2024 Worcester County, Massachusetts Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Worcester County, Massachusetts 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.

Worcester County

• Charlton Orchards - Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, apples, pears and raspberries.
  44 Old Worcester Road, Box 339, Charlton, MA . Phone: 508- 248-7820. Email: Patty@charltonorchard.com. Open: year round and sponsors tasting events throughout the year. Directions: Route 20 West 6 miles from Route 395 and Route 290, look for signs. Route 20 East, 4 miles from Mass. Pike, Sturbridge exit and Route 84. Follow signs . Click here for a map and directions. 30337/Charlton Orchards. Email info@charltonorchard.com. map and more directions. Pick your own fruit is available beginning with Strawberries in June, Blueberries and Raspberries in July and August, Peaches in August and continue with Apples and Pears in September and October. Our winery, producing the best in handcrafted fruit and grape wines, is open Offer picnic tables, wagon rides during apple season. Peach Festival in August. Harvest Festival in October and Christmas at first week in December. Strawberry Festival in June, Blueberry Festival in July. Be sure to See comments about this farm here! Few farms in the U.S. have so many comments about them as this one.
• Fay Mountain Farm - strawberries, raspberries, apples, pears, blueberries, restrooms, gift shop, pumpkin patch in the field, pumpkins brought in from the field, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, tours of the operation, group tours
  12 Cemetary Road, Charlton, MA 1507. Phone: 508-248-7237. Email: benjaminpwilson@gmail.com. Open: Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Click here for a map and directions. . Pumpkins from September 10- October 31; Raspberries June 26-September 30, Strawberries June 5- July 4 and August 1-September, Pears September 1- October 10, Apples September 1- October 31; Blueberries June 26- August 10. (UPDATED: October 12, 2016) (UPDATED: July 14, 2016, JBS) A visitor writes on June 08, 2014: " in Charlton said they weren't doing U-pick strawberries this year. "
• Hollis Hills Farm - apples, blackberries, blueberries, other berries, peaches, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red), strawberries, Maple Syrup from trees on the farm, Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked, gift shop, porta-potties, picnic area, farm animals
  340 Marshall Rd, Fitchburg, MA 1420. Phone: 9786963130. Email: shannon@hollishillsfarm.com. Open: Seasonally, Call for Hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, ATM onsite.
  Hollis Hills Farm Facebook page. . . (UPDATED: June 10, 2021)
• Indian Head Farm - Blueberries, strawberries, flowers and raspberries.
  232 Pleasant Street, Berlin, MA . Phone: 978-838-2942. Open: daily from 8am until picked out during each season; Please call ahead for conditions. Directions: From Berlin Center, 1. 5 miles South on Pleasant Street, next to cemetery. Or Exit 25 from Route 290, 1 mile toward Berlin Center. . Click here for a map and directions. . click here for their contact form Bring your own containers or purchase at farm. Fall raspberries only. Children welcome with adults.
  Comments from a visitor on June 17, 2011: (positive) "I just wanted to let everyone know that this was an exceptional visit today to this farm, the staff was very friendly and helpful, the strawberries are very sweet and big if you go up by the cemetery. The only issue was that the Credit Card machine was down but they were having trouble with there modem, which they were working on trying to get it fixed. "
  Comments from a visitor on August 23, 2010: (positive) "We love to pick blueberries here! They are friendly and not too crowded. They also have a nice farm stand and pick your own flowers.
  Comments from a visitor on June 17, 2010: (positive) "I have grown up picking strawberries at every June. This is the best pick-your-own strawberry farm, and I've loved every visit I've made over the past ten years. The strawberries are always delicious, the prices are the most reasonable around, and the people are always friendly. We usually bring our own basket, have them weigh it before we pick, and then pay for our pounds of strawberries after. I think our record is close to ten pounds of strawberries! My family no longer lives in the area, but I'm making the trek out there tomorrow in honor of strawberry season. I can't wait! P.S. While out there, make sure to stop by Balance Rock Farm nearby for ice cream and whipping cream. It's not their own dairy anymore, but it's local and delicious and a really cute place. P.P.S. I LOVE THIS WEBSITE! Thank you so much for keeping it up and organized - it's such a gem.
• Lanni Orchards Inc - apples, blackberries, blueberries, flowers, Seedless table grapes, wine grapes, nectarines, peaches, pumpkins, 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, tomatoes, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, inflatables or bounce houses, birthday parties, school tours, group reservations
  294 Chase Rd, Lunenburg, MA 1462. Phone: (978) 582-6246. Email: info@lanniorchard.com. Open: Sunday to Saturday 8 am to 6 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, WIC Vouchers.
  Lanni Orchards Inc Facebook page. . Fax: 978-582-6099. . We use integrated pest management practices (IPM). Check out our website for current and upcoming events. July raspberries blueberries August raspberries blueberries grapes September grapes, corn maze, apples October apples, corn maze, pumpkins November doggie maze, holiday open house. (UPDATED: August 29, 2018)
• Nourse Farm - strawberries, red raspberries, black raspberries, blueberries, red currants, pumpkins, flowers
