2024 Baltimore area of Maryland Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Baltimore area of Maryland in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for strawberries that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have strawberries orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

Anne Arundel County

• Chase's Produce - strawberries, farmstand
  2857 Davidsonville Rd, Davidsonville, MD 21035. Phone: 410-798-1580. Email: chasesproduce@chasesproduce.com. Open: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Rt. 424 one mile South of Route 50 on Right. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. Chase\'s Produce stand is . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. 0Chase's Produce . Rt. 424 one mile South of Route 50 on Right. stand is open seasonally, seven days a week bringing you fresh sweet corn, homegrown tomatoes, cantaloupes, watermelons, squash, green beans, peppers, cucumbers, egg plants and much more. In the Fall of 2015, Bob decided to open a U-Pick Strawberry operation as a way to expand the business and bring in new customers. The farm stand is located on Rt. 424 one mile south of Rt. 50 on the right; between Rutland Rd. and Galway Rd.(ADDED: April 25, 2016)
• Country Aire Farm - strawberries, porta-potties are available
  631 W Bay Front Rd, Lothian, MD 20711. Phone: (301) 943-1471. Open: Monday to Sunday, from 9 am to 6 pm, May 1 to June 30. Directions: From D.C take exit Route 4 East to Bristol - Deale Exit . Continue on to Route 258. Approximately 1 Mile. From Annapolis take Route 2. To Route 258. Continue approximately 3 miles. Look for our signs. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Alternate Phone: (301) 943-1286. Fax: 410-705-1376. The ONLY pyo crops offered are Strawberry. (UPDATED: June 02, 2020)
• Paddy's Produce - strawberries,
  621 West Bayfront Road, Lothian, MD 20711. Phone: 443-433-6657. Email: jimmypaddy53@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Sunday daily, from 10:00am to 6:00pm from May 20 to June 10. Directions: From Route 4 to West Bayfront Road continue to road side stand on right hand side approximately 2 miles. From Deale take East Bayfront Road to road side stand about 7 miles on left hand side of road. Look for our Signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Paddy's Produce . Monday to Sunday (daily, from 10:00am to 6:00pm from May 20 to June 10. PADDY PRODUCE roadside stand opens July thru October. Corn, Tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, string beans, watermelons, cantaloupe, etc. All home grown .

Baltimore County

• Jone's Farm - Strawberries and an array of vegetables, pumpkins and other produce.
  2100 Philadelphia Rd, Edgewood, MD 21040. Phone: (410) 676-3709. Email: allison@jonesproducefarm.com. Open: call for hours, crop availability; Strawberry season starts about mid-May and usually continues into early June, all depending on the weather. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. To be sure that we have strawberries available, call us before coming out. Your local family farm and one stop shop for fresh-harvested Tomatoes, Sweet Corn, Squash, Broccoli, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkins, and much more from our farm. Since 1956, Jones Produce Farm has been serving Harford, Baltimore, and Cecil Counties with the freshest produce, beautiful flowers in our greenhouses, and the friendliest service. We are open April 4th through December 23rd. Jone's Family Farm Facebook page. We offer a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, School Field Trips, Pick your Own Strawberries and Pumpkins, our plethora of Fresh Vegetables, Kilby's Milk and Ice Cream, Fresh Eggs from Albright Farms, Mulch and Topsoil with Delivery option, UPICK Christmas trees, Fresh Wreaths, and MUCH MUCH MORE!
• Pearlstone Center - CERTIFIED ORGANIC, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, gift shop, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food
  5425 Mount Gilead Road, Reisterstown, MD 21136. Phone: (410) 500-5371. Email: upick@pearlstonecenter.org. Open: Once picking begins we will be open 2 to 3 weekdays and Sunday each week weather and berries permitting; Picking hours, during the season, are 10am to 6pm on weekdays and 10am to 4pm on weekends; Picking is first come, first serve and hours can vary; Please see our website or Facebook page for current availability and hours. Directions: From Baltimore: Take I-695 to Exit 19 \(I-795, Northwest Expressway\). Travel 10 miles and take Exit 9B for MD-140 West. Continue onto MD-140 W for three miles, then turn right onto MD-91 NEmory Road Travel 4.7 miles and turn right onto MD-30 S. In 1.9 miles, turn right onto Mt. Gilead Road. Go around the curve to a stop sign and follow signs pointing “Pearlstone Retreat Center” and "UPick". Our Pick Your Own Strawberry program is . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Pearlstone Center Facebook page. . . From Baltimore: Take I-695 to Exit 19 (I-795, Northwest Expressway). Travel 10 miles and take Exit 9B for MD-140 West. Continue onto MD-140 W for three miles, then turn right onto MD-91 N/Emory Road Travel 4.7 miles and turn right onto MD-30 S. In 1.9 miles, turn right onto Mt. Gilead Road. Go around the curve to a stop sign and follow signs pointing “Pearlstone Retreat Center” and "UPick". Our Pick Your Own Strawberry program is open to Retreat Guests and the General Public; Strawberry picking is a short window about 3 to 4 weeks only beginning in May. We are certified organic for all crops! (ADDED: May 25, 2018)
• Weber's Cider Mill Farm - strawberries, blueberries, apples, blackberries, peaches
  2526 Proctor Lane, Parkville, MD . Phone: 410-668-4488. Email: admin@weberscidermillfarm.com. Open: See their website for crop availability and hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. . Apple picking on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm, until the supply runs out (usually at the end of September). Also has "make your own scarecrow".The annual Weber Cider Mill Farm Johnny Appleseed Festival is on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm, with crafts, pit beef, children's games and live bluegrass. Kids' Weekend September 25 and 26 from noon to 4 features hayrides ($1), a large hay maze ($2) and free performances by the Singing Scarecrow from 1 to 2:30 each day. More Fall activities on weekends during October. Typical harvest dates:Strawberries Mid-May thru Mid-JuneBlueberries Late June thru Mid-JulyBlackberries Mid-July thru Mid-AugustPeaches Mid-July thru Late AugustApples September thru Early November

