How do you harvest wild berries? The underlying premise of harvesting wild berries is to remain sensitive to the plant and ecosystem that surrounds the plant. A good rule of thumb is to harvest about 25% of the wild berries that you find along the trail.

Leaving plenty of berries on the vine ensures other hikers, as well as birds and animals, have an abundant resource for sustenance. Ripe wild berries posses the best flavor and provide the greatest nutritional benefits.

You quickly discern the ripeness of a berry by looking for bright colors that indicate peak maturation. Many berries separate from the plant to indicate peak ripeness. Strong berry fragrance also indicates berries that have achieved optimal maturation. Some wild berries require a delicate picking touch to avoid bruising or mashing the berries.