2023 Delaware Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Delaware in 2023, 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.

Kent County

• Bobola Farm & Florist - pumpkins, strawberries, gift shop, porta-potties
  5268 Forrest Avenue, Dover, DE 19904. Phone: (302) 492-3367. Email: bobolaflorist@aol.com. Open: Strawberries mid May through June, weather pending, Monday through Saturday, 8am to 5:30pm. Directions: Located 5 miles West of Dover on Route 8 \(Forrest Avenue\), just East of Pearsons Corner intersection. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Bobola Farm & Florist Facebook page. . Located 5 miles West of Dover on Route 8 (Forrest Avenue), just East of Pearsons Corner intersection. Strawberry season is typically May 15 through the month of June, Pumpkin and corn maze season begins mid September through the month of October, Christmas trees are available after Thanksgiving up to Christmas; Strawberry Festival is typically held the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend; Fall Festival will be held October 20th 2018;. Fall Festival and Strawberry Festival includes activities such as petting zoo, face painting, bounce houses, barrel cart rides, and games. We are also a floral Shop we do Weddings,Annivesary,Birthdays,and Funeral Flowers. We also have 8 greenhouses we grow our own mums, Poins,Annual and Perennials. we also carry smaller shrubs, roses bushes.(UPDATED: September 11, 2018)
• Fifer Orchards - strawberries, blueberries, apples, flowers, pumpkins, Pick-your-own apples, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, straw or hay bale maze, child-sized haybale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, wagon rides, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), and prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, birthday parties, school tours
  1919 Allabands Mill Road, Wyoming, DE 19934. Phone: 302-697-2141. Email: fiferorchards@gmail.com. Open: The U-Pick strawberry patch will open in early May around the 7th Monday to Saturday closed on Sundays. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard.
  Fifer Orchards Facebook page. . The U-Pick strawberry patch will open in early May (around the 7th) Monday to Saturday (closed on Sundays).; blueberries start June 22 from 10am to 4pm Monday through Saturday. Crops are usually available in April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. Facebook page. They also have plenty of pre-picked Fifer strawberries inside Fifer's Farm Store for those that don't want to venture into the patch. The farm's Farm Kitchen building sells lunch and dessert items such as cider donuts, strawberry ice cream, apple cider slushies and homemade strawberry shortcakes.There will also be bulk discounts on pre-picked strawberries by the flat during the peak harvest season. Strawberry flats are a great value for those wanting to freeze strawberries or make jam. Peach Festival held first Saturday in August, draws several thousand people (free peach ice cream given away on this day). Our strawberry festival will be on Saturday, in May from 10am-4pm; see this page for more information. They also have special events on weekends that often include live music, farm animal exhibits, educational presenters, tractor train rides, cooking demonstrations, face painting, food trucks and more.
• Home Grown Produce - Strawberries
  435 Nault Road, Dover, DE 19904. Phone: . Open: In Season, 6 days a week; This came from a Eelaware government list, so I cannot vouch for its accuracy; Also has already harvested Beans-lima, Bedding plants, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cantaloupes, Cauliflower, Corn, Cucumbers, Greenhouse, Hanging baskets, Herbs, Honey, Peppers, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Squash, Strawberries, Sweet potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watermelon. Click here for a map and directions.
• Hundred Acre Farms - strawberries, blackberries, u-pick and pre-picked, Christmas trees
  2124 Vandyke Greenspring Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977. Phone: (302) 406-0110. Email: info@hundredacrefarms.org. Open: see their Facebook page for updates, as it can change frequently, typically strawberry picking on weekends from 10 am to 5 pm and on Mondays and Fridays after 5 pm if you call before you go and arrange it. Click here for a map and directions. . This is a family farm with berries, Beekeeping, Christmas trees, fruit, garden produce, and small batch jams.
• John's Produce - strawberries,
  4693 Kenton Rd, Dover, DE 19904. Phone: (302)-423-7035. Open: End of May - Mid June; call for hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. .
• Loblolly Acres - strawberries, pumpkins, Christmas trees, gift shop, porta-potties are available, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
  3893 Turkey Point Road, Woodside, DE 19980. Phone: (302) 284-9255. Open: 9am to 5pm, seven days a week from March 1st until December 25th. Directions: From Route 13, go west on Walnut Shade Road to railroad tracks in town of Woodside. Before tracks, turn left going south along tracks on Turkey Point Road, go 1 mi. to first farm on right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . First weekend in December is the Christmas Extravaganza and Annual Open house.
• Twisted Steel Cattle Company - pick your own and prepicked strawberries, beef, produce, farm market.
  14255 S. DuPont Hwy, Harrington, DE 19952. Phone: (302) 566-6943. Email: twistedsteelcattlecollc@gmail.com. Open: daily in season from 10 am to 5:30 pm, rain or shine. Click here for a map and directions. . . daily (in season) from 10 am to 5:30 pm, rain or shine. Farm market featuring our own home grown beef and our own "veggies" and so much more. Ccustomers may call ahead to have an order ready for them and to let us know if they prefer us to bring it out to them. (ADDED: June 14, 2022, JBS)