Calvert County

• Swann Farms Produce and PYO Berries - U-pick strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, all produce is sustainably grown, restrooms, picnic area
  7740 Swan Lane, Owings, MD 20736. Phone: . Email: swannfarmsmaryland@gmail.com. Open: May- September. Directions: See their website for directions. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard .
  Swann Farms Produce and PYO Berries Facebook page.

Carroll County

• Baugher's Orchard - strawberries, peaches, sweet and sour cherries, apples, nectarines, plums, peas, pumpkins
  1015 Baugher Road, Westminster, MD 21158. Phone: 410-857-0111. Email: info@baughers.com. Open: seasonal PYO, Early Summer picking hours are: 8 am to 6 pm, 7 days a week , June to December at orchard market. Directions: about three miles west of Westminster, Maryland on Route 140. . Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate Phone: 410-848-5541. . Directions and map page. We also have a complete selection of picked fruits and veggies, our own baked goods and hand dipped ice cream. We press our own cider. Apple butter, fruit baskets, jelly & apple gift baskets (seasonal). Click here for our Facebook page
  Comments from a visitor on June 17, 2010: "Ts is the best place ever! My family and I have always gone there to pick pumpkins, however in the last year we have started taking advantage of all the other produce they have to offer. I had 4 boys with me (ages 6-8) and we spent nearly 4 hours picking 12 lbs of cherries (ladders were provided and moved for us) 5 lbs of strawberries and 56 pea pods (cause the boys just wanted to try fresh peas). There are tractor rides out to all the picking areas and boxes to use. We have also picked apples and peaches there as well. Bring a hat, and though they provide water out in the fields bring you own water bottle. If you ask for directions-not to far from the farm is the family restaraunt that has wonderful local fare but save room for the pie! "
  Comments from a visitor on September 19, 2009: "Picked apples today at Baughers Orchard and had a blast! Though there were a lot of people there, we had no trouble finding parking and then took a tractor ride to the orchard. There are at least three different play sets for young kids (elementary and younger) on the grounds, a petting zoo with a sink and soap for washing up after visiting the animals, and a country store with baked goods and ice cream. And the pick-your-own apples are very reasonably priced. A great place to take the whole family! "

Charles County

• Shlagel Farms - Strawberries, pumpkins, fall veggies
  12850 Shlagel Rd, Waldorf, MD 20601. Phone: 301-645-4554. Email: Info@ShlagelFarms.com. Open: late April or early May, see Facebook for exact day. Click here for a map and directions.
  Shlagel Farms Facebook page. . . Facebook page. Pick-your-own and pre-picked strawberries are available. Greenhouses with hanging baskets, porch pots and bedding plants. The Shlagel's specialize in vegetable production selling wholesale to Washington area chain stores. They also raise quality hay for the pleasure horse trade, as well as field corn and soybeans to feed their herd of Angus beef cattle. They open the farm to the public in spring so you may enjoy a day in the country relaxing with family and picking strawberries. (UPDATED: October 05, 2019, JBS)

