2024 Long Island, New York Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Long Island, New York 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.

Suffolk County

• Anderson Farms - PYO strawberries (in June)
  1890 Roanoke Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901. Phone: 631-727-1129. Click here for a map and directions. . Please no calls after 10 pm EST or before 8 am (this is both a home and business line) (UPDATED: June 05, 2012, by a visitor)
• Condzella's Farm Stand - strawberries,
  6233 North Country Road, wading river, NY . Phone: 631-929-5058. Open: 10 am to 5 pm daily, beginning May 30. Directions: Route 25A east of William Floyd Parkway, Wading River. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Condzella's Farm Stand Facebook page. . They are also a farm market and a CSA. Summer CSA Sign-up is happening now. Click here for CSA Information. Fresh picked (not PYO) Asparagus Season every Spring (April-May)! We pick the asparagus each morning and have it available for purchase in our barn. Fresh-picked asparagus not only tastes better but has a much higher nutritional content than what you will find in the grocery store.
  Comments from a visitor on June 18, 2011: "While the address is on North Country, the actual entrance was found on the south side of the farm, on 25A. Nice people, and we enjoyed both picking the strawberries and making jam out of them when we got home."
  Comments from a visitor on June 07, 2011: "We visited this farm on Sunday, June 5, 2011 and had a great time. The woman at the farmstand on 25A was very friendly, told us to drive through the field to get to the pick-your-own section. The other lady took the time to show my 6-yr-old how to pick and told her to eat as many berries as she wanted, LOL. Only a few rows were ready to pick this early in the season, but there were plenty, and they are delicious. We recommend this farm! Note that street address listed is their house address. Farm stand and PYO is on 25A across from CVS."
  Comments from a visitor on June 23, 2009: "love it, very quaint and cute; asparagus farm mostly, also have peas and pyo strawberries"
• Fritz Lewin Farms - apples, broad beans, corn (sweet), eggplants, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, Other fruit or veg, and prepicked produce
  1989 Sound Avenue, Baiting Hollow, NY 11933. Phone: 631-727-3346. Directions: Take exit 71 off the l.i.e \(Long Island Expressway\) Make left off the exit onto Edwards Ave. Go straight down Edwards Ave. about 4 miles till you get to the corner of Sound Avenue, make left onto Sound Ave. then we are 14 mile down on the left side. \(BIG RED BARN\) . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . 8 am to 4 pm for pick your own and 8 am to 6 pm for the farm stand; 7 days a week but CALL BEFORE YOU GO - if crops aren't ready, they appear to close for the day. Take exit 71 off the l.i.e (Long Island Expressway) Make left off the exit onto Edwards Ave. Go straight down Edwards Ave. about 4 miles till you get to the corner of Sound Avenue, make left onto Sound Ave. then we are 1/4 mile down on the left side. (BIG RED BARN) See comments about this farm here!
• Glover Farms - pumpkins, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  633 Victory Avenue, Brookhaven, NY 11719. Phone: 631-286-7876. Email: gglovercpa@aol.com. Open: for strawberries starting early June then every day from 10 am to 6 pm; weather permitting as long as berries last. Directions: If you are using Google use 633 County road 56 , Brookhaven, NY 11719 as the address. For MapQuest use 633 Victory Road 11719. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Glover Farms Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 631-332-2012. . 10 acre corn maze, large and small gourds, corn stalks, and straw bales. Hay rides , Farm animals, Roasted corn, Lemonade, other foods and snacks, Corn and Pumpkin giant slingshots and other activities on Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays.
