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Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Southern Tier of New York State 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.

Allegany County

  • Lone Maple Farm - U Pick Apples, strawberries, bakery, winery
    2001 Hawleyton Road, Binghamton, NY 13903. Phone: 607-724-6877. Email: info@lonemaplefarm.com. Click here for a map and directions.
    Lone Maple Farm Facebook page. . Weather permitting we will have U-Pick apples this fall. Please check back in September for picking times and more details We DO NOT USE PESTICIDES on our strawberries. The tractor ride to the strawberry patch is FREE. The tractor leaves from the greenhouse about every 15 minutes. Facebook page.
  • North Windsor Berries - beans, beets, blackberries, cucumbers, onions, peas, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries (Autumn, red), summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, school tours
    1609 NY Rte 79, Windsor, NY 13865. Phone: 607-655-2074. Email: NWBLTitus@aol.com. Open: Sunday Through Saturday 9am to 6pm from mid June to October 31st; Please see website for additional seasonal hours. Directions: From Binghamton: 17 East to Exit 79. Make a left off from exit. Farm is 1.5 miles on the Right. From Deposit: 17 West to exit 79. Make a right off from the exit. Go to the light and make a left. Farm is 1 mile on the right. From Sydney: Take 88 West to Exit 6 Harpursville. Make a left off the exit onto rte 79. Farm is approximately 9 miles on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. North Windsor Berries . . Payment: cash, check, credit or debit ($15 minimum for cards). Children are allowed in fields but MUST be accompanied by an adult. U Pick Fruit and Vegetables include Berries, Green Beans, Peas, Summer Squash, Peppers, Onions, Tomato's, Beets, Kale, Collard Greens, Cucumbers, Brussel Sprouts and More.

Chemung County

  • Hydro-berry Farms - strawberries, Raspberries, other vegetables,
    2131 McDowell Road, Lockwood, NY 14859. Phone: 607-598-7232. Open: July-October, on Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, closed Sunday. Directions: I-86 to exit 59 Chemung NY. Go north onto Wyncoop Creek road about 6.8 miles make left on to McDowell Road first place on left. Follow signs. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Crops are usually available in May, June, July, August, September, October. Stand and pick, over 15,000 plants Hydroponically grown Strawberries, veggies, herbs. All Hydroponically grown.. stand and pick.. tasty and good for you.

Schuyler County

  • Mangus Farms - raspberries (black), Strawberries, Red Raspberries and Blueberries, picnic area, honey from hives on the farm
    3710 Main Street, Burdett, NY 14818. Phone: 607-546-9191. Open: Monday - Saturday 8 am to 6 pm; closed on Sunday, Third week June - third week July;Call ahead for availability. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . We are a U-PICK berry farm but we also offer fresh picked berries and homemade baked goods at our farm store. We pick/U-pick. Fruits to pick: strawberries, black and red raspberries, blueberries. If you're looking to place a picked order please call ahead for availability. Our Farm Store offers: picked in season fruit, home baked pies, jams, jellies and baked goods. We also sell a variety of jams, jellies, whole fruit freezer pops and more!
  • Silver Queen Farm - apples, asparagus, cucumbers, nectarines, peas, peaches, peppers, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, prepicked produce
    5286 Stillwell Road, Trumansburg, NY 14886. Phone: 607-387-6502. Email: Gallupgoodnews@aol.com. Open: Every day 8 am to 8 pm. Directions: And for a map to our farm, . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
    Silver Queen Farm Facebook page. . Fax: 607 387 9794. . Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, October. 97 acre farm with over 6 acres of strawberries (15 varieties), 2 acres of raspberries (13 varieties), 2 acre Peach orchard (10 varieties) and 2 acre Apple orchard (15 varieties). Farm stand featuring large selection of prepicked fruits and vegetables. All in a very scenic, informal setting with children and families in mind. The farm is open for u-pick strawberries from June-July, and we have a self-serve stand for sweet corn season. We also sell our produce at the Trumansburg Farmer's Market as well as area restaurants such as Hazelnut Kitchen, Northstar and Falls Tavern. We are now renting out our big, beautiful barn for weddings, birthdays, parties, and any other events you can think of, so check out our pricing here. In 2019 U-pick strawberries are $2.50/lb. Facebook page. If there is heavy rain, there will be a "self-serve" station set up near the barn.
  • Wickham Farms - PYO strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, apples and pumpkins.
    4045 Church Street, Burdett, NY 14818. Phone: 607-546-7842. Open: for Asparagus in spring, call for availability. Click here for a map and directions.
    Wickham Farms Facebook page. . Open Open for berries in mid June., from 8am-7pm. Open July 8am-Noon for raspberries, strawberries, asparagus. Group Tours and Hayrides by appointment. Hayrides open to the general public on Saturdays in September and Oct. Facebook page.

Steuben County

  • Schultheis Strawberries - strawberries, U-pick or already picked
    Meadowbrook Road, Arkport, NY 14807. Phone: 607-295-7111. Open: typically Saturday and Sunday from 7 am to 5 pm and Monday to Friday from 7 am to 7 pm; late May and June; call or see their Facebook page before you go. Directions: The pick your own stand is located on Meadowbrook Road in Arkport or you can access it across from the Village Cafe on Route 36.There is a . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: cash or check only. Schultheis Strawberries Their berries are popular with their customers. map to the Schultheis PYO farm here. Their Prepicked stand is located at 67 West Avenue in Arkport, NY. Their pick your own prices are usually the best in the area. A visitor writes on June 12, 2022: "Strawberries $3/ quart PYO or $22/flat (8 quarts) PYO; $5/ quart pre-picked "
  • Stan Rathbun U-Pick Strawberries - strawberries
    28 University Avenue, North Cohocton, NY 14808. Phone: 585-534-5163. Email: pprathbun@aol.com. Click here for a map and directions. .

Tioga County

  • Maple Tree Gardens - Strawberries, beans, peas, chili peppers
    Rt 96, Owego, NY 13827. Phone: 607-687-4959. Click here for a map and directions. Open UPDATE for 2021, 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 June-August, daily 10-6. 100 yards from intersection of Rts 38 & 96 .
  • Terry's Berry Farm - CERTIFIED ORGANIC, Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries
    284 Church St., Barton, NY 13734. Phone: 607-699-7933. Email: teri111@verizon.net. Open: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm, and Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 pm to 7 pm. Click here for a map and directions. . Seek our Facebook page for updates. We are Certified Organic by NOFA-NY LLC started in 2016! We raise all our produce and berries by organic methods. Call the berry line at for specifics on the day. In 2020, they did have PYO, despite the pandemic; with appointments taken online. Prices in 2020 were $3/lb for berries that you pick; $6/lb for berries we pick. Theydo accept pre-orders. All our berries are certified organic.

 

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)