2024 Hartford and Surrounding Connecticut Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Hartford and Surrounding Connecticut 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.

Hartford County

• Brown's Harvest - pumpkins, strawberries, sunflowers, Fresh eggs, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, face painting, birthday parties, school tours, group reservations
  1911 Poquonock Ave, Windsor, CT 6095. Phone: 860-683-0266. Email: info@brownsharvest.com. Open: Daily, Seasonally, 10am to 6pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Brown's Harvest Facebook page. . Fax: 860-683-0267. . (UPDATED: May 31, 2014, from the CTgovag)
• Dondero Orchards, LLC - Rhubarb, apples, peaches, plums, blueberries, black raspberries & strawberries, pears, flowers, pumpkins, tomatoes & lettuce.
  529 Woodland Street, South Glastonbury, CT 6073. Phone: (860) 659-0294. Email: DonderoOrchards@cox.net. Open: see their website for dates, hours and availability. Click here for a map and directions.
  Dondero Orchards, LLC Facebook page. . Alternate phone: (860) 633-2375. . Dondero Orchards Facebook page. During the season, we offer pick your own Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Peaches, Apples, Pears, Plums, Lettuce, Peas and more! We also grow more fruit, vegetables & herbs. Their bakery was voted BEST in CT for our Arugula Pesto, Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, Bread and Butter Pickles, Green Tomato Relish! CT Specialty Food Association held the competition. We're celebrating 101 years! Follow us for more info about our farm dinners in the summer and family events throughout the year, plus specials on our produce and products.
• Dondero Orchards, LLC Mountain View Farms - strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, plums, apples, pears, peppers, eggplant and tomatoes
  3582 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury, CT 6033. Phone: 860-430-2122. Email: DonderoOrchards@cox.net. Open: see their website for dates, hours and availability. Click here for a map and directions.
  Dondero Orchards, LLC Mountain View Farms Facebook page. . We also grow more fruit, vegetables & herbs. Hebron Avenue farm is 3 years strong this year and growing in leaps and bounds! Dondero Orchards Facebook page. During the season, we will offer pick your own strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, plums, MacIntosh, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Macoun and Cortland Apples, Bartlett and Bosc Pears, Peppers, Egg Plant and Tomatoes.
• Dzen Blueberry Hill and Strawberry Hill - Pick-your-own strawberries, blueberries, and Christmas trees
  87 Barber Hill Road, East Windsor\/South Windsor line, CT 6016. Phone: 860-648-1355. Click here for a map and directions. . Fresh picked available. (UPDATED: May 31, 2014, from the CTgov website)
• Dzen Brothers Tree Farm - blueberries, strawberries, Christmas trees
  215 Barber Hill Road, South Windsor, CT 6074. Phone: (860) 648-2233. Email: dzentree@aol.com. Click here for a map and directions.
  Dzen Brothers Tree Farm Facebook page. . Fax: (860) 648-9065. We offer PYO blueberries in June and PYO red raspberries in June and July (call to confirm the latter). We offer cut your own Christmas trees in December. Visit our website at for more details. Dzen Tree Farm Facebook page.
• Gigi's Native Produce - strawberries
  48 Shaker Road (Route 220), Enfield, CT 6082. Phone: (860) 881-8297. Open: 8 am to 7 pm, 7 days a week. Click here for a map and directions. . Ready picked or PYO (June). Open Also a roadside stand featuring homemade Rebecca's Pies, herbs, and native ready picked fruits and vegetables (July - September).
• Rose's Berry Farm at Wickham Hill - strawberries, pumpkins & Christmas trees
  1200 Hebron Avenue (Rt 94), Glastonbury, CT 6033. Phone: (860) 633-7467. Email: rosesblues@cox.net. Click here for a map and directions. Fax: (860) 657-3062. . PYO and pre-picked strawberries (June). Stand features flowers, native fruits and produce, cider, mums, farm-made pies and baked goods (June - October). Children welcome. Call for seasonal hours. Exit 8 off Rte 2, Route 94 east approximately 2 miles.
• Rose's Berry Farm LLC - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, blackberries, blueberries, pears, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), strawberries, U-pick and already picked, farm market, gift shop, picnic area, school tours, Christmas Trees
  295 Matson Hill Rd, S. Glastonbury, CT 6073. Phone: 860-633-7467. Email: rosesblues@cox.net. Open: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays 8 am to 5 pm, Thursdays 8 am to 8 pm and Sundays 9 am to 5 pm; Breakfast with a View on Sundays only 8:30 am to 1 pm, hours of operation are ALWAYS subject to change due to weather conditions and crop availability. Directions: From Route 2 East take exit 7. This is Route 17 South. Follow 17S for 4 miles. At the third light take a left. Follow Hopewell Rd for about a mile till the road forks. Bear Right onto Matson Hill Road. The farm is on the left at the top of the hill. Directions from other areas available on our website . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Rose's Berry Farm LLC Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 860-657-3119. Fax: 860-657-3062. . . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. We use integrated pest management practices. Pick-Your-Own Blueberries- (July-August)Pick-Your-Own Raspberries- (1st Season June-July) (2nd Season Mid August- Mid September)Apples- (September-October).
• Starvish Farm - strawberries,
  Pleasant Road, Enfield, CT 6082. Phone: 860 623-3473. Email: farmfriend@juno.com. Open: every day from 8 am to 5 pm, weather permitting; Check Facebook page for updates; into July, late varieties will extend the picking season. Directions: From I-91, take Exit 45. Drive north on route 5, take a left on Pleasant Road \(not Pleasant Street, which is entirely different\). The farm is about 12 mile on left. Look for signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Starvish Farm Facebook page. . From I-91, take Exit 45. Drive north on route 5, take a left on Pleasant Road (not Pleasant Street, which is entirely different). The farm is about 1/2 mile on left. Look for signs. Strawberries are typically available from :ay 30 to July 1.
• Tryon's Farm - strawberries, pumpkins
  Tryon Street, South Glastonbury, CT 6073. Phone: (860) 657-3744. Click here for a map and directions. Fax: (860) 659-1261. PYO strawberries across from Dug Road on Tryon Street. PYO pumpkins at 999 Main Street at rear of the farm stand.

