2024 Huntsville and northern Alabama Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org
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Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Huntsville and northern Alabama 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 a state have strawberries farms 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.
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Dekalb County
Gilbert Strawberry Farm - Strawberries Hwy 40 East, Henagar, AL 35978. Phone: (256) 657-5581. Open: Monday to Saturday, 7 am to until dusk. Directions: approximately 14 mi. east of the Henagar red light on Hwy 40 E, Co Rd 134. Click here for a map and directions. approximately 1/4 mi. east of the Henagar red light on Hwy 40 E, Co Rd 134 We pick April 20 to May then we open for U-Pick in June.
Talley's Farm - pumpkins, strawberries, tomatoes, U-pick and already picked, school tours 460 County Road 129, Crossville, AL 35962. Phone: 256-303-8888. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 7 am to 6 pm, April 10 to October 31. Directions: Located 1 mile off Highway 75 between Albertville and Geraldine. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Strawberries: April 10 to June 10Notes: Strawberries $8 u-pick $10 we-pick, potatoes, melons, peaches, vegetables, and autumn decorations. (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS)
Lawrence County
LouAllen Farms - strawberries 1974 County Road 177, Moulton, AL 35650. Phone: 256-974-0078. Email: loualllw@yahoo.com. Open: July 1 through September 1 from 7 AM to 7 pm Monday through Saturday. Directions: From Moulton, go West on Court Street \(County Road 460\) 2.5 miles, turn onto County Road 177, and go 1 mile to orchard on your left.Typical . Click here for a map and directions. LouAllen Farms Facebook page. . Alternate phone: 256-898-4156 (cell) From Moulton, go West on Court Street (County Road 460) 2.5 miles, turn onto County Road 177, and go 1 mile to orchard on your left.Typical crops: Peaches, sweet corn and field corn, field peas, watermelons, green beans, okra If you've ever wanted to pick your own vine-ripened , or fill a basket with tree-ripened peaches, or pick your own perfect watermelon, we would love to have you visit us. There's no better way to appreciate the value of homegrown produce than to harvest it yourself. Feel free to bring your children and let them experience nature, hands-on!! Please call or email for detailed information concerning what's in season and current availability. (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS)
Madison County
Brown Farms - strawberries, U-pick and already picked, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food 384 Walnut Grove Road, New Market, AL 35761. Phone: 256-828-0710. Open: Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 6, Sunday, 12 to 6 weather permitting; strawberries in April and May,. Directions: From Huntsville take Hwy 231 North Hazel Green, turn right at traffic light onto Joe Quick Rd then left on walnut Grove Road. Farm is on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS)
Turner Farms - Strawberries 9706 Wall-Triana Highway, Harvest, AL 35749. Phone: 256-722-9077. Email: jbt722@aol.com. Open: May 1 through November 1 from 9 AM until 5 pm, Monday through Saturday. Directions: From Huntsville, AL take Highway 53 North approximately 12 miles. Turn left onto Jim McKlemore Road. At second stop sign, turn right onto Wall-Triana Hwy. Turn left at 1st house on left \(# 9706\). Notes: Other harvested . Click here for a map and directions. Turner FarmsFax: 256-722-9037 From Huntsville, AL take Highway 53 North approximately 12 miles. Turn left onto Jim McKlemore Road. At second stop sign, turn right onto Wall-Triana Hwy. Turn left at 1st house on left (# 9706). Notes: Other harvested crops available at our farm market: green beans, sweet corn, purple hull peas, squash, tomatoes, peppers, turnip greens, kale, mustard, collards, broccoli, cauliflower. (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS)
Marshall County
Maggie Valley Berry Patch and Farms - blackberries, strawberries, school tours, events at your location (call for info) 458 Babe Wright Road, Grant, AL 35747. Phone: 256-728-2723. Email: hog7@charter.net. Open: See our website or call for current hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, SFMNP Vouchers. Maggie Valley Berry Patch and Farms Alternate Phone: 256-738-7958 Strawberries should be available about April 20 until May 30; Blackberries are available June 10 until about August; Muscadines are available from late August until OctoberNotes: We are available for special events such as garden clubs, church or school groups. Call for information. See us on facebook for regular updates