• Hank's Farm Stand and Pumpkintown - apples, strawberries, peaches, Raspberries & Blackberries, corn maze, pumpkins, hay rides, pony rides,
  149 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, NY 11976. Phone: 631-726-4667. Email: info@haydenspeachorchard.com. Open: for U-pick strawberries June; fresh produce July to mid-September, September 12th to November 1st from 9:30am to 6pm; PUMPKIN PICKING: 7 DAYS A WEEK; MAZE PARK: WEEKENDS and HOLIDAYS 914, 915, 923, 1012 APPLE PICKING: WEEKENDS and HOLIDAYS 914, 915, 923, 1012. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Hank's Farm Stand and Pumpkintown Facebook page. . for U-pick strawberries (June); fresh produce July to mid-September, September 12th to November 1st from 9:30am to 6pm; PUMPKIN PICKING: 7 DAYS A WEEK; MAZE PARK: WEEKENDS and HOLIDAYS (9/14, 9/15, 9/23, 10/12) APPLE PICKING: WEEKENDS and HOLIDAYS (9/14, 9/15, 9/23, 10/12). Pick-Your-Own: STRAWBERRIES June - July; RASPBERRIES Mid July - Early Sept. and BLACKBERRIES August - Early to Mid Sept. They also have pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, mums, straw bales, baked goods, apples. They also feature a Maze Quest Maze, super sweet corn, roasted corn, and family fall fun. Hank's Pumpkintown has Pumpkin Picking, Apple Picking, Corn Mazes, Wagon Rides, Tractor Train Rides, Giant Slides, Games, Playgrounds and more. Our Market has Freshly Baked Pies, Cookies, Cupcakes, Candy Apples, Cider Donuts & much more. Be sure to visit the Corn Shed for the Best Roasted Corn too! FREE OFF ROAD PARKING: To avoid ticketing, please park off the road! ​We have 2 off road parking fields at the west end of the property on both sides of the road. (UPDATED: July 02, 2019, JBS)
• Hodun Farms - strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants,
  4070 Middle Country Road, Calverton, NY . Phone: 631-369-3533. Email: hodunfarms@optonline.net. Open: June-October 7 days a week 8 am to 6 pm; be sure to call or email before going. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . In June we have pick your own strawberries. From August to October, we have pick your own tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant (these pick by the bushel only).
• Lewin Farms - apples, blackberries, blueberries, eggplants, nectarines, peaches, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (yellow), raspberries (black), strawberries, tomatoes,
  812 Sound Avenue, Wading River, NY 11792. Phone: 631-929-4327. Open: PYO fields open until 4:30pm , 9 am to 4:30 pm Subject to season and availability, weather permitting; All PYO usually open both weekend days, call ahead, especially for weekdays, depends on crop and year; Farm stand is open everyday except Tuesday 9-5pm. Directions: LIE exit 68 North William Floyd Parkway, right to 25A, 3 lights, Left onto Sound Avenue, 1 mile on right 4 miles to Sound Ave., 14 mile on left - Note, a visitor says the pick your own apples are on Fresh Pond Avenue, not Sound Avenue. The farm is huge and apparently covers several towns, including Calverton and Wading river. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Lewin Farms Facebook page. . PYO fields open until 4:30pm , 9 am to 4:30 pm Subject to season and availability, weather permitting; All PYO usually open both weekend days, call ahead, especially for weekdays, depends on crop and year; Farm stand is open everyday (except Tuesday) 9-5pm. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. LIE exit 68 North William Floyd Parkway, right to 25A, 3 lights, Left onto Sound Avenue, 1 mile on right 4 miles to Sound Ave., 1/4 mile on left - Note, a visitor says the pick your own apples are on Fresh Pond Avenue, not Sound Avenue. The farm is huge and apparently covers several towns, including Calverton and Wading river. From Late July-October we have our own Roasted Corn for sale on the weekends at the farm stand. We were the first pick your own farm on Long Island, and we are continuing this tradition with pick your own strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, apples, corn maze, pumpkins and cut your own Christmas trees. They also carry a full line of farm fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables at their huge farmstand. Facebook page. Typical dates for PYO are: Strawberries in June, Blueberries in July; Peaches from Middle of July through the middle of September, Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant in late August through late October, Apples from late August through late October, Pumpkins from the end of September through October, and Christmas trees from day after Thanksgiving to Christmas. Farm stand opens Memorial Day Weekend and the normal business hours for farm market store are 9 am to 5 pm for Spring, Summer and into October. November (closes at 4pm). Our farm stand offers a full line of fresh fruits and vegetables. Many of these are grown on our farm. We also get other local Long Island produce and honey from nearby farms to bring you the freshest quality locally grown produce possible. They now have an ATM machine in the farm stand for your convenience.
  Comments from a visitor on June 13, 2011: "After calling both May's and Lewin's, I found that neither farm is offering pick-your-own strawberries this year, although May's is selling strawberries at their stand."/span>See comments about this farm here!
