2024 Toronto area of Ontario Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Toronto area of 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.

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Durham (Clarington, Oshawa, Scugog, Whitby)

• Pingle's Farm Market - Apples, pumpkins, raspberries, saskatoons, strawberries, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, haunted corn maze, child-sized haybale maze, and prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, horse-drawn hay rides, wagon rides, face painting, petting zoo
  1805 Taunton Road East, Hampton, ON L0B 1J0. Phone: 905-725-6089. Email: farmerwally@internet.look.ca. Open: May, June, July, August, September, October, 7 days a week, 10 am to 6 pm weekdays, Saturday, Sunday and holiday Monday from 9 am to 6 pm; Fun Farm on weekends from 10 am to 4 pm; Including all holidays from May 1st to October 31st. Directions: We are located at Courtice and Taunton Roads. just outside of Oshawa. Take the 401 to the Courtice Road exit, take courtice road north, all the way to the end, and turn right, you can\'t miss us. There is also a sign on the hwy. with directions.There is a farm market, gift shop, and bakery. There is a petting zoo, trike track, toys in a big pile of sand, giant checker board, bunnyville, and many activties for the children. Great fun for the whole family. PYO Strawberries usually around the mid - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard. Fax: 905 725 9040or vetzal1@yahoo.com We are located at Courtice and Taunton Roads. just outside of Oshawa. Take the 401 to the Courtice Road exit, take courtice road north, all the way to the end, and turn right, you can't miss us. There is also a sign on the hwy. with directions.There is a farm market, gift shop, and bakery. There is a petting zoo, trike track, toys in a big pile of sand, giant checker board, bunnyville, and many activties for the children. Great fun for the whole family. PYO Strawberries usually around the middle of June. Call ahead to verify crop is dependant on the weather. Fall Raspberries are ready end of august beginning of September and last until the first frost or October 31st when we close. Pumpkins are for PYO or ready pick on weekends in October there is wagon rides to the pumpkin patch! Easter weekend we are OPEN, we have activities for children 12years and under. Friday to Sunday, bakery is Friday to Monday. We have school tours, wagon rides, fall raspberries, apple picking, fun fall weekends with every expanding activities on the farmis proud to offer a variety of pick-your-own Ontario farm fresh produce including: strawberries, apples, fall raspberries, and pumpkins. Pick your own apples is open the second weekend in September. Pick your own pumpkins opens on October 1st. Pingle's provides a free wagon ride to the strawberry patch and pumpkin patch when both, respectively, are in season. All other pick-your-own produce is within walking distance from the Pingles Farm Market store. Please call ahead for wagon availability and information. (UPDATED: August 31, 2020 JBS)
• Spring View Farms - strawberries and raspberries
  Durham Rd, Uxbridge, ON . Phone: 905-852-2795. Directions: Located in the rolling hills of Uxbridge. Click here for a map and directions. . Come to our small quiet berry patch for chemical free strawberries and raspberries. We welcome you and your family to our farm Located 10 km north of Uxbridge at 11680 Durham Road 1 in hamlet of Leaskdale. From Toronto take Markham Rd (Hwy 48) to Davis Dr. Turn right and go east 15 km to traffic light. Turn left on Durham Rd 1 (Main St. N) and go 7.5 km to farm on left just inside hamlet. Phone for times and conditions.
