At maturity, individual berries are full-size and slightly less firm to the touch. As a final test, taste a few grapes for sweetness when berry size and color indicate they are approaching maturity. Leave the grape clusters on the vine if the fruit are not sweet. When harvesting grapes, remove clusters with a knife or hand shears. Grapes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two months.
Raspberries are ripe when the fruit are fully colored.
Ripe berries easily come off the receptacle that remains on the plant. Raspberries are very perishable. They should be harvested every 2 or 3 days, handled carefully, and immediately refrigerated or frozen. Raspberries can be stored in the refrigerator for only 3 to 5 days. Strawberries are fully ripe when uniformly red.