• May's Farm Stand - strawberries, peas, peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins, string beans, eggplants,
  6361 Route 25A, Wading River, NY 11792. Phone: 631-929-6654. Email: info@maysfarmny.com. Open: 9 am to 6 pm, daily May-October. Directions: Mays Farm is located on Rt. 25A in Wading River, about 1 mile east of William Floyd Parkway. Take the LIE \(Rt. 495\) to exit 68 William Floyd Parkway north , or take Sunrise Highway to exit 58 north William Floyd Parkway. Go north on William Floyd Parkway to the end \(RT. 25A\) Turn right on Rt. 25A and we are one mile up on the right hand side. U-pick strawberries in late May and June; and peas start in late June; peppers, tomatoes, string beans and eggplant August and September; fresh farm produce, call to confirm. Come and spend a few hours at the farm with your family. Go out into our pumpkin patch and find the perfect pumpkin. We offer tractor drawn hayrides and challenge you to try to find your way through May\'s Amazing Corn Maze. In our fields, we grow many varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables, including strawberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, melons, cucumbers, squash, string beans, pumpkins, and much more. We sell these at our farm stand 7 days a week, as well as at two local farmers markets from July through October. One of these is located in Port Jefferson, at the ferry parking lot on Thursdays from 10-4. The other is in Patchogue, on Montauk Highway, 500 feet west of RT. 112. This market is located in the 7-11 parking lot, on the north side of the street on Fridays from 8-1. We accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program Checks, as well as cash, at both farmers markets. In June we . Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate Phone: 631-965-3391. . Mays Farm is located on Rt. 25A in Wading River, about 1 mile east of William Floyd Parkway. Take the LIE (Rt. 495) to exit 68 William Floyd Parkway north , or take Sunrise Highway to exit 58 north William Floyd Parkway. Go north on William Floyd Parkway to the end (RT. 25A) Turn right on Rt. 25A and we are one mile up on the right hand side. U-pick strawberries in late May and June; and peas start in late June; peppers, tomatoes, string beans and eggplant August and September; fresh farm produce, call to confirm. Come and spend a few hours at the farm with your family. Go out into our pumpkin patch and find the perfect pumpkin. We offer tractor drawn hayrides and challenge you to try to find your way through May's Amazing Corn Maze. In our fields, we grow many varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables, including strawberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, melons, cucumbers, squash, string beans, pumpkins, and much more. We sell these at our farm stand 7 days a week, as well as at two local farmers markets from July through October. One of these is located in Port Jefferson, at the ferry parking lot on Thursdays from 10-4. The other is in Patchogue, on Montauk Highway, 500 feet west of RT. 112. This market is located in the 7-11 parking lot, on the north side of the street on Fridays from 8-1. We accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program Checks, as well as cash, at both farmers markets. In June we open our fields for Strawberry and Sweet Pea Picking In October, we feature Pumpkin Picking, along with a corn maze, hayrides, pony rides and much more.
  Comments from a visitor on June 13, 2011: "After calling both May's and Lewin's, I found that neither farm is offering pick-your-own strawberries this year, although May's is selling strawberries at their stand.
• Patty's Berries & Bunches - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (yellow), raspberries (Spring, yellow), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), raspberries (Autumn, black), strawberries, other vegetables, Other fruit or veg, Honey from hives on the farm, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, school tours
  Mattituck, 11951, Mattituck, NY 11952. Phone: 631 298 4679. Email: pattysberriesandbunches@gmail.com. Open: Seven Days a week from 9 am to 6 pm; You Pick ends at 5:30 pm. Directions: From New York City and points west: Take the LIE \(495\) east to exit 71. Take a left on Edwards Avenue and continue North \(straight\) for 3.8 miles. Take a right on Sound Avenue. Continue East on Sound Avenue for 10 miles. From Orient, Greenport and points east: Travel west on Route 48 to our Sound Avenue Mattituck location \(approximately 25 miles from Orient Point\). . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, AmEx.
  Patty's Berries & Bunches Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 631 655 7996. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. From New York City and points west: Take the LIE (495) east to exit 71. Take a left on Edwards Avenue and continue North (straight) for 3.8 miles. Take a right on Sound Avenue. Continue East on Sound Avenue for 10 miles. From Orient, Greenport and points east: Travel west on Route 48 to our Sound Avenue Mattituck location (approximately 25 miles from Orient Point). Strawberries (June), Blueberries (July/August), Raspberries (July, Middle August), Blackberries (August), Fall Raspberries (Late August/September), Fresh Cut Bunches (June/September). We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. Facebook page. U-Pick: and ready picked; Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries. Flowers: Peonies, Dahlias, Sunflowers, Ornamental and more, also available for weddings and Events. Produce Stand: Seasonal Ice Cream, Cider, Baked Goods, Honey, Jams and more. New Activities: Yard ART, Tours, Live Music and a Variety of Classes. See comments about this farm here!
