2024 Greensboro Triad Area of North Carolina Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Greensboro Triad Area of North Carolina 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.

Alamance County

• Iseley Farms - ORGANIC, Strawberries, Flowers, Pumpkin, Vegetables, Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Corn, Cucumber, Herb, Honey, Onions, Peppers, Potatoes, Squash, Tomatoes, Mums, Hay Rides
  2980 Burch Bridge Road, Burlington, NC 27217. Phone: (336) 584-3323. Email: iseleyfarms@bellsouth.net. Open: UPDATE for 2021, Their website is gone; Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me, their last reported hours were Strawberry Hours Mid-April through Mid-June are Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 6 pm, closed on Sunday, Hours will depend on berry availability this season; Call ahead to find out. Directions: From downtown Burlington take NC 87 North to Elmira St. turn right across railroad track, Elmira Street becomes Burch Bridge Road. At city limits, farm is 3.3 miles from RR crossing on left. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (336) 584-6473. . welcomes, school groups, church groups, home-schooled groups, playschool and preschool groups to enjoy strawberry picking in the spring and the pumpkin patch & hayrides in the month of October. Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday 9 am to 4 pm; May 1 thru October 31. Crop availability: Okra - July-late October Beets - July-September Organic lettuce - Spring & Fall Broccoli. Third week in October: daycare, hayrides.
  Comments from a visitor on July 02, 2009: "The strawberries are not organic. I visited in late May and spoke with the farmer, Jane Iseley. She gave me some detail about how she limits her use of pesticides to the stage before fruit emerges. Her other crops are organically grown I believe."

Caswell County

• Lunsford Farm - strawberries,
  1378 Ridgeville Road, Prospect Hill, NC 27314. Phone: 336-562-5437. Email: lunsfarm@embarqmail.com. Open: Call for picking days and times. Directions: Take Highway 86S from Yanceyville to Prospect Hill, turn left onto Ridgeville Road and go 1.3 miles. We are located on the right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Lunsford Farm . Typical Crop availability: Strawberries - April-May Mums & Pumpkins - September to October.

Davidson County

• Hedgecock Farm - Strawberries
  3011 Abbotts Creek Church Road, Kernersville, NC 27284. Phone: (336) 869-4762. Email: jlh12245@aol.com. Open: Monday to Saturday 8 am to noon, 2 pm to 7 pm; late Apr-mid June. Directions: Located beside Abbotts Creek Missionary Baptist Church between Hwy 311 and Wallburg High Point Road 3 miles west High Point, 9 miles north Thomasville, 10 miles east Winston Salem. . Click here for a map and directions. Hedgecock Farm Crop availability: - late April-mid June.

Forsyth County

• R & M Strawberry Farm - strawberries, picnic area, school tours
  7369 Parham Road, Belews Creek, NC 27009. Phone: 336-595-9743. Open: We are opening during Season from 8am to 8pm; Check website for closings. Directions: Please mapquest us from your destination. 7369 Parham Road,Belews Creek, NC 27009 or Kernersville location: Landreth Road Kernersville, NC 27284. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. We are anticipating opening the first week of May Please check website for updates.