New Castle County

• Fairview Sod Farm - Strawberries
  380 Green Giant Road, Townsend, DE 19734. Phone: 302-378-0611. Email: fairviewsod@verizon.net. Open: Monday to Friday from 8am-4pm ;Closed 12-1pm for lunch; Saturday 8am-11am; close don Suday; strawberries usually start in late May. Click here for a map and directions. . We also have cage free, free-range brown eggs for sale! Coming up in May, our fields will be full of ripe . We offer varieties for canning, freezing and eating.
  Comments from a visitor on May 12, 2010: "You can either bring your own bucket/container or by a large cardboard flat for 75 cents"
• Filasky's - peppers, strawberries, tomatoes,
  1343 Bunker Hill Rd, Middletown, DE 19709. Phone: 302-378-2754. Email: pumpkinlady46@yahoo.com. Open: Monday to Saturday from 7am to 7pm, Sunday from 7am to 6pm. Directions: Off Route 301 south, west of Middletown. 2 Miles down Bunker Hill Road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. 93Filasky's E mail: .

Sussex County

• Broadcreek Strawberries - strawberries
  8523 Bethel Road, Seaford, DE . Phone: 302-875-3872. Open: May to early June for strawberries; early July to mid-September for watermelons and cantaloupes, daily 8 am to dusk. Click here for a map and directions. . (ADDED: May 12, 2010, from visitor)
• Donnie's Market - strawberries
  14036 Seashore Highway, Greenwood, DE . Phone: 302-349-5446. Open: April to November, from 8 am to 8 pm. Click here for a map and directions. . (ADDED: May 12, 2010, from visitor)
• Ernest Fruit Farm - strawberries, blueberries, you-pick and already picked
  15092 S Union Church Rd, Ellendale, DE 19941. Phone: (302) 349-5986. Email: jeremyvernest@gmail.com. Open: See their website; strawberries start at the end of April and end in early June, blueberries usually start in mid-June. Click here for a map and directions.
  Ernest Fruit Farm Facebook page. . They grow and sell strawberries, blueberries, and picked pole lima beans. Berries are available in season at our self serve fruit stand. You may call and order larger quantities, such as for freezing or jelly. Pick-Your-Own is often available during the berry season. The pole lima beans are sold almost exclusively through pre-orders, often with an extensive waiting list. If you are interested, contact us early and closely follow the unpredictable pole bean season. All produce we sell is grown on our own four acres. Facebook page.
• Handley's U-Pick - Strawberries and Peas.
  6094 Epthworth Church Rd, Bridgeville, DE 19933. Phone: . Open: May to September. Click here for a map and directions.
• Isaacs' Family Farm - Strawberries, raspberries, mums, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans-snap, beans-lima, collards, turnip greens, wintercress, broccoli, cabbage, peas, cauliflower, and blackeye peas.
  22010 DuPont Blvd, Georgetown, DE 19947. Phone: (302) 856-7245. Open: Call for availability, March 1 to December 31 from 9am-8pm. Click here for a map and directions. We also have already harvested apples, asparagus, beans-lima, beans-snap, bedding plants, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupes, carrots, cauliflower, Christmas items, Christmas trees, cider, corn, cucumbers, garden center, greenhouse, hanging baskets, herbs, honey, Indian corn, mums, nectarines, onions, peaches, peas, peppers, plums, poinsettias, potatoes, pumpkins, raspberries, squash, strawberries, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, and watermelons.
• Jeff's Greenhouses (H&H Brand Farms) - strawberries
  Main Street, Box 5, Bethel, DE . Phone: 302-276-3420. Open: Year-round, Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. . (ADDED: May 12, 2010, from visitor)
• Lewes Magee Farms - strawberries, pumpkins, Christmas trees
  33761 Wescoats Road, Lewes, DE 19958. Phone: (302) 644-1023. Email: emagee525@gmail.com. Open: Strawberry Season is short; It runs from the first of May to the middle of June; from 10 AM to 5 PM every day. Directions: 5 miles west of Fenwick island. . Click here for a map and directions. Lewes Magee Farms . So don't put picking off! Click here for a map and directions. You don't have to bring your own container to pick strawberries. We have containers you can pick in and take with you or you can bring your own if you wish. We will weigh them before you pick. Spring - U-Pick or we-Pick strawberries, seasonal fruits and vegetables, herbs and a variety of perennials and annuals. Summer - Help yourself vegetable stand with farm fresh peppers, corn, melons, squash, broccoli,zucchini, jams, jellies and honey. Fall - Pumpkins and Firewood. Winter- Christmas tree and wreaths
  Comments from a visitor on July 10, 2009: "Visited there in June w/ two small children - was lots of fun. There is a roadside stand where you can buy just picked strawberries or I saw some small plants/flowers for sale as well. They have containers if you need them."