• Watson Farm - apples, beans, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), rhubarb, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, restrooms
  2287 Highway #2, Bowmanville, ON L1C4V4. Phone: 905-261-3750. Email: info@watsonfarms.ca. Open: To reach the crop report, please call 905-623-7252 or visit their website; typically Opening Day early June, Pick-Your-Own Hours are 7 Days a Week from 9 am to 6 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Watson Farm Facebook page. Admission in 2024 is Adults: $5, Children: $3, Kids 2 and under: Free, Seniors: Free on Mondays and Wednesdays, strawberries, raspberries, peas, beans, apples, pears, pumpkins Market is now open No admission. You only pay for the produce you pick. Sorry no pets allowed at the farm. In October, U-Pick Apples and Raspberries are open. Rhubarb in May and strawberries in June. U-Pick Pumpkins will open October 19th. Click on Crop Report for more information. The Pick Your Own is run separately from the farm market. (UPDATED: May 31, 2024 JBS)
• Willowtree Farm - pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), strawberries, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, petting zoo, school tours
  975 Regional Road 21, Port Perry, ON L9L 1B5. Phone: 905-985-4973. Email: willowtreefarm@sympatico.ca. Open: call for pick your own season. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. Fax: 905-985-1955 call for specific harvest datesCome out and make memories with your family in our pick-your-own patch! A wagon will transport you to our berry filled fields for an adventure your family will talk about for years! $5 per person (2019 price), to be credited off your berries picked. Bring your own containers or purchase a container at the farm. Weather dependent - please call ahead to ensure our fields are open.Strawberries and raspberries are typically in the firtst half of July. 2019 strawberry price was $3.25/lb, raspberries were $5/lb, Wagon ride amount is credited off of the total amount of berries picked. Weather dependent. Please call ahead to ensure picking fields are open. (UPDATED: August 31, 2020 JBS)

Halton (Burlington, Darbyville, Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville)

• Andrew's Scenic Acres - apples, asparagus, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, corn (sweet), currants (red and black), flowers, tulips, gooseberries, grapes, other berries, pears, peaches, plums, pumpkins, raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (yellow), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), raspberries (black), raspberries (Autumn, black), rhubarb, saskatoons, summer squash, strawberries, winery
  9365 10th Sideroad, Milton, ON L9T 2X9. Phone: 905-878-5807. Email: Farm@AndrewsScenicAcres.com. Open: Seasonally available, starting in Spring and ending in Autumn; May to October. Directions: Take hwy 401 to Trafalgar north \(exit#328\). Drive north ~ 7km to Sideroad #10 \(Ashgrove\). Drive west to the farm. Or North of 401 on Reg rd#25. Drive east on road #10.- R.r.#5 located in Halton Hills \(for GPS\) . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Cheque, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Andrew's Scenic Acres Facebook page. Fax: 905-878-4997 Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesTake hwy 401 to Trafalgar north (exit#328). Drive north ~ 7km to Sideroad #10 (Ashgrove). Drive west to the farm. Or North of 401 on Reg rd#25. Drive east on road #10.- R.r.#5 located in Halton Hills (for GPS) We also have Elderberries and wide range of flowers available for pick your own. Our family operated farm was established in 1980. We now proudly grow 175 acres of luscious fruit and vegetables. Our home farm is dedicated 100% to pick your own crops starting the first weekend in May with tulips, rhubarb and asparagus. Strawberries start ripening in June, followed by raspberries, cherries, currants, gooseberries, blueberries, elderberries, gourds, Indian corn and pumpkins. A diverse selection of cut your own flowers for bouquets include: sunflowers, celosia, gladioli, dahlias, roses, lilies, peonies and iris. Fun For The Children includes-Hay Rides, Haunted Forest, Animal Coral, Pony Rides, Straw Jump, Corn Walk and Pick Your Own. Acres and Acres of PYO orange and white pumpkins. Andrews' Winery, formerly Scotch Block Winery, produces quality fruit wines from fruit grown on the farm, including award-winning strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, cherry, apple and currant wines. We're up to 75 national awards now for our unique wines and Hard Cider (UPDATED: August 31, 2020 JBS)
• Rae's Farm - apples strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins
  Britannia Road, Hornby, ON . Phone: 905-878-7708. Open: daily June - Nov; Strawberries Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm; Saturday, & Sun. Click here for a map and directions. . From Highway 401, go south on Trafalgar Road to Britannia Road; turn left and go 1 km 8 am to 4 pm; Raspberries 8 am to 1 pm; Apples daily 9 am to 5 pm.
