2023 Central Indiana Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

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Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Central Indiana 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!

Clinton County

  • Smith Farms - apples, flowers, peaches, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (black), strawberries, U-pick and already picked, picnic area you may bring your own food
    1465 North 800 West, Frankfort, IN 46041. Phone: 7652969554. Email: [email protected]. Open: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: see website for directions. For a map to our farm, . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
    Smith Farms Facebook page. . Please check our website in May for our pick your own strawberry hours. PEACH SEASON MID JULY - MID AUGUST. Peach Varieties: Early Red Haven, Red Star , Bright Star, Blazing Star, Glow Haven, Canadian Harmony, Glowing Star, J.H. Hale, Star Fire, Artic Gem, Crest Haven, Red Globe and O'Henry. Please visit us on Facebook for exact picking dates and times. APPLE SEASON LATE AUGUST- LATE OCTOBER: Apple Varieties: : Macintosh, Cortland, Jonathan, Early Fuji, Early Red One, Oregon Spur, Melrose, Cameo, and Honey Crisp. PUMPKIN SEASON LATE SEPTEMBER-LATE OCTOBER: We will also have our "own" mums and cornstalks available at this time. We are opening our Strawberry Fields on Monday in late May. Please note these hours may change due to weather/crop conditions. We will update Facebook daily with exact dates and times or you may call us.

Delaware County

  • Landess Farm - pumpkins, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, farm market, school tours
    6000 Wcr 700 South, Daleville, IN 47334. Phone: 765-759-9937. Email: [email protected]. Open: Monday to friday from 12 pm to 6 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm and Closed on Saturday. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
    Landess Farm Facebook page. . Strawberries start beginning of June; corn, tomatoes and other produce in July; and pumpkins in October; Pumpkin patch and corn maze open the last Sunday in September until the Sunday before Halloween. (UPDATED: October 06, 2019, JBS) NOTE: As of October 6, 2019, their website is either down or hacked - see their Facebook page instead

Hamilton County

  • Spencer Farm - asparagus,strawberries, blueberries, grapes, black raspberries, red raspberries, pumpkins, field grown chrysanthemums, restrooms
    7177 East 161st Street, Noblesville, IN 46062. Phone: 317-776-1560. Email: [email protected]. Open: For current hours of operation please visit our website. Directions: Follow signs from 146th Street and Allisonville Rd. Gift shop. Typical crop availability: May-Asparagus, Rhubarb. June-strawberries, black raspberries, blueberries. July-Blueberries. August and September- red raspberries, mums, summer vegetables. October- pumpkins and mums. November and December- live . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: cash, credit cards.
    Spencer Farm Facebook page. . Christmas trees. We now have pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, straw bales, field grown chrysanthemums, etc., and hayrides to the pumpkin patch on Saturday and Sunday. In the market we have apples grown right here in Indiana, along with many, many fall festive items. Don't forget to order your Thanksgiving pies and baked goods, we will be open all year! Spencer's You-Pick is now. Our name has changed slightly, but our determination to serve our many valued customers through the years remains the same.
    Comments from a visitor on June 29, 2012: "Farm is very conveniently located to metropolitan Indy. We picked black raspberries here 3 times during peak season. Bushes are very healthy and the berries are irrigated so the drought didn't affect their size as much as I saw on other Indiana farms. The black raspberry prices are a little high but considering the prices for gas, you really won't spend more money picking here if you had to drive further. The staff was pleasant and the picking atmosphere was very easy going. All in all, a great picking experience and delicious black raspberries."
    Comments from a visitor on October 30, 2008: "There is a country store with ice cream, fudge and 20 different kinds of home-made pies. Also the best cinnamon rolls are made there every morning. During the month of October there is free hay rides to the pumkin patch. Picking your own berries was a very fun time on the farm. They have a farm dog which seems to really love all the attention. The country store was remodeled this year with a new bakery and some of the best pies that I have tasted. The baker is within view while he is preparing the pies so that you know they are made right there. The cinnamon rolls are to die for and are made every day."

Hancock County

  • Piney Acres Farm - strawberries, pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, haunted corn maze, child-sized haybale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties
    1115 E. 1000 North, Fortville, IN 46040. Phone: 317-326-1700. Email: [email protected]. Open: Call before you go - there is nothing about strawberries on their website now. Directions: click here. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard.
    Piney Acres Farm Facebook page. . . Crops are usually available in September, October, November, December. click here for current hours. Please see our website for more detailed information and fun activities for the kids! Facebook page.

