2024 Baton Rouge area of Louisiana Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Baton Rouge area of Louisiana in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for strawberries that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have strawberries farms that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

Iberia Parish

• Daniel and Anna's Orchard - blackberries, blueberries, figs, lemons, oranges, satsumas, other citrus, pears, peaches, pecans , persimmons, strawberries, school tours
  5116 Freetown Road, New Iberia, LA 70560. Phone: 337-365-1690. Email: sbeclaf@aol.com. Open: Note in 2021, you need to make an appointment before coming, Monday to Sunday 8am to 5pm except Thursday 1pm to 5pm. Directions: From Lafayette, Louisiana go south on Highway 90 to Highway 88. Exit on Highway 88, turn left to Frontage Road, turn right on Frontage Road to Freetown Road about 1 mile. Turn left on Freetown Road, go 1 mile to sharp curve to right, third house on left. Look for signs. Google or Yahoo will give correct directions, Mapquest will be wrong. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Alternate Phone: 337-380-3795Fax: 337-332-6719 This is a Pick-your-own orchard with fruits grown throughout the year. Pick and purchase blueberries, peaches, cumquats, satsumas, persimmons, strawberries and others. Satsumas November 1 to January 15; Persimmons September 1 to November 10; Blueberries April 15 to June 10; Blackberries April 20 to June 10; Figs June 15 to July 20; Asian Pears July 20 to August 20; Peaches April 20 to June 20; Pecans October 1 to November 20; Strawberries April 15 to June 1bags and boxes are provided.

Livingston Parish

• Blahut Strawberry Farm - strawberries, and prepicked produce
  24980 Fayard Road, Springfield, LA 70462. Phone: 225-294-5073. Email: blahutfarm@bellsouth.net. Open: UPDATE for 2021, Their website is gone; Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me, their last reported hours were April through May, Monday to Friday from 9 am until 12 pm. Directions: Blahut Farm is located off I-12; exit 32 \(Albany-Springfield\) three miles south of interstate. Directions are posted on . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Fax: 225-294-5074 Blahut Farm is located off I-12; exit 32 (Albany-Springfield) three miles south of interstate. Directions are posted on websiteCrops are usually available in April, May. Strawberries are placed in gallon, souvenir bucket while picking and will be taken home. Tickfaw State Park is only 5 minutes from Blahut Farm and is perfect for picnicking. Strawberry Field Trips: please call or email to schedule
  Comments from a visitor on March 21, 2010: "Just wanted to post that we have taken my grandchildren (and friends) to this farm several times and were always VERY hospitably received. Both children and adults enjoyed a wonderful experience each time we went. Not mentioned is the fact they sometimes have a baby lamb on premises and the children love to pet and feed him. Thanks for your site!! "
  Comments from a visitor on April 26, 2009: "we found a pick-your-own farm thanks to your website. the idea was to build memories with our children (under 10) and enjoy some fresh fruit on a picnic in the same day. in fact, the state park just down the road was perfect and we invited our neihbors along for the ride. everything was perfect..except for being yelled at and lectured while on the picking excursion. really. the greeters (hired for the day) were great. friendly, informative and helpful. they did leave out one key detail-- that the owner didn't want folks to step over the rows of berries. our neighbor did so twice in an effort to photograph her kids. she didn't step on any bushes, not bother any other families. however, the owner's daughter (old enough to know better) ran over to rip her a new one. not nice. not neccessary. in the time spent yelling and threatening to make us leave, she could have simply explained the rule or just asked us to stay in a single row. no big deal. i guess the pressure of the day may have contributed to the "emotion" of the scolding. perhaps she had just given the same speech for the umpteeenthtime that day. it just seemed very odd and unexpected -- certainly not the genteel easy-going "country" hospitality we had imagined finding there. oh well, guess that explains the need to hire greeters. perhaps it owuld be wise to have the farmers leave for the dasy that tourists come in to pick. may be easier on everyone. we loved the learning our kids got and the fresh food-- could have done without the "big city" gripe out session."Response from the farm on April 27, 2009: "in response to "
  Comments from a visitor on April 26, 2009" i would like to reply. yes, we do have rules. maybe they were not told or did not totally understand the rules. that is the reason that when i first spotted the gentleman neighbor jump the row (yes, no jumping over rows is rule #1...for safety reasons and to protect the plants and irrigation under the plastic), he was told not to jump the row. several minutes later the lady neighbor jumped the row and was told not to jump the row. then, she does it again. that is when they were told that if it occured again they would need to leave the field. by the way, the kids did great! on a lighter note, both the family day on april 17th and april 25th were a huge success. we had a great turn out and, overall, the people were wonderful. If anyone has comments, positive or negative, please write!
• Landry-Poche Strawberry Farm - strawberries, U-pick and already picked, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, school tours
  29955 Richardson Drive, Holden, LA 70744. Phone: 985-320-6417. Email: landrypochefarm@gmail.com. Open: We will ONLY BE OPEN FOR U-PICK on one or 2 days in April, so call early to learn the dates; The price is 10. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Landry-Poche Strawberry Farm Facebook page. . 00 per gallon bucket ( you keep the bucket) or 2.00 per pound; See our website Field trips and pre-picked strawberries. Fund raisers for your non-profit organization.
• Mrs. Heather's Pumpkin and Strawberry Patch - strawberries, picnic area, face painting, petting zoo, birthday parties, school tours
  31458 La 43 Hwy, Albany, LA 70711. Phone: 225-567-3493. Email: farmforkids@yahoo.com. Open: Strawberries are usually available from March 15 to May 15, Call for current days and hours; School Tour Times: From 9am to 1pm; Call about field trips and school tours. Directions: 3 miles North of Albany on the corner of highway 43 and highway 1064. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Mrs. Heather's Pumpkin and Strawberry Patch Facebook page. Crops are usually available in March, April, MayPick Your Own Strawberries From the Strawberry Patch - Children actually walk through the Strawberry Patch and pick their own strawberries to take home with them. Alternate phones: (225) 567-9113 or cell phones: (985) 974-0260. Alternate phone: (985)-320-0698. We also have Tractor Races. Children actually walk through the Strawberry Patch and pick their own strawberries to take home with them. We also have Face and Hand Painting, Zipline, Tractor Races, Picnic Area, Bouncing Race Horse, Jumping Pillow, Birthday Parties. Learn How A Strawberry Grows. Pick Your Own Strawberries From the Strawberry Patch - Children actually walk through the Strawberry Patch and pick their own strawberries to take home with them. Face and Hand Painting, Zipline, Tractor Races, Picnic Area, Bouncing Race Horse, Jumping Pillow, Birthday Parties. Mrs Heather's Pumpkin & Strawberry Patch Facebook page. (UPDATED: May 13, 2022, JBS)