  70 Nourse Street, Westboro, MA . Phone: 508- 366-2644. Open: June 10 to September 30, please see our picking page. Directions: 2. 5 miles west on Route 30 from Westboro center. Follow the strawberry to the field. Map on website. Nourse Farm offers Pick Your Own \(PYO\) fruit . Click here for a map and directions. . Offer 8 of the sweetest varieties of strawberries and 3 varieties of raspberries. 2. 5 miles west on Route 30 from Westboro center. Follow the strawberry to the field. Map on website. offers Pick Your Own (PYO) fruit crops throughout the summer, beginning with the strawberry season in June and continuing with blueberries, red and black raspberries, red currants and pumpkins. PYO Entrance Hours are 9-6 M-F and 9-5 Sat-Sun. The PYO season extends through mid-late October with raspberries and pumpkins. We welcome families and do not charge for admission. You may bring your own containers (weight deducted) or purchase a PYO flat. For everyone's safety, our key guidelines include wearing a mask and picking 6-feet apart for social distancing. At busy times periods, check-in and check-out will be under a tent awning outside the farm. Check out the Pick-Your-Own schedule on the farm web site. (UPDATED: July 18, 2020 JBS)
• Overlook Farm - Strawberries, flowers, honey
  15 Long Hill Road, Brookfield, MA . Phone: -8817. Open: Call for for hours and availability; it may be strictly a members only CSA now. Directions: Call for directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Overlook Farm Facebook page. . A visitor writes on August 20, 2014: "I just discovered this web site. It is fantastic and I won't venture out to a farm again without checking it out unless I am already familiar with the farm. Overlook in Brookfield is probably as close to organic as you can get without being certified organic. Nice people and well run. Charlton orchard gives a dumpy appearance and has inadequate signage. Will not go there again. Thanks again for a very helpful web site."A visitor writes on June 08, 2014: "Hello, I called a few farms listed for pick your own strawberries; in Brookfield don't seem to do it. We've driven by and called this one. Seems the number you have listed isn't theirs either going by their FB and website listing. We've been trying to find a good farm close to our home since we love going as a family and while there are lots of apples picking places all the other fruits are lacking. Stinks to drive an hour if we want to pick strawberries. Charlton Orchards, as you can see by the reviews, isn't the best place. My husband has dealt with the owners for other business and they were rude as well as not having the best kept farm so we've avoided going there. Thank you for keeping this site up, its been very helpful in the past. "
  Comments from a visitor on June 23, 2011: (positive) "We liked the farm, we went strawberry picking with our home-school group a couple of years ago, and went again this year with my kids,(last years strawberries were hit by frost so we didn't go) always friendly help, and great for the kids, lovely old farm -highly recommend this farm! I know that the honey is free of everything and they practice sustainable farming, don't know if they are certified organic."
• Ragged Hill Orchard - apples, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, pears, and raspberries.
  94 John Gilbert Road, West Brookfield, MA . Phone: 508- 867-2187. Open: Call ahead for hours and picking conditions; In season, PYO apples open daily 9am to 6pm. Click here for a map and directions. . 3 miles North of common to Wickaboag Valley Road to . Or from Route 9 turn to Pierce Road to Ragged Hill Road. Children must be accompanied by adults.
• Silvermine Farm - apples, strawberries, pumpkin patch,
  96 Eight Lots Road, Sutton, MA . Phone: (508)-865-5335. Open: Strawberries: early June to mid-July, daily 8-7pm. Click here for a map and directions. . Our farm is easy to find in the southern Connecticut town of Easton, about 2 1/2 miles north of the Merrit Parkway (exit 46). We're at 451 Sport Hill Road (Rt. 59), just past the intersection with Center Road. Typical harvest dates: Rasperries Late June, Peaches - Mid July, Blueberries - August, Apples - Mid August, Call For Picking Times. When pyo apple harvest ends in later fall, weekend scenic tractor rides will begin. Enjoy a 50 mile view of the countryside from one of the highest points in Southern Connecticut.
• Tougas Family Farm - Apples, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, flowers, nectarines, peaches, plums, pumpkins, raspberries, rhubarb, winter squash, strawberries, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field and prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, tractor-pulled hay rides, wagon rides, face painting, petting zoo
  246 Ball Street, Northboro, MA 1532. Phone: 508-393-6406. Email: tougasfarm@tougasfarm.com. Open: From May through Halloween, Hours vary by season; Always call or check picking conditions on our web site. Directions: From I290 take exit #24 \(Church St\), turn towards Bolyston, follow signs up Ball St 1.5 miles . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . picking stand: 508-393-6470. Fax: 508 393 1834. . From I290 take exit #24 (Church St), turn towards Bolyston, follow signs up Ball St 1.5 miles Click here for picking updates. We have been declared a "Family Friendly" business, in addition to fruit to pick we operate a farm kitchen which features fresh fruit desserts, ice cream, baked goods and light lunch. Barnyard animals and a "Farmyard" playground keep the kids happy.Note: visitors (September 22, 2008) reported that there are purchase requirements in order to enter the orchards. Be sure to verify their website (see this page) for the costs and current picking conditions. For photos and a blog from one visitor to the farm, see this page.
  Comments from a visitor on October 11, 2010: (neutral) "Yes, this farm is well run and has everything--animals, hay/wagon rides, food, and good PYO fruit, however, it will be a long time before I go back, especially for apples. It is SO crowded, the lines are ridiculously long, and the prices are sky-high. If you want to take your kids, they each have to get a tote or tray (applies or strawberries) for a flat rate; you could easily drop 50 bucks, and you feel like you're at a theme park, not the country. Choose one of the smaller, less popular farms if you want a lovely, reasonably priced PYO experience."
  Comments from a visitor on August 23, 2010: (positive) "We love to visit pick your own farms. I have been going to Tougas since I was a kid and take my son several times a year. We love to pick strawberries, cherries, and peaches and enjoy their cider donuts and playground. They are very kid friendly but do get extremely busy on weekends particularly in the fall.

 

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