Guilford County

• Apple Farm - Strawberries, Vegetables
  3922 High Rock Road, Gibsonville, NC 27249. Phone: (336) 621-4247. Open: Monday to Friday 7 am to 7 pm, Saturday 7 am to 5 pm. Directions: Located at Hwy 29 north of Greensboro, right on Hicone Road to Huffine Mill Road, take left to High Rock Road, take right . Click here for a map and directions. . Crop availability: Strawberries & Vegetables - April 25-June 5. .8 mile to farm on left.
• Bernie's Berries - Strawberries, Cantaloupe, Corn, Cucumber, Squash, Tomatoes, Vegetables, Watermelon
  6126 Jongail Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407. Phone: (336) 852-1594. Email: kenanb@bellsouth.net. Open: Something is wrong with their website; be sure to call before you go; Monday to Saturday 7 am to 7 pm; May thru August. Directions: Located Groometown Road, 2. Click here for a map and directions.
  Bernie's Berries Facebook page. . . Crop availability: Strawberries - May-June Squash & Cucumbers - June Sweet corn, Cantaloupe, Okra & Watermelon - July Tomatoes - June-September. Facebook page. .9 miles south of I-85 Exit 122.
• Early Farms - strawberries, U-pick and already picked, farm market
  6031 Bethel Church Road, Gibsonville, NC 27249. Phone: 336-697-2473. Email: erin87@earthlink.net. Open: Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6:30pm. Directions: I-40 Exit #132 Mount Hope Church Road. Proceed to the intersection at the Wendy\'s & Hess Station \(Knox Rd\) Follow Knox Road to the intersection of highway 70 \(Wendover Ave Church Street\). Cross through this intersection and turn right onto Bethel Ch Road Farm is on left before Eastern Guilford High School. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Early Farms . I-40 Exit #132 Mount Hope Church Road. Proceed to the intersection at the Wendy's & Hess Station (Knox Rd) Follow Knox Road to the intersection of highway 70 (Wendover Ave/ Church Street). Cross through this intersection and turn right onto Bethel Ch Road Farm is on left before Eastern Guilford High School. May and June- Seasonal. (ADDED: May 02, 2015)
• Faucette Farms - strawberries, U-pick and already picked
  7566 Friendship Church Road, Brown Summit, NC 27214. Phone: 336-706-0294. Email: polly@faucettefarms.com. Open: Monday - Friday 7:30am to 6:00pm Saturday 7:30 am to 4:30 pm During Strawberry season. Directions: Take Highway 29 north from Greensboro, N.C. to Highway 150 east. Proceed 1.5miles Farm is on the right after you pass Monticello Elementary School. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Alternate Phone: 336-669-5262. Fax: 336-656-5396. . Our Farm is now certified organic. And we are currently offering organic strawberries for sale.
• Freedom House Farm - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, picnic area
  6434 US Highway 158, Summerfield, NC 27358. Phone: (336) 202-7773. Email: farm@helpfreedomhouse.org. Open: Tentative hours are Monday through Friday 11:00am to 6:00pm and Saturdays from 9:00am to 2:00pm; Please check our Facebook for updated hours of operation. Directions: Highway 158 between Interstate 73 and Lake Brandt Road. Strawberry Harvest is typically from April 15th to July 15th. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Freedom House Farm Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: (336) 286-7622. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. We are a non-profit, Christ based Women's recovery ministry. Women live at the farm with their children for up to 2 years where the Lord redeems their heart and restores the relationship between them and their children. All proceeds go to building more houses for more families. We look forward to meeting you!. (ADDED: February 11, 2021)
• Greeson's Strawberry Farm - Strawberries, Tomatoes
  5164 Watchtower Road, Julian, NC 27283. Phone: (336) 685-0360. Open: Monday & Wednesday 7 am to 7:30 pm, Saturday 7 am to 4 pm; April-August. Directions: Located at 5164 Watchtower Road. Take Liberty Road from Forest Oak Shopping Center, go approximately 2 miles, turn left on Donna Road, go to stop sign, left on Monnett Road, go 150 yard right on Watchtower Road. . Click here for a map and directions. Crop availability: Strawberries - late April-May Melons - July-August Tomatoes - June-August.
• Ingram's Strawberries Farm - Strawberries, Vegetables
  6121 Riverdale Drive, High Point, NC 27263. Phone: (336) 431-2368. Open: Monday through Friday from 7am to 7pm and Saturday from 7am to 5pm; late April-mid June. Directions: From Greensboro take Bus 85 South, left onto Riverdale Road at second stoplight, go 3.3 miles. From High Point take Bus 85 North, right onto Riverdale Road at stoplight go 3.3 miles. From Thomasville take 85 North , Exit 113 for NC 62 turn right onto NC 62 and go 1.7 miles, turn left onto Riverdale Road and go .5 mile. . Click here for a map and directions. Crop availability: Strawberries & Vegetables - late April-mid June. Also, we now offer hand dipped ice cream and homemade baked goods in our Country Kitchen. School or group tours are always welcomed - please call for more information.
• May's Strawberries & Produce - broccoli, summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, Potatoes, Leaf Lettuce, Headed Lettuce, Spring Onion, Okra, Corn, Peppers, Cabbage and other fruit or veg, and prepicked produce, restrooms
  6810 McLeansville Road, McLeansville, NC 27301. Phone: 336-375-3613. Open: 7 days a week 8 am to dark Payment: Cash, Check. Directions: Greensboro: Hwy 29 North to Hicone Road Take Right at top of exit ramp Follow to the third stop light and turn left \( McLeansville Rd.\) Follow McLeansville Rd 1 mile and farm will be on right >From Reidsville: Hwy 29 South to Hwy 150 east Take left at bottom of exit ramp onto 150 east Take 1st right after you pass under bridge \( McLeansville Rd.\) Follow McLeansville Road. approximately 3 miles and the farm will be on the left . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Greensboro: Hwy 29 North to Hicone Road Take Right at top of exit ramp Follow to the third stop light and turn left ( McLeansville Rd.) Follow McLeansville Rd 1 mile and farm will be on right >From Reidsville: Hwy 29 South to Hwy 150 east Take left at bottom of exit ramp onto 150 east Take 1st right after you pass under bridge ( McLeansville Rd.) Follow McLeansville Road. approximately 3 miles and the farm will be on the left Click here for a map to our farm. Crops are usually available in May, June, July, August. Spring Onions Cabbage Lettuce Okra.
• Rudd Strawberry Farm - Strawberries, farm market
  4021 Hicone Road, Greensboro, NC 27405. Phone: (336) 621-1264. Open: Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7 pm, Saturday 7:30 am to 5:30 pm; May-June. Directions: Located on 4021 Hicone Road one third mile off 29 North, between 29 North and Summit Avenue. Farm on the right; just outside the city of Greensboro and less than 12 mile from Highway 29. They grow 15 acres of strawberries, including four different varieties. The farm\'s on-site produce stand is . Click here for a map and directions. . Located on 4021 Hicone Road one third mile off 29 North, between 29 North and Summit Avenue. Farm on the right; just outside the city of Greensboro and less than 1/2 mile from Highway 29. They grow 15 acres of strawberries, including four different varieties. The farm's on-site produce stand is open 6 to 7 months a year during the spring, summer, and fall growing seasons.
• Sawyer Farms - Pumpkin, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Zucchini, Corn, Gourds, Tours
  6346 Beulah Church Road, Liberty, NC 27298. Phone: (336) 685-9645. Email: asawyer3@bellsouth.net. Open: Call for days & hours of operation. Directions: Located 4605 Randleman Road: I-40I85 bypass around Greensboro, NC south on Randleman Road, 5 one half miles to stand on left. Click here for a map and directions. . April 20 thru October 31. Crop availability: Strawberries - April-June Zuchini & Squash - May-July Tomatoes - June-October Pumpkins - September-October Pumpkins - September-October. decorative gourds & mini colored popcorn, Strawberries & pumpkin tours (Elementary K-2). Located 6346 Bellah Church Road: I-40/I85 Hwy 62 south, 11-12 miles, left on Alamance Church Road (caution light), 1 mile right on Bellah Church Road, 1/2 mile on right. Also located 4605 Randleman Road: I-40/I85 bypass around Greensboro, NC south on Randleman Road, 5 one half miles to stand on left.