 

Strawberry

Strawberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

In the U.S. strawberries typically peak during April in Florida and Texas, May in the deep South, and in early June in middle sections and later June in the far North and Canada. Keep in mind that crops are ready at various times of the month depending on which part of the state you are located. In order to produce good local strawberries, producers depend on ideal spring weather conditions. 

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - strawberries are affected by weather (both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
2. Leave early.  On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
    
3. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for strawberries, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
   
   
   If you use your own containers, remember that heaping strawberries more than 5 inches deep will bruise the lower berries. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
4. Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

Tips on How to Pick Strawberries

1. Grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.

2. With the stem broken about one-half inch from the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.

3. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. 

4. Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.

5. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down.

General Picking Tips

Whether you pick strawberries from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Be careful that your feet and knees do not damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of the row.
   
2. Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.
   
3. To help the farmers, also remove from the plants berries showing rot, sunburn, insect injury or other defects and place them between the rows behind you. If they are left in the plants, the rot will quickly spread to other berries.
   
4. Berries to be used immediately may be picked any time, but if you plan to hold the fruit for a few days, try to pick in the early morning or on cool, cloudy days. Berries picked during the heat of the day become soft, are easily bruised and will not keep well.
   
5. Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunshine any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking. Strawberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three, depending upon the initial quality of the berry. After a few days in storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor and tends to shrivel.
   
6. For interesting and fun strawberry facts and trivia from the California Strawberry Commission, click here!

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
3. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the caps (green tops) off the others and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make jam right away) See this page about how to freeze strawberries.
4. If you like the strawberries you picked, ask the farm what variety they planted, and not the weather conditions the week or two before. The flavor of a strawberry is affected by the variety, the weather and the degree of ripeness when picked.
5. Now, get ready to make strawberry jam. It is VERY easy - especially with our free strawberry jam instructions - they're illustrated and easy.