• Stonehaven Farm Market - strawberries,
  7388 Guelph Line, Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0. Phone: 905-878-1870. Email: market@stonehavenfarms.com. Open: hours, days and dates. Directions: From the 401: Take exit #312 Guelph Line South for 6 km. The farm is on the right side between Conservation Road and Derry Road. From the QEW: Take exit #102 Guelph Line North for 17 km. The farm is on the left side between Derry and Conservation Road. From Milton: Take Derry. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Stonehaven Farm Market Facebook page. . Monday - Saturday 9 to 4 Sunday 10 am to 4 Opening and closing dates updated on website and/or by telephone. Click here for current open Picking updates: Click here for picking updates Farm market is brimming with only Ontario local produce & gourmet food items, bakery including fruit pies, soft serve ice cream, kid zone area, gigantic corn maze ( group night adventures available), wagon tours & wagon rides(weekends only - check for times), school programs, group bookings. Strawberry Pick-Your-Own typically starts mid-June until mid-July. You can check our Facebook page or phone us for current updates. Fall pumpkin picking generally starts in late-September and runs through to late-october(UPDATED: August 31, 2020 JBS)
• The Farm - beans, beets, blackberries, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, eggplants, fresh garlic, garlic blooms, herbs, onions, peas, peppers, pumpkins, rhubarb, romaine, Romano beans, squash, strawberries
  12399 No. 15 Side Road, Halton Hills, ON . Phone: 905-873-2050. Open: weekdays 8 am to 5 pm from mid-June to September, Saturday 8 am to 2 pm from mid-June to mid-July, 8 am to 12 pm mid-July to September; Sunday & holidays 8 am to 12 pm from mid-June to September. Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate phone: 905-877-7976
• Uncle Scott’s Farm - strawberries, peas,
  6583 Walkers Line, Burlington, ON . Phone: 905-319-3298. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. 7am-6pm, Strawberries are anticipated to be ready for picking around the Father’s Day weekend. This year, pick-your-own peas will also be offered. Call or see Facebook page for updates

Peel (Brampton, Caledon, Mississauga)

• Big R' Apple Farm - apples, strawberries, pumpkins, vegetables,
  8674 Heritage Road, Brampton, ON . Phone: (647) 929-5408. Email: info@bigrapplefarm.ca. Open: Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm; Closed on Monday to Friday. Click here for a map and directions. From Hwy. 401, north on Mississauga Rd. to Steeles Ave. Turn west to Heritage Rd. and turn north. Follow signs. The is a family operated pick your own fruits and vegetable farm. Apple (ready in September )varieties include Royal Gala, Ginger Gold, Wealthy, McIntosh, Paula Red Apples, Empire, Fortune, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Jona Gold, Mutsu, Northern Spy, Red Delicious, and Pears. Strawberries are usually ready Mid-June. Vegetables are ready Mid-July and typically include Bell Pepper, Buttercup Squash, Butternut Squash, Carnival Squash, Cauliflower, Cucumber, eggplants, Green Bean, Green Chili, Potato, Okra, Rapini, Spaghetti Squash, Spinach, Sweet Peas, Sweet Corn, Zucchini .
• Downey's Farm Market - apples, raspberries (Spring, red), strawberries, Turkeys, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, face painting, petting zoo, farm animals, school tours
  13682 Heart Lake Road, Caledon, ON L7C2J5. Phone: 905-838-2990. Email: info@downeysfarm.com. Open: Strawberry, Raspberry and Apple picking hours vary please see website for details. Directions: From Toronto, take Highway 401 to Highway 410 North. Exit on Mayfield Road, Turn Left \(West\). Turn Right \(North\) on Heart Lake Road. Downey\'s is located 5km North on right side of the road, just North Of Brampton. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. From Toronto, take Highway 401 to Highway 410 North. Exit on Mayfield Road, Turn Left (West). Turn Right (North) on Heart Lake Road. Downey's is located 5km North on right side of the road, just North Of BramptonDowney's Corn Maze Adventure is open August 15th to the end of October - night mazes available to groups over 20, please call for availability; Downey's Pumpkinfest is open weekends from the last weekend in September to the end of OctoberDowney's hosts numerous events throughout the year. Some of the events include: Downey's Easterfest and Egg Hunt, the July 1st Canada Day Strawberry Festival, Clip Clop the Donkey's Birthday Party Celebration, Downey's Corn Maze Adventure, Downey's Pumpkinfest and Lunch with Santa. Downey's also is a venue for corporate events and picnics, school tours and birthday parties!