Frederick County

• Catoctin Mountain Orchard - blackberries, black raspberries, blueberries, sweet and sour cherries, strawberries, flowers
  US Route 15, 15036 North Franklinville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788. Phone: 301-271-2737. Email: CMOinfo@aol.com. Open: The market is open daily Monday to Sunday 9 am to 5 pm; Call our Market for more Information. Directions: On U.S. 15, north of Thurmont, Maryland. Apple varieties: Autumn Gala, September Wonder, Crimson Crisp, Cortland, Jonagold, Mountain Honey. coming soon, Mt Honey, Cameo. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Catoctin Mountain Orchard Facebook page. . Facebook page. Bakery - frozen and fresh baked pies, Snacks, Cut your own flowers, Jams & Jellies, Playground, Canned goods, Crafts, Soup and dip mixes and so much more
• Glade Link Farms - Strawberries, blueberries, red raspberries, vegetables.
  Route 194, New Midway, MD . Phone: 301-898-7131. Open: call for appointments; ALWAYS CALL PRIOR TO GOING. Click here for a map and directions. . . Also Pumpkin patch tours; only given during fall season., in business for over 40 years, is a local family owned/operated farm which provides the local community with high quality pick-your-own fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Produce is available at the farm and select local farmer's markets. Please contact us for produce availability. All crops are grown on site. You can't get fruits and vegetables any fresher! A sampling of what we have to offer and approximate date ranges are: Mid May-June Strawberries & Edible Pod Peas (sugar snap peas). Late June-July Blueberries. Late May-November Fresh Cut Flowers. Mid Sept-Mid Nov Fall Crops which includes pumpkins, broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, green beans, lima beans, winter squash, cabbage, beets, kale, collards and fall decorations to include indian corn, decorative gourds and corn stalk bundles.
• Mayne's Tree Farm - Strawberries, blackberries, pumpkins & cut your own Christmas trees, hayrides, custom made wreaths, roping, door decorations for all seasons. Fall activities include u-pick pumpkins, scarecrow making, corn maze, free hayrides October thru December.
  3420 Buckeystown Pike, Buckeystown, MD 21717. Phone: 301-662-4320. Email: info@maynestreefarm.com. Directions: click here for a . Click here for a map and directions.
  Mayne's Tree Farm Facebook page. . . Map and Driving Directions. Take Interstate 270 to Exit 31-B (Route 85); the farm is four miles south of I-270, on the right. Cornstalks, straw bales and farm tours by appointment. Christmas hayrides for pre-cut trees or cut your own Christmas trees on weekends. Accepts major credit cards most months of the year. Maynes Tree Farm Facebook page.
• Sycamore Spring Farm - blueberries, cherries, grapes, raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Spring, black), strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, Turkeys (organic, not-hormone-fed), Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, gift shop, restrooms, picnic area, pony rides, farm animals, birthday parties
  6003 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick, MD 21703. Phone: 301-788-6980. Email: SycamoreSpringFarm@gmail.com. Open: April thru December, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 8am until 8pm. Directions: From Routes 70 or 270 take 340 wets to Mt. Zion Road exit. Left at exit ramp Stop sign. Left on Elmer Derr Road. .7 mile on right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Sycamore Spring Farm Facebook page. . Family Farm Festival Weekends in October.

