2024 Southeastern Minnesota Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Southeastern Minnesota 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.

Freeborn County

• Farmer Johns Pumpkin Patch - pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, and prepicked produce, restrooms, picnic area, horse-drawn hay rides
  90537 273rd Street, Austin, MN 55912. Phone: 507-437-9180. Email: Joulla5@aol.com. Open: Pumpkin Patch open 10 to 6 daily Strawberry and vegetables daylight hours Strawberries June 10 to July 1 Raspberries July 5 to 30 and again in early September until freeze in October. Directions: North of Austin on 218 to Lansing Corners Restaurant, 3 miles west or from 251 at Corning three quarters of a mile south. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Crops are usually available in June, July, September, October. Pumpkin Patch opens September 25 We have tour buses as well as school groups. The kids love to play in my silos. We raise a lot of tomatoes and most vegetables and are very involved in the Austin Farmers Market.
• Hilltop Greenhouse and Farm - asparagus, broccoli, cucumbers, eggplant, herbs or spices, melons, peppers, pumpkins, winter squash, strawberries, gift shop, restrooms, farm animals, school tours
  83204 300th Street, Ellendale, MN 56026. Phone: 507-889-3271. Email: sales@hilltopgreenhouse.com. Open: April to October 31, Please call ahead for availability; Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm. Directions: Hilltop Greenhouse and Farm is located 2 miles North of Hollandale on County Road 28, or 3 miles East of Geneva on County Road 35 then 2.5 miles South on County Road 28. Watch for directional signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . . opens for the season April 20th with spring sales; Plants and Vegetable will be for sale until the end of October. is family owned and operated. All of our plants and produce are grown on our farm with sustainable practices. Take a ride to the country and enjoy the beautiful countryside view while you are able to shop for unique annuals, vegetables, perennials, shrubs, produce, and more. You will be glad you came and will be sharing the experience with family and friends!.

Houston County

• Wold Strawberries - blackberries, blueberries, currants, corn (sweet), peppers, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, and prepicked produce, restrooms, wagon rides
  22988 Berry Drive, Mabel, MN 55954. Phone: 507-493-5897. Email: information@woldstrawberries.com. Open: 7 days a week from 7 am to 8 pm. Directions: Our farm is located in Southeastern Minnesota, halfway between Mabel and Spring Grove, 2.5 miles south of Highway 44 on County Road 8. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . . Crops are usually available in June, July, August.

Olmsted County

• Chester Berry Farm - strawberries, U-pick and already picked, farm market
  6225 10th Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904. Phone: 507-269-4748. Email: Chesterberryfarm@live.com. Open: 7 Days a week from 8am to 6pm; Season depends on weather. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Strawberries open in June; Raspberries open in July. You can choose to pick your own berries or you can buy berries that have already been picked, they are always picked fresh daily.
• Firefly Berries - Uses natural growing practices, currants (red and black), grapes, other berries, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (black), strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, U-pick and already picked, farm market, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available
  5542 23rd Street Ne, Rochester, MN 55906. Phone: 507-252-1309. Email: info@fireflyberries.com. Open: Monday to Saturday 8 am to 7 pm from June - August Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9 am to 6 pm from September - October Hours May vary due to fruit availability. Directions: We are located at 5542 23rd Street NE, Rochester, MN. To find us travel 4 miles east from Broadway on US 14, then 3 miles north on County Road 11. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Firefly Berries Facebook page. . We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. We are Southeast Minnesota's premier pick-your-own berry farm specializing in strawberries, raspberries, and Concord grapes. We are located just east of Rochester in southeast Minnesota. (UPDATED: June 11, 2015, JBS)
• Ron's Berry Farm - Uses natural growing practices, strawberries, Fresh eggs, porta-potties
  9546 10th Street Southeast, Eyota, MN 55934. Phone: (507) 951-8165. Email: ronsberryfarm@gmail.com. Open: Monday through Saturday, from 8 am to 7 pm during strawberry season; Closed Sundays. Directions: From Rochester take either County Road 9 East to 90th Avenue and turn South, go 1 mile and turn Left on 10th Street Southeast and go 12 mile OR Highway 14 East to 90th Avenue and take a Left, go 1 mile to 10th Street Southeast and turn Right, we are 12 mile down the road on the right. Strawberry season is typically June 10 through July 4th. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Ron's Berry Farm Facebook page. . From Rochester take either County Road 9 East to 90th Avenue and turn South, go 1 mile and turn Left on 10th Street Southeast and go 1/2 mile OR Highway 14 East to 90th Avenue and take a Left, go 1 mile to 10th Street Southeast and turn Right, we are 1/2 mile down the road on the right. Strawberry season is typically June 10 through July 4th. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. We are not CERTIFIED ORGANIC, but follow natural practices that meet or exceed certified organic practices. We are a family owned small farm. We welcome individuals, families, and groups! Kids are welcome!. (UPDATED: April 09, 2018)

 

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