2024 Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and central Alabama Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

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Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and central Alabama 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 any state, nor even every state, have strawberries orchards 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.

Blount County

  • Jerry Marsh Farm - Muscadines, strawberries, vegetables
    Marsh Cutoff Road, Box 234, Cleveland, AL 35049. Phone: 205-681-8514. Open: Monday to Saturday , call for hours, typically 8 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. . We have strawberries and a wide variety of you pick vegetables. They think the strawberries will be ready to pick about mid-April (but he told me to call back then to be sure). 2021 prices are U pick $12 Gallon Bucket, Already picked $14 Gallon Bucket. (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS)
  • Trina Smith - Strawberries
    136 Co Rd 1518, Cullman, AL 35058. Phone: (256) 385-6772. Email: edwardsmith1731@att.net. Open: Late April-May Monday-Saturday, Closed Sunday 7:30Am-5:00Pm, Sat 7:30Am-3Pm. Click here for a map and directions. . 4 miles east of Holly Pond across Blount Co. line on left 1/4 mile west of 231-278 4-way stop sign at Rainbow Crossing on right. Follow signs.

Clay County

  • Holmestead Farm - blackberries, blueberries, grapes, peaches, plums, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), strawberries, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
    6582 Clay County Road 7, Waldo, AL 35160. Phone: 256-404-4316. Email: holmesteadfarm@yahoo.com. Open: During picking season: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 8 am to 3 pm; Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm; Tuesday: Closed; Thursday: Closed; and the season usually runs from early June to early Fall, Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: 1.7 miles north of the intersection of AL highway 148 and Clay County Road 7. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, WIC Vouchers, SFMNP Vouchers.
    Holmestead Farm Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 256-404-2033. . So much you can pick: strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, peaches, grapes (red, white, blue), muscadines, scuppernongs, Figs, purple hull peas, apples, okra. At you can go into our fields and vineyards and pick your own organic berries and fruit or buy it "ready-to-go" at our produce shed. In season. We invite you to visit us at our beautiful 95 acre "U-Pick-Em" berry, fruit and vegetable farm located at the foothills of the Talladega National Forest in scenic east central Alabama. Centrally located between Talladega, Sylacauga and Ashland, Alabama, we're only a short ride away and the scenery alone is worth the drive. Don't forget to pick up some of our Fresh Baked Bread.By June, we will have Peaches, Green Plums, Beans, Cucumbers, Squash & Sweet Potatoes. Keep checking our Facebook page for daily updates.Share the news with your family and friends.(UPDATED: May 22, 2019, JBS)

Etowah County

  • The Norris Farm - U-Pick Strawberries, Pumpkin Patch
    1261 Alfords Bend Road, Hokes Bluff, AL 35903. Phone: 256-492-1108. Email: info@thenorrisfarm.com. Directions: From Gadsden take 278 E to Hokes Bluff; From Appalachian Hwy, follow signs to farm on Alfords Bend Road. click here for directions. We offer both U-Pick and We-Pick strawberries and pumpkins and as always just bring yourself as containers are provided. Look forward to seeing you next Spring and make sure that you bring the children and grandchildren as it will be a memorable experience. See these pages for details about: . Click here for a map and directions. . April-October; Call before you come, to see what's being picked. The Corn Maze; Pumpkin Patch; Peach Orchard; Tomatoes; and Strawberry Patch. (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS)
    Comments from a visitor on May 03, 2012: "Norris Farm is operating this year. They are closed this week, but we have already been there to pick strawberries twice, and they are planning to re-open next week.
    Comments from a visitor on October 13, 2008: "Very nice and clean, Fun Corn Maze"

Jefferson County

Perry County

  • Moore-Webb-Holmes Plantation - Uses natural growing practices, beans, blackberries, blueberries, corn (sweet), melons, pears, peas, pecans , pumpkins, summer squash, strawberries, Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
    Rt. 1 Box 260, Marion, AL 36756. Phone: 334-683-9955. Open: Any day of the week by appointment. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Highway 14 West in Folsom, Seven miles outside of Marion, AL Latitude and Longitude coordinates are N 32 40.866 and W 087 24.280. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. We are a historic site with over 20 buildings dating back to the 1820's. The farm has been in the same family since it was settled in 1819. All of the buildings are apart of the tour and every thing you see was used by our family. Some of the buildings include the old general store, cotton gin, smoke house, gristmill, blacksmith etc. Take a walk through the past in the present and into the future. (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS)