• Magee Farms - strawberries
  34857 Lighthouse Rd, Selbyville, DE 19975. Phone: (302) 436-5589. Email: emagee525@gmail.com. Open: Strawberry Season is short; It runs from the first of May to the middle of June; from 10 AM to 5 PM every day. Directions: 5 miles west of Fenwick island. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Magee Farms Facebook page. . Fax: 302-436-9842. . So don't put picking off! Click here for a map to general area of our farm. You don't have to bring your own container to pick . We have containers you can pick in and take with you or you can bring your own if you wish. We will weigh them before you pick. Facebook page. Their two farm stands, in Selbyville and Lewes (see above), are open from April to December and usually have strawberry picking from May to mid-June. 2022 update: are $6.00/lb + $2.00/person entry fee.
  Comments from a visitor on July 10, 2009: "Visited there in June w/ two small children - was lots of fun. There is a roadside stand where you can buy just picked or I saw some small plants/flowers for sale as well. They have containers if you need them."
• Parsons Farms Produce - strawberries, blueberries, peaches, apples, pumpkins
  30381 Armory Rd, Dagsboro, DE 19939. Phone: (302) 732-3336. Email: info@parsonsfarmsproduce.com. Open: see their website for hours, strawberries start in May. Directions: Located in Dagsboro, Delaware; Parsons Farms Produce is a family owned market that prides itself in providing quality produce. Click here for a map and directions.
  Parsons Farms Produce Facebook page. . With the "Freshest Produce in Delaware," we offer a unique experience for the whole family with a variety of seasonal u-picks and the famous Goat Mountain. . You Pick Strawberry Patch Will Reopen in May, You Pick Blueberries Will Reopen Mid June; You Pick Peaches Will Reopen July. You Pick Apples Will Reopen August. You Pick Pumpkins Will Reopen September. They have a new high tunnel greenhouse for a U-Pick tomato experience. The high tunnel has many benefits, some of which are: higher and earlier yields, improved fruit quality, and a reduction or elimination of pesticide and fungicide applications. We hope to open U-Pick tomatoes Memorial Day weekend. Facebook page. There is a Country Store with fresh jams, jellies, pickled produce, an Ice Cream Shop. The Ice Cream Shop is new to Parsons Farms and serves Hershey's Ice Cream. Stop by with the family for a cool treat! Enjoy outstanding quality cuts of our grass fed, grain finished beef - skip the supermarket and by the freshest meats from Parsons Farms.
• TS Smith & Sons - apples, cherries, figs, nectarines, peaches, pumpkins, strawberries, Turkeys (organic, not-hormone-fed), Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, inflatables or bounce houses, pony rides, petting zoo
  8887 Redden Rd, Bridgeville, DE 19933. Phone: (302)337-8271. Email: tssmithandsons@gmail.com. Open: May and June 2014: Strawberries and Cherries July and August 2013: Peaches and Nectarines September and October: Pumpkins and Apples. Directions: We are conveniently located on US 13 and DE 40 \(the Redden Road\) in Bridgeville, Delaware. For those coming from the east or west, use DE 40418 or DE 16 to reach us on US 13. Our farm market is on the southbound side. Look for the red roof on our historic market; it is an old apple packing house! Our seasonal market and you pick stand is on the northbound side of US 13 and DE 40. Call us for directions!. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  TS Smith & Sons Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: (302)236-3675. . We are conveniently located on US 13 and DE 40 (the Redden Road) in Bridgeville, Delaware. For those coming from the east or west, use DE 404/18 or DE 16 to reach us on US 13. Our farm market is on the southbound side. Look for the red roof on our historic market; it is an old apple packing house! Our seasonal market and you pick stand is on the northbound side of US 13 and DE 40. Call us for directions!. Be sure to verify and see if we are at a farmer's market near you. Ask for us at your favorite area restaurant; chances are, if they are using local produce they are using TS Smith and Sons'!.
• West Produce & Orchards - Strawberries
  28078 Broadkill Rd., Milton, DE 19968. Phone: (302) 684-3085. Open: UPDATE for 2019, Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me, last reported hours were May to Sept from 9am-6pm. Click here for a map and directions. . Offerings: Asparagus, baked goods, lima beans, cantaloupes, corn,cucumbers, cut flowers, herbs, jams, jellies, nectarines, onions, peaches, peas, peppers, plums, potatoes, squash, , tomatoes, and watermelons.

 

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