
Red berries are still sour
They stain everything, so dress accordingly
Best eaten straight from the tree
Best Time
Morning before birds eat them all
Storage
Extremely perishable. Eat same day or freeze immediately.
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