Henry County

  • Hidden Acres - Strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, wagon rides
    10645 W. 425 S., Wilkinson, IN 46186. Phone: 765-785-2603. Email: [email protected]. Open: 8 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday; closed on Sunday. Directions: See their website for directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Pick your own strawberries with an added Wagon Ride out to the fields! We have not been able to offer U-pick for the last several years due to weather conditions and other reasons. Choosing to be chemical free has proven to be very challenging and we have been working through these struggles with the hopes of gaining wisdom and knowledge. We are learning a lot and things are beginning to look up. We are currently transitioning to a unique style of growing. We are excited about the possibilities but are not sure how it will work over the long haul. Thank-you for the support and encouragement that we have received over the last few years. Follow us on Facebook for more timely updates on all the happenings here on the farm. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
    Hidden Acres Facebook page. . .
    Comments from a visitor on January 10, 2012: "Had a blast, took my mother and my 3 year old son and picked strawberries till we were wore out and Loved the Wagon Rides to and from the fields! "

Johnson County

  • The Apple Works - strawberries, pumpkins
    8157 S. 250 West, Trafalgar, IN 46181. Phone: 317-878-9317. Email: [email protected]. Open: Monday thru Saturday 9am to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 6pm. Directions: From SR 135, east on SR 252 in Trafalgar; Right on CR 300 for 5 miles; Right on CR 250 W 1 mile. . Click here for a map and directions.
    The Apple Works Facebook page. . . Click here for a map. No PYO apples, only Prepicked Apples (65 varieties), We hope you plan to stay awhile when you come visit. Just outside our barn is a picnic area where you can enjoy a cool cider slush and the sounds of the waterfall across the pond. Our gazebo is a great place for a quiet chat or family photos. Take the kids across the way to visit the animals at the farm animal exhibit or take a ride through the orchard in one of our tractor-drawn wagons.

Madison County

  • TLC Produce - Uses integrated pest management practices, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, restrooms
    3912 W. 25th St, Anderson, IN 46011. Phone: (765) 810-6460. Email: [email protected]. Open: Typical season is 3 weeks from the end of May to the middle of June; In season, Sunday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, supply and weather permitting; We are always closed on Saturdays; Please call ahead or check the website for availability; We do take reservations. Directions: Located on the west side of Anderson, 1 12 miles west or Raible Avenue on 25th Street. Our season is usually from May 25 to June 15. We use integrated pest management practices. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
    TLC Produce Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: (765) 374-5008. . Located on the west side of Anderson, 1 1/2 miles west or Raible Avenue on 25th Street. Our season is usually from May 25 to June 15. We use integrated pest management practices. (ADDED: March 01, 2021)

Marion County

  • Driving Wind Blueberry Farm - strawberries, blueberries, blackberries
    Michigan Rd & W 64th St, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Phone: 317-257-3001. Open: by appointment, call for an appointment. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . See their website for directions. They offer U-pick blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, fall mums, local honey, fruit dressings, preserves, local produce and more.
  • Waterman's Family Farm - strawberries, tomatoes, corn, other vegetables, pumpkins, corn mazes, hayrides and much more
    7010 E Raymond Street, Indianapolis, IN 46239. Phone: 317-888-4189. Email: [email protected]. Open: Daily, May through July. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions.
    Waterman's Family Farm Facebook page. . Check here for crop availability. From I-465 on the south side of Indianapolis: take SR 37 south 5 miles. Farm on west side of 37, 1/4 mile south of county line. Bring the whole family for a farmload of fun. Waterman's Grown Produce: These are approximate dates and are subject to change as weather permits. ​Strawberries June 1 to June 20Sweet Green Peas June 8 to July 4Sweet Corn July 3 to September 30Green Beans July 10 to FrostBeets July 10 to September 30Bell and Hot Peppers July 17 to FrostTomatoes July 22 to FrostCantaloupes July 30 to September 30Greens September 20 to October 31(UPDATED: May 22, 2019, JBS)