Shelby County

Talladega County

  • C Watts Farm - strawberries, gift shop, porta-potties are available, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, mining for gems, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties
    351 Oak Grove Road, Munford, AL 36268. Phone: 256-493-0916. Email: curtpat351@att.net. Open: see their Facebook page for hours and availability. Directions: Hwy 21 between Oxford and Talladega. For a map to our farm, . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, checks, only. . . April end October. Strawberry picking season begins March. Strawberries are the only PYO crop. We sell farm fresh jams and jellies. We have a 60 acre working farm. We grow tomatoes, corn, cucumbers and squash. Call for growing seasons.(UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS) (UPDATED: June 03, 2016) (UPDATED: May 17, 2016)
  • Holmestead Farm - Strawberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Plumcots, Grapes (red, white, black), Saturn (Do-Nut) peaches, Asian Pear, Regular Pears, Apples, Japanese Persimmons, Figs, Muscadines, Scuppernongs, Satsumas, Meyer Lemons, Chestnuts, Pomegranates
    6582 County Road 7, Talladega, AL 35160. Phone: 256-404-4316. Email: holmesteadfarm@yahoo.com. Open: see their website. Click here for a map and directions. . From TalladegaOn Hwy 77 South, turn right at the 52 mile marker onto Hwy 77. In 11.2 miles, turn right onto County Road 7. In 6.5 miles, turn right onto Clay County 7. Our driveway will be on the right in 3.5 miles. U-PICK / WE-PICK FARM COUNTRY STORE & MARKET. Typical harvest seasons are: Strawberries - Late March thru June - 40,000 plants:Blackberries - Late May thru early June - 1400 plants:Blueberries - May thru July - 800 bushes: Raspberries - Late May thru early June - 600 plants:Peaches - April thru Sep - 400 trees:Nectarines - May thru August - 30 trees:Plums - April thru August - 250 trees:Plumcots - June - 20 trees:Grapes (red, white, black) - Late June thru early July - 30 plants:Saturn (Do-Nut) peaches - June - 35 trees:Asian Pear - August thru November - 75 trees:Regular Pears - July thru November - 25 trees:Apples - July thru November - 150 trees:Japanese Persimmons - Late Sep thru Nov - 75 trees:Figs - August thru October - 75 trees:Muscadines & Scuppernongs - August thru October - 150 plants:Satsumas - Late September thru November - 25 trees:Meyer Lemons - Late September thru December - 15 trees: Chestnuts - Fall - 6 trees:Pomegranate - coming in 2021. And we have a shelling machine so we can do that for you, too (additional fee)!

Winston County

  • Brannon Farms - blueberries, strawberries, elderberries, peaches, vegetables
    20302 County Road 41, Addison, AL 35540. Phone: 256-462-3761. Email: BRANFARMS@YAHOO.COM. Open: April-September on Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 7 pm, closed on Sunday. Click here for a map and directions. . TURN AT RED LIGHT AT ADDISON ON 41, FO 4 MILES, STAND ON LEFT. PUMPKINS, TOMATOES, OKRA, SQUASH, CUCUMBERS, BEANS, CORN, PEPPERS, CANTALOUPES, MELONS, BLUEBERRIES, MUSCADINES, ELDERBERRIES, STRAWBERRIES, ONIONS, PEAS, PEACHES. (ADDED: June 28, 2020, JBS)

 

Strawberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

strawberry pick-your-own field

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. strawberry picking bucket from Washington FarmsMost 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.


    strawberries, just picked from the fieldIf 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.Sttawberry bush with ripe strawberries, up close

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.how to pick strawberries

  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

close-up of the rows in a strawberry patch at at PYO strawberry fieldWhether 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

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 onstrawberries shown in different stages of ripeness 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.crowded parking at a Strawberry u-pick field
  • 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:

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

McSunley Stainless Steel 21QT Canner, Any Stovetop

Pressure Canners for all stovetops

Looking for canning equipment and supplies?

Water bath canner with a jar rack

Electric pressure canner

Pressure canners for gas, electric and induction stoves: Presto 23Qt or T-fal 22Qt

Canning scoop (this one is PERFECT)

Ball Blue book (most recent version)

8oz canning jars for jams

Regular canning lids

Wide mouth canning lids

 


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