York (Aurora, Georgina, King, Maple Hill, Markham, Newmarket, Vaughan, Whitchurch-Stouffville)

• 19th Avenue Farmers Market - strawberries,
  2931 19th Avenue, Markham, ON l6C 1L7. Phone: 905-887-8954. Email: farmersmarket@toptomatofoods.ca. Open: Early June to Early July, 7 days a week weather pending. Directions: Coming From South - 404 North, exit Elgin Mills. Go East on Elgin Mills to Woodbine bypass, and go North. Follow Woodbine Bypass until you reach 19th Avenue, make a left \(go west\) first driveway on the south side. Coming From North - 404 South to Stoufville Side Road. Exit Stoufville Side Road, head East. First light is Woodbine Avenue, go South \(right\). Turn right on 19th Avenue, first driveway on the south side. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  19th Avenue Farmers Market Facebook page. Fax: 905-887-1166 Coming From South - 404 North, exit Elgin Mills. Go East on Elgin Mills to Woodbine bypass, and go North. Follow Woodbine Bypass until you reach 19th Avenue, make a left (go west) first driveway on the south side. Coming From North - 404 South to Stoufville Side Road. Exit Stoufville Side Road, head East. First light is Woodbine Avenue, go South (right). Turn right on 19th Avenue, first driveway on the south side (UPDATED: August 31, 2020 JBS)
• Applewood Farm - apples, pumpkins, strawberries, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties, picnic area
  12416 Mccowan Road, Stouffville, ON L4A 4C5. Phone: (905) 640-5357. Email: info@applewoodfarm.ca. Open: Strawberries in May, June, then September and October for apple and pumpkin picking; Hours of Operation: Wednesday 11am to 5pm Thursday 11am to 5pm Friday 11 am to 5 pm Saturday 9 am to 5pm Sunday 9 am to 5pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Applewood Farm Facebook page. . It began as one of the first pick your own strawberry and apple farms in Ontario and remains the most popular spot in the area to pick fresh strawberries, or applesOn McCowan Road, immediately north of the Stouffville Road. Google Earth coordinates: 79 degrees 18'27.44"W 43 degrees 57'43.42"N. Parking is on the north side of the track all the way from McCowan Road to the Bathrooms building, and on the south side in the area of the buildings. (UPDATED: July 4, 2022, JBS) (UPDATED: July 27, 2020)
• Brooks Farms - apples, beans, corn (sweet), currants (red and black), gooseberries, nectarines, other berries, peas, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), raspberries (Autumn, black), saskatoons, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Maple Syrup from trees on the farm, Fresh eggs, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  122 Ashworth Road, Mount Albert, ON L0G 1M0. Phone: 905-473-3246. Email: info@brooksfarms.com. Open: Mid February til end of October Hours Change Seasonally, Please visit our website for up to date hours and additional information. Directions: North on highway 404 to Newmarket. Exit on Vivian Road and go east to highway 48. Go north to Mount Albert Road, then east past Mount Albert 3 km to 122141 Ashworth Rd. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Brooks Farms Facebook page. North on highway 404 to Newmarket. Exit on Vivian Road and go east to highway 48. Go north to Mount Albert Road, then east past Mount Albert 3 km to 122/141 Ashworth Rd The dates listed below are approximately & vary depending on the year. Summer Strawberries: Mid June - Mid July. Peas (Regular, Snow & Sugar Snap): Mid June - Mid July. Summer Raspberries (Purple, Red & Black): Beginning of July - Mid August. Saskatoon Berries (Lasts for approx. 1 week): Beginning of July. Gooseberries: Mid July - Mid August. Red & Black Currants: Mid July - Mid August. Raspberries & Strawberries (ever bearing): Mid August - Frost. Apples (Ida Red, Macintosh, Golden Delicious, Royal Gala & Honey Crisp): Mid Sept- End of September. Squash (Acorn, Spaghetti, Hubbard & Butternut ) : Mid Sept- End of Oct. Pumpkins: Month of October.