• Ringhoff Farms - strawberries, U-pick and already picked
  62 Belleview Avenue, Center Moriches, NY 11941. Phone: 631-909-3439. Open: Seven days a week from 10am to 5pm. Directions: From Montauk highway in Center Moriches, head south on Belleview Avenue a few blocks. There are signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Alternate Phone: 516-768-6774. The strawberries are in and taste deliciously sweet! $3.50/QT for Pick your own $4.50/QT for Already picked. (ADDED: May 30, 2015)
• Rottkamp's Fox Hollow Farm - PYO strawberries, pumpkins.
  143 Sound Avenue, Calverton, NY 11933. Phone: 631-727-1786. Open: 9 am to 5:30 pm Thur. Click here for a map and directions. 4Rottkamp's Fox Hollow Farm -Tue. early June-Oct. 31. We have Our own sweet corn, lettuce, fruits, tomatoes, cakes, beans, summer and fall squash, yellow baby watermelons, pumpkins, corn stalks, corn maze, U-Pick pumpkins in October; U-Pick strawberries in June. (UPDATED: September 6, 2023, JBS)
• Wickham's Fruit Farm - PYO strawberries, apples, raspberries, cherries, peaches, pumpkins
  Route 25, Cutchogue, NY 11935. Phone: 631-734-6441. Email: freddyshouse@aol.com. Open: picking hours are 9am to 4pm Monday-Saturday, closed on Sundays. Directions: Take the Long Island Expressway east to the last exit \(73\). Continue east on Route 58 \(which becomes Route 25\) for 14 miles \(no turns\). Wickham\'s Fruit Farm is on the right hand side after the red light in Cutchogue. Roadside market offers a large variety of fresh produce as well as other food items such as fresh pressed cider, pies, etc. Group tours of the farm can be arranged. Also hayrides, Picnic area, Apple and pumpkin picking. Note: U-Pick is . Click here for a map and directions.
  Wickham's Fruit Farm Facebook page. . Take the Long Island Expressway east to the last exit (73). Continue east on Route 58 (which becomes Route 25) for 14 miles (no turns). is on the right hand side after the red light in Cutchogue. Roadside market offers a large variety of fresh produce as well as other food items such as fresh pressed cider, pies, etc. Group tours of the farm can be arranged. Also hayrides, Picnic area, Apple and pumpkin picking. Note: U-Pick is open to MEMBERS ONLY; To join, fill in the form & bring it with you or come to Wickham's & fill in the form. Membership is $20 per family per year. Roadside market offers a large variety of fresh produce as well as other food items such as fresh pressed cider, pies, etc. Group tours of the farm can be arranged. Also hayrides, 7-acre corn maze, Picnic area, Apple and pumpkin picking. picking hours are 9am to 4pm Monday to Saturday, closed on Sundays. Take the Long Island Expressway east to the last exit (73). Continue east on Route 58 (which becomes Route 25) for 14 miles (no turns). is on the right hand side after the red light in Cutchogue. Facebook page. They are about 90 miles east of New York City, on Long Island. Wickham's fruit is grown on some of the oldest continually cultivated land in the country, much of the farm dating from 1661. It is one of the largest farms on the North Fork, approximately 300 acres, of which 200 acres are in fruit, all of which is retailed at the farm. The emphasis is on fruit of the highest quality, and all fruit sold is guaranteed. The retail market is open usually from May through December from Monday through Saturday. Wickham's is closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas. Typical harvest dates are:Strawberries starting in early June. Cherries in early (cherry U-Pick: 10 am to 4 pm; Last Entry: 3:30 pm).Blueberries and Blackberries in July and August. Peaches in August.Pumpkins and Apples in October. PLEASE NOTE THAT NO PETS ARE ALLOWED IN THE ORCHARD . RULES: PLEASE Use only the containers we provide. NO PERSONAL BAGS, PLASTICS, etc ARE ALLOWED. Windy Acres - Apples, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, vegetables, peaches, nectarines, pumpkin patch (pick in the field), corn maze, petting zoo, horse drawn hay rides3810 Middle Country Rd, Calverton, NY 11933. Phone: (631) 727-4554. every day, from 9 am to 6 pm. See updates on Windy Acres Farm Facebook page. Birthday parties!Windy Acres is a family owned and run farm. the owner is a 4th generation farmer and her farm supplies local stores with her fresh produce. In the Spring we offer a variety of U-pick items starting with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Then going into the summer you can pick fresh tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. Going into the fall you can pick apples and pumpkins. See comments about this farm here!

 

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