Phillips Farms - strawberries, already-picked produce 1825 Bethel Church Road, Guntersville, AL 35976. Phone: 256-572-4746. Email: bdphillips03@netzero.net. Open: Strawberries: Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8 am to 7 pm; from May 1, 2010 thru June 30, 2010. Directions: From Guntersville via highway 69 turn right onto Georgia Mountain Road in Warrenton. Go 2.3 miles turn left onto Bethel Church Road. Farm is first on the right. From Arab via Highway 69 turn left onto Georgia Mountain Road before going down the mountain. Turn right onto Bethel Church Road. Go 1.8 miles and farm will be on the left. Follow signs from highway. For a map to our farm, . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, WIC Vouchers, SFMNP Vouchers. Strawberries: April 20 to June 20
Morgan County
E & J Farms - peppers, summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, 63 Parks Chapel Rd, Lacey\'s Spring, AL 35754. Phone: (256) 326-8610. Email: edwardsmith1731@att.net. Open: Monday - Saturday, from 8:38 am to 5:00, April to June 1 and the July 1 to August 15. Directions: We are one mile south of the Tennessee River Bridge on Highway 231, located on the East side of the road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Alternate Phone: (256) 683-4544 Strawberry season is usually the middle of April through the end of May and our other produce is usually available around July 1 through the middle of August; Everything depends on the weather;(UPDATED: July 30, 2018)
Kenneth Golden Farms - beans, broad beans, broccoli, corn (sweet), melons, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, 173 Bates Road, Eva, AL 35621. Phone: 256-297-0536. Email: kgfarms30@yahoo.com. Open: Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 7 pm, May 1 to October 31. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Strawberries: May 1 to June 15
Reeves Peach Farm - Strawberries, pumpkins, tomatoes 447 Hwy 36E, Hartselle, AL 35640. Phone: (256) 773-9479. Open: April 1-October 31, Daily, 8 am to 7 pm. Directions: Hwy 36 East three quarters of a mile east of I-65 \(exit 328\), . Click here for a map and directions. Reeves Peach Farm Facebook page. Hwy 36 East three quarters of a mile east of I-65 (exit 328), Strawberry season starts late April. Our strawberries are picked fresh each day and we also have Pick-Your-Own. We harvest each peach variety over a 7-10 day period. This allows for us to harvest peaches continuously for about 15 weeks.Strawberries are harvested from around April 15th until June 10th. The varieties we grow are Chandler and Camarosa. We have berries available at our market, but we also allow customers to pick their own. We also grow plums, watermelon, cantaloupes, tomatoes, squash, sweet corn and other vegetables. Please watch our Facebook page or subscribe to our newsletter for other crop ripening notifications. Strawberry season starts late April, and goes through May. Our strawberries are picked fresh each day and we also have Pick-Your-Own. (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS)
Vest U Pick It - beans, broccoli, cucumbers, eggplants, peas, peppers, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, other vegetables, Honey from hives on the farm, U-pick and already picked, farm market 3181 Eva Road, Eva, AL 35621. Phone: 256-796-2070. Open: Monday to Saturday 7 am to 5 pm Mid April Thursday Mid November. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, SFMNP Vouchers. Vest U Pick It (UPDATED: July 15, 2016, JBS)
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:
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!
Leave
early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
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.
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
Grasp the stem just above the berry between the
forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.
With the stem broken about one-half inch from
the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.
Repeat these operations using both hands until
each holds 3 or 4 berries.
Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into
your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
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:
Be careful that your feet and knees do not
damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of the row.
Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part
the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.
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.
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.
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.
For interesting and fun strawberry facts and
trivia from the California Strawberry Commission,
click
here!
When you get home
DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them. Washing
makes them more prone to spoiling.
Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting
berries
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.
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.
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.
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