Parke County

  • Ditzler Farm (formerly Cherrywood Farm) - apples, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, picnic area
    8184 South, 625 West, Rosedale, IN 47874. Phone: 765-548-0582. Email: [email protected]. Open: Strawberry U - Pick begins in late May and runs for about 5 weeks; Picking hours begin at 7:30 am , Monday through Saturday; Sunday 9:00 am; U-pick - May to November. Directions: Located just 1 mile east of US 41 near Lyford, Indiana. From the north, follow US41 south from Rockville for about 10 miles to CR900 South. Turn left and continue for 1 mile to crossroad 625 West and follow the signs. From the south, follow US41 north for about 11 miles from Terre Haute center. Turn right at CR900 South, after railroad overpass, and continue to crossroad 625 West and follow the signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
    Ditzler Farm (formerly Cherrywood Farm) Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 765-376-0138. . Fresh apple cider - all natural. Scoop shop featuring Glover's Ice Cream. Jams, apple butter, fruit ciders. Locally owned since 1970. Blueberry U - Pick begins in late June and continues for 3 weeks; Blackberry U - pick begins Mid - July and continues for 5 weeks; Picking hours for blueberries and blackberries begin at 9:00 am. Strawberries are usually in good supply. Blueberries and Blackberries are often picked out early as our supply had not yet met our demand. Please call the number listed for updates during the season or text 765-376-0138. Cherrywood farm offers a lovely, quiet setting the whole family will enjoy. Access assistance is available. Picked berries are sold at Ditzler Orchard, 8902 South, 625 West, and at the field. We are the u-pick berries for Ditzler Orchard. We also offer u-pick apples at the orchard. (UPDATED: June 20, 2019)

Putnam County

  • Sweetness Farms - Uses natural growing practices, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, U-pick and already picked
    6300 East U.s. 40, Fillmore, IN 46128. Phone: 317-665-0425. Open: Thursday to Saturday, from 10 am to 8 pm; Sunday from 1 pm to 7 pm, Starting in June until strawberry plants stop producing. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Honey, blueberries and Grapes. is a u-pick farm with over 2.5 acres of berries.and 6,000 strawberry plants. We have VERY delicious strawberries grown using organic methods and no pesticides or sprays. Come pick some FRESH strawberries on our u-pick farm .

Tipton County

  • B & B Berries and More - No pesticides are used, strawberries,
    5949 N State Road 19, Sharpsville, IN 46068. Phone: 765-963-2807. Email: [email protected]. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm; Closed Sunday; Dates general late May to middle to late June. Directions: Coming from the south go 5 miles north of Tipton, Indiana on State Road 19. Coming from the north go 2 miles south of State Road 26 on State Road 19. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
    B & B Berries and More Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 765-860-3996. . We do not use pesticides on the crops. Strawberries are the main crop with availability depending upon weather. Starting dates will vary each year. Find us on Facebook at for produce availability. We can also be found at the Tipton Farmers Market most Saturday's during the summer months. Facebook page.

Wayne County

  • Bell's Strawberry Farm - asparagus, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries
    16447 State Road 38, Hagerstown, IN 47346. Phone: 765-489-5753. Email: [email protected]. Open: May, June, July. Directions: It is easy to find us. We are located one mile west of Hagerstown, IN on State Road 38. Half way between Indianapolis Indiana and Dayton Ohio. From Interstate 70 take exit north to State Road 1. Follow State Road 1 north to the first flashing four way stop. Turn west \(left\) and go through Hagerstown. From the western edge of Hagerstown go exactly one mile. Watch for the strawberry signs \(in season\). Our drive way is on the south side of the State Road 38. . Click here for a map and directions. . Fax: 765 489 6136. . It is easy to find us. We are located one mile west of Hagerstown, IN on State Road 38. Half way between Indianapolis Indiana and Dayton Ohio. From Interstate 70 take exit north to State Road 1. Follow State Road 1 north to the first flashing four way stop. Turn west (left) and go through Hagerstown. From the western edge of Hagerstown go exactly one mile. Watch for the strawberry signs (in season). Our drive way is on the south side of the State Road 38. Click here for a map to our farm. We are open Our hours are: Monday to Saturday 8 AM to 7 PM Closed Sundays Asparagus: Starts around Tax Day or April 15 Strawberries: Memorial Day to Father's Day Raspberries and Blackberries: Start around the Fourth of July Please see our website for more information.

 

Strawberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

strawberry pick-your-own field

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

Before you leave to go to the farm:

  1. Always call before you go to the farm - strawberries are affected by weather (both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
  2. Leave early.  On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
     
  3. strawberry picking bucket from Washington FarmsMost growers furnish picking containers designed for strawberries, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.


    strawberries, just picked from the fieldIf you use your own containers, remember that heaping strawberries more than 5 inches deep will bruise the lower berries. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
  4. Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.Sttawberry bush with ripe strawberries, up close

Tips on How to Pick Strawberries

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

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

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

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

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

General Picking Tips

close-up of the rows in a strawberry patch at at PYO strawberry fieldWhether you pick strawberries from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

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

When you get home

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

Strawberry Recipes, Canning and Freezing Strawberries

Strawberry Facts, Measurements and Tips

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

Other weird strawberry facts

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

More conversions

1 pint (2 cups)  of fresh whole strawberries

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

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

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

References:

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


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