Harford County

• Harman's Farm Market - pumpkins, strawberries, prepicked produce, farm market, school tours
  2633 Churchville Road, Churchville, MD 21028. Phone: 410-734-7400. Email: harmansfarm@verizon.net. Open: UPDATE for 2021, Neither their website nor Facebook page mentions anything about U-pick strawberries, so I assume they have discontinued them; If you have any current information, please write me, See our website for current hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . . Picking updates: click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in May, June, July, August, September, October.Strawberries are available beginning mid to late May until second week of June; Wagon rides to the pumpkin patch occur on weekends in October. also offers a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Please visit our website to learn more.
• Lohr's Orchard - strawberries, apples, sour cherries, peaches, pumpkins, pumpkin patch, hay rides, cider
  3212 Snake Lane, Churchville, MD 21028. Phone: 410-836-2783. Email: lohrsweborders@gmail.com. Open: see their website. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. . Updates: click here for picking updates. pick your own and farm stand. ​STRAWBERRIES Mid May pick your own and pre picked. TART CHERRIES June 10th to the 15th pick your own and pre picked. PEACHES July 1st for sale at the retail stand. Pick your own, weather permitting, two weekends beginning of freestone season. APPLES Mid July through close of season. APPLE CIDER Starts approximately Sept 15-17th through end of season. PUMPKINS Start the last weekend of Sept and run through October as well as weekend hayrides to the patch and apple Orchard. ANd already-picked TOMATOES. SWEET CORN. ASSORTED VEGGIES, Starting with strawberry season and running through close of store. For our U-Pick (pick-your-own) customers, we will have a special wagon providing a scenic 5-minute ride into our beautiful orchard to the patches ($5/person prepaid minimum purchase). Harvest will be plentiful, so come back several times with your friends and neighbors. (UPDATED: June 15, 2020 JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on September 12, 2008: "I love the farm! Great for the family."
• Shaw Orchards - strawberries, cherries, blueberries, peaches, nectarines, apples, raspberries, plums, apple cider, jams, jellies, natural honey, syrups, salad dressings, apple butter, pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, grapes tomatoes, other vegetables, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, wagon rides
  5594 Norrisville Road, White Hall, MD 21161. Phone: 410-692-2429. Email: shaw@shaworchards.com. Open: Monday thru Friday 8 to 6 (8 to 5 in Nov.) Saturday 8 to 5 and closed Sunday Pick-Your-own Strawberries in Late May, early June. Pick-your-own Sweet cherries in June/July. Pick-your-own Blueberries June through August. Pick-your-own apples Friday and Saturday's in September and October. Directions: From Baltimore, I 83 North to exit 36. East on 439 to Bond Road. Left on Bond and stay straight for 6 miles to Pa. Route 24. Right (South) on Rt. 24 (Barrens Road South) for about 2 miles. Market on the Right at the Mason-Dixon-Line. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa/MasterCard, Discover. We provide a weekly e-mail service called the RipeLine with up to the minute seasonal information. Sign up by going to Shaw Orchards and click on Ripeline at the lower right of home page.  (UPDATED: October 20, 2023, JBS)

Howard County

• Gorman Farm - strawberries
  10151 Gorman Rd, Laurel\/Columbia, MD 20723. Phone: 301-908-8063. Email: info@gormanfarmscsa.com. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. . . 7 days/week, weather and berries permitting; Picking hours, during the season, are 10am-6pm on weekdays and 10am-4pm on weekends/holidays. We supply the picking buckets, no need to bring your own. Pre-Picked may also be available at the Farm Stand, based on supply. Closures may take place due to weather or being picked out. The ebb and flow of ripe berries for harvest is dependent on weather. Check Status updates before coming out to avoid disappointment.; Hours subject to change; Check status updates on their website to avoid disappointment. . Strawberry picking is a short window about 2-3 weeks only! Picking is first come first serve. facebook page. We offer pick your own in spring & CSA shares all season through late October. (UPDATED: May 26, 2022) (UPDATED: May 25, 2019) (ADDED: May 29, 2016, JBS) A visitor writes on May 26, 2022: " $7.50/pound pyo"
• Larriland Farm - apples, strawberries, blackberries, black and red raspberries, peaches, sour cherries, blueberries, vegetables.
  2415 Woodbine Road (Route 94), Lisbon, MD 21797. Phone: 301-854-6110. Email: contactus@pickyourown.com. Open: see their website. Directions: three miles south of I-70 Exit 73, near Lisbon, Maryland. Apples, blueberries, black raspberries, blackberries \(thornless\), nectarines, peaches, plums, red raspberries \(fall\), strawberries, red raspberries \(spring\), sour cherries. Vegetables: Beans \(snap\), beets, spinach \(spring\), spinach \(fall\), tomatoes, flowers, honey-local, jams-jellies. Tours and evening hayrides by appointment. October activities: straw maze, hot dogs & hamburgers & hayrides. Here\'s when the . Click here for a map and directions. or Phone: 410-442-2605. . three miles south of I-70 Exit 73, near Lisbon, Maryland. Apples, blueberries, black raspberries, blackberries (thornless), nectarines, peaches, plums, red raspberries (fall), strawberries, red raspberries (spring), sour cherries. Vegetables: Beans (snap), beets, spinach (spring), spinach (fall), tomatoes, flowers, honey-local, jams-jellies. Tours and evening hayrides by appointment. October activities: straw maze, hot dogs & hamburgers & hayrides. Here's when the crops are usually available to pick:Strawberries - early June to mid JuneTart Cherries late June - mid JulyRed Raspberries late June - late SeptemberBlack Raspberries late June - early JulyPurple Raspberries Royalty - mid JulyBlueberries late June - late August Thornless Blackberries - AugustPeaches - mid July to early September, Apples - mid August to early November.
  Comments from a visitor on June 30, 2011: "Just went there the first time last weekend --- LOTS of blueberries! GREAT!"