Tolland County

• Hurst Farm - UPDATE for 2019, The owner tells me they no longer have Pick-Your-Own, but they still have a farm stand and sell already picked strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, local honey
  746 East Street, Andover, CT 6232. Phone: (860) 646-6536. Email: Hurstfarm@sbcglobal.net. Click here for a map and directions. . . Prepicked strawberries, raspberries, blueberries available. We don't use any insecticides & use our team of oxen instead of tractors most of the time. Hayrides in the fall. Country store open daily!
• Pesce's Farm - strawberries
  66 Hebron Road, Bolton, CT 6043. Phone: (860) 643-5712. Directions: Located in the rolling hills of Eastern CT specializing in pick-your-own strawberries. Click here for a map and directions. . PYO - Pre-picked available. Wholesale and retail sales. Enjoyable picking in the cool climate of the Bolton hills. This is a 75 acre farm . The Pesce family has been providing their community with the finest and freshest native produce since 1940. The farm also provides many other seasonal favorites including blueberries, pears, peaches, lettuce, cucumber, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, pumpkins and gourds. Please call or check back here for updated hours of operation as this may change seasonally.
• Pumpkin Paul's Farm - - pumpkins, strawberries, sugar snap peas
  Route 195, Storrs, CT 6268. Phone: (860) 429-6962. Email: pumpkinpaul@sbcglobal.net. Open: U-Pick and ready-picked strawberries in clean, each to pick fields - early June thru early July, call for hours and availability. Directions: TollandCoventry Line. Top quality pumpkins, U-Pick or from the pile, late September thru October 31. . Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate phone: (860) 429-8449. Tolland/Coventry Line. Top quality pumpkins, U-Pick or from the pile, late September thru October 31. Click here for a YouTube video about the farm.
• Scantic Valley Farm - pick your own blueberries and strawberries, pumpkins, winter squash, corn maze, Fresh eggs, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area
  327 9th District Rd, Somers, CT 6071. Phone: 860 749 3286. Email: scanticvalley@cox.net. Open: Directions: Route 91 to Exit 47E onto Route 190east Continue 7 miles on 190 Turn right onto Ninth District Rd Farm is located two miles down Ninth District Look for our signs! 7 miles. Directions: Route 91 to Exit 47E \(onto Route 190east\) Continue 7 miles on 190 Turn right onto Ninth District Rd Farm is located two miles down Ninth District Look for our signs! 7 miles. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Scantic Valley Farm Facebook page. . . Route 91 to Exit 47E (onto Route 190east) Continue 7 miles on 190 Turn right onto Ninth District Rd Farm is located two miles down Ninth District Look for our signs! 7 miles. We also have delicious things to eat like our Specialty Burgers featuring beef we raise here on the farm and our signature Apple Cider Donut Sundae! They also have all natural grass-fed beef with our heritage Belted Galloway herd, heritage breed pork, and fresh local eggs, in adfdition to the pick your own blueberries and strawberries in the summer.

 

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