Strawberry Recipes, Canning and Freezing Strawberries

• How to freeze strawberries!
• Strawberry jam (with pectin) (uses less sugar or honey and less cooking)
• Strawberry jam (without pectin) (requires much more sugar and cooking)
• Strawberry (and other berry) jams without sugar
• Strawberry jelly
• Strawberry-rhubarb jam!
• Homemade strawberry ice cream (regular, low fat, nonfat, low sugar, vanilla and even gelato)
• Canning strawberries
• Make gourmet chocolate-covered strawberries
• How to make fruit juice -  strawberry and other berries
• Strawberry pie filling
• Strawberry pie
• Easy Rhubarb-Strawberry pie
• Fig-strawberry jam
• Fig-strawberry jam, made with Jello gelatin

Strawberry Facts, Measurements and Tips

• Picking the best strawberries: Select firm, fully red berries. Strawberries DO NOT continue ripen after they are picked! In the photo, only the berry on the far right is completely ripe.
• Strawberry festivals: Most areas that grow strawberries have a strawberry festival, at which you can taste all kinds of fresh strawberry foods, pies, jams, cakes - and most commonly, fresh strawberry shortcake.  To find out where and when there is one near you, see this page for a list of strawberry festivals, sorted by state!
• Strawberries measurements: government agriculture websites tell us that
  1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups and is about the same as 1 liter and
  1 quart of fresh strawberries weighs 1 lbs to 1.25 lbs (or 450 to 600 g). Of course, the weight varies on variety and weather conditions. 
  1 quart is normally enough for 4 servings, although I'll admit my son can eat 1 pint by himself!
• How much to pick? In general, 1 quart of fresh, whole, just-picked strawberries = approximately 3.5 cups hulled, whole berries. In other words, removing the caps/hulls and the occasional mushy berry means you lose 1/4 cup to 1/2 (it depends how much fruit you remove with the hull) or about 7 to 12% of every quart you pick.
• One cup of strawberries contains only about 50 calories
• U-pick strawberries are much healthier than store-bought.  Consumer reports says store bought strawberries have so many pesticide and fungicide residues on they, that they don't recommend you eat them at all!
• U-pick strawberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. 1 lbs of fresh strawberries is about 2/3 of a quart.
• It takes about  10 to 15 minutes to pick a quart, if the berries are reasonably plentiful
• The strawberry plant adapts to wide variety of soil conditions, but does not tolerate drought well, and the berries quickly rot if the weather is rainy. For this reason, the plants are usually grown on raised beds through plastic mulch!
• Cultivation of strawberries began in Europe in the 1300's, but the berry only became very popular in the early 1900's in California.
• Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as strawberries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a couple of days in the refrigerator.
• You can easily freeze berries that you cannot use right away - just wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible.  Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of this! The berries will keep for many months frozen without air.
• Want to grow your own strawberries?  Here's an article about how to: Strawberries are an Excellent Fruit for the Home Garden, HYG-1424-98!
• See this page for many more fun and interesting strawberry facts, nutritional information and trivia

Other weird strawberry facts

• Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.
• Strawberries were originally called strewberries because the fruit was 'strewn' amongst the leaves of the plant.
• California is king of strawberry productions because: California produces 75 percent of the nation's strawberry crops; one billion pounds of strawberries each year.  If all the strawberries produced in California in one year were laid berry to berry, they would go around the world 15 times. Each acre of land in California in strawberry production produces an average of 21 tons of strawberries annually, with a total of 23,000 acres of strawberries planted in California each year.

More conversions

1 pint (2 cups)  of fresh whole strawberries

• = about 8 oz (1/2 lb) of strawberries
• = 2.25 cups of sliced strawberries
• = 1 cup pureed strawberries
• = 12-14 large strawberries

2 quarts of fresh strawberries are needed for a 9" pie

A 10 oz package of frozen berries is about the same as 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries

References:

• University of Illinois Extension
• Driscolls
• Ohio State University Extension
• Strawberries-Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers