2024 East Central Ontario Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in East Central Ontario 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 province or region 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.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

New! We just went live with our latest website, FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings, Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

Frontenac (Kingston, Inverary)

• Fruition Berry Farm - beans, peas, pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, and prepicked produce, picnic area, wagon rides
  3208 Hughes Road, Kingston, ON K7L4V3. Phone: 613-548-3378. Email: christine@fruition.ca. Open: June, July, September, October. Directions: From 401 exit Hwy 15 \(Kingston exit #623\) Travel North on hwy 15 approximately 5km. Turn left onto Hughes Road. Travel 2km, berry farm is on the left. We are . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Interac and Cash. . From 401 exit Hwy 15 (Kingston exit #623) Travel North on hwy 15 approximately 5km. Turn left onto Hughes Road. Travel 2km, berry farm is on the left. We are open see the website for our hours. Corn maze and pumpkin patch September 1st until October 31st. Frontenac County.
• Fruition Berry Farm - beans, peas, pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, and prepicked produce, picnic area, wagon rides
  3208 Hughes Road, Kingston, ON K7L4V3. Phone: 613-548-3378. Email: christine@fruition.ca. Open: June, July, September, October. Directions: From 401 exit Hwy 15 \(Kingston exit #623\) Travel North on hwy 15 approximately 5km. Turn left onto Hughes Road. Travel 2km, berry farm is on the left. We are . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Interac and Cash. . From 401 exit Hwy 15 (Kingston exit #623) Travel North on hwy 15 approximately 5km. Turn left onto Hughes Road. Travel 2km, berry farm is on the left. We are open see the website for our hours. Corn maze and pumpkin patch September 1st until October 31st. Frontenac County.
• Meadowview Farm Leonard Homestead - strawberries, porta-potties are available, picnic area
  4057 Boyce Road, Verona, ON K0H 1V0. Phone: 613-484-5037. Email: steven.leonard1966@gmail.com. Open: 7 days a week, from 7 am to 7 pm. Directions: 20 km north of 401 on road 38 boyce road Hartington. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. We grow corn strawberries, raspberries potatoes pumpkins few others . Also sell hay small squares, 4x4 round There's next to nothing available about them online, just their facebook page with very little information; not even updated since March 2018; it's best to email them. (UPDATED: November 8, 2020 JBS) (UPDATED: March 20, 2016)
• Meadowview Farm Leonard Homestead - strawberries, porta-potties are available, picnic area
  4057 Boyce Road, Verona, ON K0H 1V0. Phone: 613-484-5037. Email: steven.leonard1966@gmail.com. Open: 7 days a week, from 7 am to 7 pm. Directions: 20 km north of 401 on road 38 boyce road Hartington. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. We grow corn strawberries, raspberries potatoes pumpkins few others . Also sell hay small squares, 4x4 round There's next to nothing available about them online, just their facebook page with very little information; not even updated since March 2018; it's best to email them. (UPDATED: November 8, 2020 JBS) (UPDATED: March 20, 2016)

Hastings (Bancroft, Belleville, Madoc, Trenton)

• Brambleberry Farm U-Pick - blueberries, currants, gooseberries, raspberries, strawberries
  9 Mitchell Rd, Quinte West, Wooler, ON K0K 3M0. Phone: 613-398-8350. Open: June - Sept for u-pick season; see our website or call for crop availability, dates and hours. Directions: From 401, take Wooler Rd. \(exit 522\) north to the Town of Wooler. Drive 5 km north east on Cty Rd 5. Farm is on south side. Strawberries; 2 acres of Sapphire, St. Pierre, Wendy, Sable, Mira, Kent, Annapolis. Raspberries; 5 acres of red varieties. Currants; 13 acre red and black currants. Blueberries; 8.5 acres of highbush ..Bluecrop and Blueray. Gooseberries. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Brambleberry Farm U-Pick Facebook page. From 401, take Wooler Rd. (exit 522) north to the Town of Wooler. Drive 5 km north east on Cty Rd 5. Farm is on south side. Strawberries; 2 acres of Sapphire, St. Pierre, Wendy, Sable, Mira, Kent, Annapolis. Raspberries; 5 acres of red varieties. Currants; 1/3 acre red and black currants. Blueberries; 8.5 acres of highbush ..Bluecrop and Blueray. Gooseberries
• Brambleberry Farm U-Pick - blueberries, currants, gooseberries, raspberries, strawberries
  9 Mitchell Rd, Quinte West, Wooler, ON K0K 3M0. Phone: 613-398-8350. Open: June - Sept for u-pick season; see our website or call for crop availability, dates and hours. Directions: From 401, take Wooler Rd. \(exit 522\) north to the Town of Wooler. Drive 5 km north east on Cty Rd 5. Farm is on south side. Strawberries; 2 acres of Sapphire, St. Pierre, Wendy, Sable, Mira, Kent, Annapolis. Raspberries; 5 acres of red varieties. Currants; 13 acre red and black currants. Blueberries; 8.5 acres of highbush ..Bluecrop and Blueray. Gooseberries. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Brambleberry Farm U-Pick Facebook page. From 401, take Wooler Rd. (exit 522) north to the Town of Wooler. Drive 5 km north east on Cty Rd 5. Farm is on south side. Strawberries; 2 acres of Sapphire, St. Pierre, Wendy, Sable, Mira, Kent, Annapolis. Raspberries; 5 acres of red varieties. Currants; 1/3 acre red and black currants. Blueberries; 8.5 acres of highbush ..Bluecrop and Blueray. Gooseberries
• Campbell's Orchards and Country Market - apples, beans, peas, pumpkins, raspberries (red), strawberries, tomatoes,
  Rr#1 Carrying Place 1633 Rednersville Road\/County Road 3, Carrying Place, ON K0K 1L0. Phone: 613-962-3751. Email: info@campbellsorchards.com. Open: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: West: We are located 2 hrs from Toronto. Turn off the 401 at the Wooler Road Exit. Follow the Wooler Road to #33 south. Turn left at County Road 3, \(Rednersville Road \) We are #1633 on the south side. East: We are located 1 hr from Kingston.Turn off the 401 at #62 south \(North Front Street \). Drive south to Dundas \(#2 Hwy\) and turn right. At Bay Bridge Avenue, turn Left, and go over the bridge to County road 3, turn right, it is 8 km to our store. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . Fax:Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesWest: We are located 2 hrs from Toronto. Turn off the 401 at the Wooler Road Exit. Follow the Wooler Road to #33 south. Turn left at County Road 3, (Rednersville Road ) We are #1633 on the south side. East: We are located 1 hr from Kingston.Turn off the 401 at #62 south (North Front Street ). Drive south to Dundas (#2 Hwy) and turn right. At Bay Bridge Avenue, turn Left, and go over the bridge to County road 3, turn right, it is 8 km to our store Pick your own schedule: June - Strawberries & Peas, July - Beans, Tart Cherries, Black Currants, August - Cucumbers Tomatoes, Beans and Flowers (for drying), September - Apples (Macintosh, Empire, Royal Gala), Tomatoes & Cucumbers (till frost), October - Delicious, Spys & Russets (depending on year). Campbell's Orchards, is your local Apple Orchard & Farm Market. Our Pick-Your-Own offerings include apples, pumpkins, berries, tomatoes and various field vegetables. Campbell's Farm Market sells fresh grown produce, grown on site, as well the finest in local meats, dairy, preserves and spreads. And while you are filling your shopping baskets, enjoy some family fun in our country play zone and corn maze.
• Campbell's Orchards and Country Market - apples, beans, peas, pumpkins, raspberries (red), strawberries, tomatoes,
  Rr#1 Carrying Place 1633 Rednersville Road\/County Road 3, Carrying Place, ON K0K 1L0. Phone: 613-962-3751. Email: info@campbellsorchards.com. Open: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: West: We are located 2 hrs from Toronto. Turn off the 401 at the Wooler Road Exit. Follow the Wooler Road to #33 south. Turn left at County Road 3, \(Rednersville Road \) We are #1633 on the south side. East: We are located 1 hr from Kingston.Turn off the 401 at #62 south \(North Front Street \). Drive south to Dundas \(#2 Hwy\) and turn right. At Bay Bridge Avenue, turn Left, and go over the bridge to County road 3, turn right, it is 8 km to our store. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . Fax:Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesWest: We are located 2 hrs from Toronto. Turn off the 401 at the Wooler Road Exit. Follow the Wooler Road to #33 south. Turn left at County Road 3, (Rednersville Road ) We are #1633 on the south side. East: We are located 1 hr from Kingston.Turn off the 401 at #62 south (North Front Street ). Drive south to Dundas (#2 Hwy) and turn right. At Bay Bridge Avenue, turn Left, and go over the bridge to County road 3, turn right, it is 8 km to our store Pick your own schedule: June - Strawberries & Peas, July - Beans, Tart Cherries, Black Currants, August - Cucumbers Tomatoes, Beans and Flowers (for drying), September - Apples (Macintosh, Empire, Royal Gala), Tomatoes & Cucumbers (till frost), October - Delicious, Spys & Russets (depending on year). Campbell's Orchards, is your local Apple Orchard & Farm Market. Our Pick-Your-Own offerings include apples, pumpkins, berries, tomatoes and various field vegetables. Campbell's Farm Market sells fresh grown produce, grown on site, as well the finest in local meats, dairy, preserves and spreads. And while you are filling your shopping baskets, enjoy some family fun in our country play zone and corn maze.
• Kellys' Berry Farm - Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries
  201 Robinson Road, Maynooth, ON K0L 2S0. Phone: 613-338-2535. Open: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm; Closed Sunday; Farmed wild blueberries late July - mid-August. Click here for a map and directions. From Bancroft follow hwy #62 north for 17 km to Graphite Road Turn east, go 8 km to Robinson Road Turn north, go 1 km to first farm on left. Near Peterborough. Picking your own blueberriesSave money and enjoy the satisfaction of harvesting these wonderful berries yourself. Plan to come picking several times each season and allow at least several hours per visit so that you can harvest enough berries to enjoy year round. Picking blueberries is a great way to enjoy a day in the country especially if you bring a friend. Baskets fill within a few feet of row. Visit our farm to escape the noise and rush of traffic. Enjoy the peaceful beauty and catch glimpses of some of our wild creatures. Dress for the weather and bring your lunch to enjoy in our shaded sitting area. Pre-picked berries are available for sale from the farm beginning in late July and throughout the month of August as weather conditions and labour availability permit. (UPDATED: June 05, 2014, from their Facebook page)
• Kellys' Berry Farm - Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries
  201 Robinson Road, Maynooth, ON K0L 2S0. Phone: 613-338-2535. Open: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm; Closed Sunday; Farmed wild blueberries late July - mid-August. Click here for a map and directions. From Bancroft follow hwy #62 north for 17 km to Graphite Road Turn east, go 8 km to Robinson Road Turn north, go 1 km to first farm on left. Near Peterborough. Picking your own blueberriesSave money and enjoy the satisfaction of harvesting these wonderful berries yourself. Plan to come picking several times each season and allow at least several hours per visit so that you can harvest enough berries to enjoy year round. Picking blueberries is a great way to enjoy a day in the country especially if you bring a friend. Baskets fill within a few feet of row. Visit our farm to escape the noise and rush of traffic. Enjoy the peaceful beauty and catch glimpses of some of our wild creatures. Dress for the weather and bring your lunch to enjoy in our shaded sitting area. Pre-picked berries are available for sale from the farm beginning in late July and throughout the month of August as weather conditions and labour availability permit. (UPDATED: June 05, 2014, from their Facebook page)
• McCaw Farms / West Moira Orchards - corn, pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, beef,
  970 Harrington Road, Frankford, ON K0K 2C0. Phone: 613-962-8228. Email: mannypcortes@gmail.com. Open: daily June to October from 9:30 am to 6 pm. Directions: Located on Harrington Road in Frankford, approximately 15 minutes West of Belleville. Click here for a map and directions. Directions from our Store to our Farm. Our Farm is . From West Moira Street, take Wallbridge-Loyalist Road North to Vermilyea Road. Turn left on Vermilyea Road. Turn left onto Harrington Road and follow it to McCaw Farms.
• McCaw Farms / West Moira Orchards - corn, pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, beef,
  970 Harrington Road, Frankford, ON K0K 2C0. Phone: 613-962-8228. Email: mannypcortes@gmail.com. Open: daily June to October from 9:30 am to 6 pm. Directions: Located on Harrington Road in Frankford, approximately 15 minutes West of Belleville. Click here for a map and directions. Directions from our Store to our Farm. Our Farm is . From West Moira Street, take Wallbridge-Loyalist Road North to Vermilyea Road. Turn left on Vermilyea Road. Turn left onto Harrington Road and follow it to McCaw Farms.
• Murray Township Farms Ltd. - strawberries, pumpkins
  Wooler Road, Trenton, ON . Phone: 613-392-8068. Open: daily 8 am to 8 pm. Click here for a map and directions. Wooler Road, South of Hwy 401 at exit 522. (UPDATED: June 05, 2014, by JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on June 30, 2010: "You can P.Y.O organic strawberries in June and Pumpkins in the fall. Also have a farm stand where you can purchase pre-picked ontario produce and home made canned goods"
• Murray Township Farms Ltd. - strawberries, pumpkins
  Wooler Road, Trenton, ON . Phone: 613-392-8068. Open: daily 8 am to 8 pm. Click here for a map and directions. Wooler Road, South of Hwy 401 at exit 522. (UPDATED: June 05, 2014, by JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on June 30, 2010: "You can P.Y.O organic strawberries in June and Pumpkins in the fall. Also have a farm stand where you can purchase pre-picked ontario produce and home made canned goods"

Lennox and Addington (Greater Napanee, Odessa)

• Paulridge Berry Farm - asparagus, peas, raspberries, strawberries, and prepicked produce, wagon rides
  2114 Palace Road, Napanee, ON K7R3K9. Phone: 613-354-9127. Email: philpaul@sympatico.ca. Open: May, June, July, August. Directions: From 401 exit #531 Camden East Road \(Napanee\) Go North for approximately 5km to Bicknell\'s Corner. Turn left onto Palace Road. Travel approx. 4km - berry farm is on the right. We are . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . From 401 exit #531 Camden East Road (Napanee) Go North for approximately 5km to Bicknell's Corner. Turn left onto Palace Road. Travel approx. 4km - berry farm is on the right. We are open Our hours are: Monday to Friday 8am until 8pm. Saturday 8 am to 4 pm. Asparagus in May. Strawberries beginning in June through July. Raspberries July - August
• Paulridge Berry Farm - asparagus, peas, raspberries, strawberries, and prepicked produce, wagon rides
  2114 Palace Road, Napanee, ON K7R3K9. Phone: 613-354-9127. Email: philpaul@sympatico.ca. Open: May, June, July, August. Directions: From 401 exit #531 Camden East Road \(Napanee\) Go North for approximately 5km to Bicknell\'s Corner. Turn left onto Palace Road. Travel approx. 4km - berry farm is on the right. We are . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . From 401 exit #531 Camden East Road (Napanee) Go North for approximately 5km to Bicknell's Corner. Turn left onto Palace Road. Travel approx. 4km - berry farm is on the right. We are open Our hours are: Monday to Friday 8am until 8pm. Saturday 8 am to 4 pm. Asparagus in May. Strawberries beginning in June through July. Raspberries July - August
• Piercy's Farm Market - beans, peas, peppers, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, prepicked produce
  9715a County Rd 2, Napanee, ON k7r3l1. Phone: 613-396-3596. Open: summer hours Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 8 pm, Sunday, 10:30 am to 5 pm. Directions: We are on county rd2\(old highway2\) just east of deseronto from the 401 take exit 570, go south to deseronto, turn left watch for the signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. We are on county rd2(old highway2) just east of deseronto from the 401 take exit 570, go south to deseronto, turn left watch for the signs cash/interac U-Pick Paste Tomatoes All produce Pre-picked Plus Pickling Cucumbers, Sweet Corn, Squash, onions, Ontario fresh fruit, Apples, peaches, grapes Halloween candle light pumpkin display
• Piercy's Farm Market - beans, peas, peppers, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, prepicked produce
  9715a County Rd 2, Napanee, ON k7r3l1. Phone: 613-396-3596. Open: summer hours Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 8 pm, Sunday, 10:30 am to 5 pm. Directions: We are on county rd2\(old highway2\) just east of deseronto from the 401 take exit 570, go south to deseronto, turn left watch for the signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. We are on county rd2(old highway2) just east of deseronto from the 401 take exit 570, go south to deseronto, turn left watch for the signs cash/interac U-Pick Paste Tomatoes All produce Pre-picked Plus Pickling Cucumbers, Sweet Corn, Squash, onions, Ontario fresh fruit, Apples, peaches, grapes Halloween candle light pumpkin display

Prince Edward (Picton)

• Campbell Orchards - strawberries, apples, corn maze, wagon rides, corn maze, farm market
  1633 County Road 3, Carrying Place, ON K0K 1L0. Phone: 613-962-3751. Email: info@campbellsorchards.com. Open: see their website; year round, but hours vary by season. Click here for a map and directions.
  Campbell Orchards Facebook page. Facebook page. We have 25 different varieties of Pears and Apples to try! Visit us year round! Campbell's Orchards has 25 different Apple and Pear varieties to choose from. Such as: Paula Red, Zestar!, Ginger Gold, MacIntosh, Liberty, Empire, Cortland, Royal Gala, Snow Sweet, Ambrosia, Spy, Honey Crisp and lots more!! Come in to discover Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream (in the summer time), Maple Dale Cheese, Fresh Curds, Local Honey, Maple Syrup, Our Jams and Preserves, Fresh Baking, frozen fruits and vegetables and sparkling cider. We specialize in very unique and personalized gift baskets that are made to order or many are ready to go. In the Fall we have a corn maze and wagon rides. Payment, cash, cheque, debit cards and credit cards. Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash and not in the store. (ADDED: April 5, 2021 JBS)
• Campbell Orchards - strawberries, apples, corn maze, wagon rides, corn maze, farm market
  1633 County Road 3, Carrying Place, ON K0K 1L0. Phone: 613-962-3751. Email: info@campbellsorchards.com. Open: see their website; year round, but hours vary by season. Click here for a map and directions.
  Campbell Orchards Facebook page. Facebook page. We have 25 different varieties of Pears and Apples to try! Visit us year round! Campbell's Orchards has 25 different Apple and Pear varieties to choose from. Such as: Paula Red, Zestar!, Ginger Gold, MacIntosh, Liberty, Empire, Cortland, Royal Gala, Snow Sweet, Ambrosia, Spy, Honey Crisp and lots more!! Come in to discover Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream (in the summer time), Maple Dale Cheese, Fresh Curds, Local Honey, Maple Syrup, Our Jams and Preserves, Fresh Baking, frozen fruits and vegetables and sparkling cider. We specialize in very unique and personalized gift baskets that are made to order or many are ready to go. In the Fall we have a corn maze and wagon rides. Payment, cash, cheque, debit cards and credit cards. Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash and not in the store. (ADDED: April 5, 2021 JBS)
• Lakeshore Farms - pumpkins, strawberries
  475 Main St., Wellington, ON K0K 3L0. Phone: 613-399-1733. Open: April - December daily from 8 am to 6 pm, call for crop availability. Click here for a map and directions. From Hwy. 401, go south on Wooler Rd. to Hwy. 33. Turn right (west) and proceed to the town of Wellington. Follow signs to the farm. U-pick strawberries, and already harvested Sweet Corn, Potatoes, tomatoes and pumpkins available. (UPDATED: April 5, 2021 JBS)
• Lakeshore Farms - pumpkins, strawberries
  475 Main St., Wellington, ON K0K 3L0. Phone: 613-399-1733. Open: April - December daily from 8 am to 6 pm, call for crop availability. Click here for a map and directions. From Hwy. 401, go south on Wooler Rd. to Hwy. 33. Turn right (west) and proceed to the town of Wellington. Follow signs to the farm. U-pick strawberries, and already harvested Sweet Corn, Potatoes, tomatoes and pumpkins available. (UPDATED: April 5, 2021 JBS)
• Laundry Farms - beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, cucumber, eggplants, flowers, honey, maple syrup, peas, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries, squash, strawberries, tomatoes
  530 County Rd 1, Picton, ON . Phone: 613-476-1066. Email: jeanoram@aol.com. Open: daily, Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm; Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. (UPDATED: April 5, 2021 JBS)
• Laundry Farms - beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, cucumber, eggplants, flowers, honey, maple syrup, peas, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries, squash, strawberries, tomatoes
  530 County Rd 1, Picton, ON . Phone: 613-476-1066. Email: jeanoram@aol.com. Open: daily, Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm; Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. (UPDATED: April 5, 2021 JBS)
• Orchard Coast Farms / Hughes Orchards - Apples, blueberries, eggplant (aubergine), peppers, pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes
  2983 County Road 8, Picton, ON K0K 2T0. Phone: 613-476-6458. Email: info@orchardcoast.ca. Open: 10 am to 6 p. Click here for a map and directions. Fax: 613 476 0284 m. daily, mid-June to late OctoberFrom Picton, take County Road 8 east to Waupoos. Special events. Tours
• Orchard Coast Farms / Hughes Orchards - Apples, blueberries, eggplant (aubergine), peppers, pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes
  2983 County Road 8, Picton, ON K0K 2T0. Phone: 613-476-6458. Email: info@orchardcoast.ca. Open: 10 am to 6 p. Click here for a map and directions. Fax: 613 476 0284 m. daily, mid-June to late OctoberFrom Picton, take County Road 8 east to Waupoos. Special events. Tours

 

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