Prince George's County

• Miller Farms - strawberries, Fresh eggs, restrooms
  10140 Piscataway Rd, Clinton, MD 20735. Phone: 301-297-9370. Open: UPDATE for 2021, Their website says no pick-your-own in 2021, only pre-picked, but it should return next year 2022. Directions: Beltway: 495 Outerloop to Exit 7A MD-5 SBranch Avenue toward Waldorf. Merge onto MD-223 S Piscataway Road toward Clinton. Farm is about 3 miles on the left. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Miller Farms Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 301-297-9372. UPDATE for 2021, Their website says no pick-your-own in 2021, only pre-picked, but it should return next year (2022). (crop failure in 2021) May through June Saturday and Sunday. Beltway: 495 Outerloop to Exit 7A MD-5 S/Branch Avenue toward Waldorf. Merge onto MD-223 S Piscataway Road toward Clinton. Farm is about 3 miles on the left. Farm Bakery Hours: Monday through Friday 6 am to 6 pm; Saturday 7 pm to 6 pm. Sunday 7 am to 5 pm. is a 267 acre farm that has been family owned since 1840. We have a wide array of fresh fruits and crisp vegetables. In addition to our farm, we have a bakery full of delicious home baked goods and homemade ice cream, a nursery abundant with beautiful plants and flowers, mulch, firewood, pick your own, fall hayrides and much moreNote from a visitor, June 27, 2007: "Miller Farms has added Cherry Hill Farms Bakery (Famous locally for their delicious homemade doughnuts and pies) to their Country Store. Their name has been added onto the front of the building with the Bakery. Miller Farm added onto their country store to add the bakery, It is very nice. I have not been by Cherry Hill Farm, but understand that it has been sold to developers.:("

St. Mary's County

• Friendly Hall Farm - Uses natural growing practices, strawberries,
  39010 Lyon Ln, Mechanicsville, MD 20659. Phone: 301-884-5846. Email: friendlyhallfarm@gmail.com. Open: May through late June for Strawberries, but already picked crops are available through the Fall Monday through Friday 9-3 Saturday and Sunday 9-5. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . . See their website for directions. . (UPDATED: August 15, 2020 JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on May 21, 2012: "We think it's great. They have TONS of strawberries, the lady who owns it is always very friendly, they don't mind that our youngest son eats all the berries he picks and their prices are wonderful, especially for organic strawberries. They do not use pesticide or herbicides and will only use a fungicide if absolutely necessary due to very wet or very humid conditions. They are not certified organic but farm as organically as possible."
• Southern Comfort Berry Farm - strawberries, and prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  37450 Bushwood Wharf Road, Bushwood, MD 20618. Phone: 301-769-3878. Email: kari7thdistrict@aol.com. Open: from early May to early June, Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 8 am to 5 pm, closed on Sundays. Directions: From Leonardtown Route 5 north to Route 234 west \(Budds Creek Road \)to Route 242 south \(Coltons Point Road\) to rt239 \(Bushwood Wharf Road\) farm is 14 mile on right . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Southern Comfort Berry Farm Facebook page. . From Leonardtown Route 5 north to Route 234 west (Budds Creek Road )to Route 242 south (Coltons Point Road) to rt239 (Bushwood Wharf Road) farm is 1/4 mile on right Pick your own vine ripened strawberries. season usually runs from first week of May to early June . call the Berry Line. Check our berry line or web site for updates. Hay bale maze, picnic grounds, playground, farm zoo , school tours church groups. Facebook page " A family friendly outing ". (UPDATED: April 5, 2021 JBS)
• T and A Farm - strawberries, Fresh eggs, already-picked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, picnic area, farm animals, school tours
  18281 Saint Jeromes Neck Road, Dameron, MD 20628. Phone: 301-872-5003. Email: tandafarm@aol.com. Open: Call before going, trawberry picking days are Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting at 9 am; We close when the patch is picked out. Directions: Follow Route 235 south to Dameron. Take a left onto St Jeromes Neck Road. We are one mile in on the right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Strawberries start May 1 and continue to June 1; the Pumpkin Farm is open October 1 thru October 31. (UPDATED: April 5, 2021 JBS)

 

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