• Forsythe Family Farms - Strawberries
  10537 Kennedy Road, Unionville, ON L6C 1N8. Phone: 905-887-1087. Email: forsythefamilyfarms@gmail.com. Directions: 1 km north of Major Mackenzie Dr. - East of #404. Second location 1025 Cragg Road Greenbank \(Phone: 905-985-6749\). Also: Playground, Animal Corral, Free Wagon Rides, Pony rides, Pumpkin festival. See website for more! . Click here for a map and directions.
  Forsythe Family Farms Facebook page. . 1 km north of Major Mackenzie Dr. - East of #404. Second location 1025 Cragg Road Greenbank (Phone: 905-985-6749). Also: Playground, Animal Corral, Free Wagon Rides, Pony rides, Pumpkin festival. See website for more!
• Organics Farm - Certified Organic, apples, currants (red and black), other berries, raspberries (red), strawberries,
  7550 19th Avenue, Markham, ON L6B 1A8. Phone: (905) 640-5206. Email: info@organicsfarm.ca. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Fax: (905) 642-6247 We are certified organic for all crops! We are a new small family farm that offers pick your own & ready picked small fruits and vegetables. Please visit our web site for complete product details & availability, or call the farm hotlinePick Your Own & Ready Picked Apples, Raspberries & Strawberries, Small Fruits and Ready Picked Vegetables.
• Reesor Farm Market - Strawberries, pumpkins
  10825 Ninth Line, Markham, ON . Phone: 905-640-4568. Email: reesors.info@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6:30pm, June to October; Call our PYO line for picking times and conditions. Click here for a map and directions. Take Hwy 404 or Markham Rd to Major Mackenzie Dr. Go east on Major Mackenzie Dr until you come to Ninth Line (11 kms from 404). Watch for signs. Turn left onto Ninth Line for 2 kms. is on right hand side. Come visit and enjoy fresh Ontario strawberries, ON produce and baked goods. In 2020 we're celebrating 35 years growing & making good food in York Region. Enjoy the best of Ontario produce at Reesor's Farm Market. Entering our market you will be greeted by our friendly staff and the aroma of our own pies and cookies coming out of the ovens. Explore the wide range of our other delicious baking, our own take-home frozen entrees (including gluten free), preserves, frozen meats and more. (UPDATED: August 31, 2020 JBS)
• Robintide Farms - beans, peas, raspberries (red), strawberries, U-pick and already picked
  2720 King-vaughan Road, Vaughan, ON L6A 2A9. Phone: (647) 988-2720. Email: robintidefarms@gmail.com. Open: Monday: 12pm to 7pm Tuesday to Friday: 9am to 7pm Saturday and Sunday: 8am to 5pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards.
  Robintide Farms Facebook page. Strawberry season is middle of June to middle of July Raspberry season is middle of July to early August(UPDATED: August 31, 2020 JBS) (ADDED: June 22, 2018)
• Trapper Bob - strawberries
  16864 Warden Ave and Vivian sideroad, Newmarket, ON . Phone: 905-836-6358. Email: trapperbob@trapperbob.ca. Open: Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 8 pm, Closed Sunday. Click here for a map and directions. Warden Ave. just north of Vivian Road or 1.5 km south of Davis Dr. We specialize in pick-your-own or ready-picked and sweet corn when in season For current harvest conditions call the farm at (905) 836-6358. (UPDATED: August 31, 2020 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