Harnett County

• Cottle Farms, Inc. - Strawberries
  Hwy 421, Dunn, NC 28334. Phone: (919) 892-4248. Open: Sunday 1 pm to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday 8 am to 7 pm. Directions: Located on Hwy 421 between Dunn & Erwin. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (910) 267-4531 Crop availability: - April-June.
• Farmer's Strawberries & Produce - Beans, Cabbage, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Onions, Potatoes
  209 Holder Road, Lillington, NC 27546. Phone: (910) 893-6076. Open: Sunday-Saturday Call for hours & availability. Directions: Located 4 miles west of Lillington on Hwy 27. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (910) 893-3623Sunday-Saturday (Call for hours & availability.). Crop availability: Strawberries - April-May Squash - April Onions, Snaps, Tomatoes, Potatoes & Cabbage - April-June.
• Johnson Strawberry Farm - Strawberries, Watermelon, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Corn, Onions, Potatoes, Squash,
  2801 Hobson Road 301 North, Dunn, NC 28334. Phone: 910-892-4926. Email: bjohnsonstrawberriefarm@yahoo.com. Open: Monday to Saturday 7 am to 7 pm. Directions: Located one mile north of Dunn on Hwy 301. Click here for a map and directions. Johnson Strawberry Farm Phone: (910) 892-9711. . Crop availability: Strawberries & Squash - April-June Irish Potatoes - April-May Corn - June Cantaloupes - June-July Watermelon - July Cabbage & Onions - May-June. .

Lee County

• Barry's Strawberry Farm - Asparagus, Cabbage, Onions, Strawberries
  4014 Cox Mill Road, Sanford, NC 27332. Phone: (919) 258-3606. Email: bwharrington@alltel.net. Open: Sunday 1 pm to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday 8 am to 7 pm. Click here for a map and directions. Barry's Strawberry Farm Phone: (919) 258-3571. . Crop availability: Strawberries & Asparagus - April-June Cabbage & Onions - May-June. At US 421 & NC 87 split south of Sanford, take US 421 south toward Lillington, take a right at the second crossroad (Cox Mill Road), farm is .5 mile on the left.
• Douglas' Strawberry Patch - Strawberries
  123 Johnson Cemetary Road, Sanford, NC 27332. Phone: (919) 499-9391. Open: Monday to Saturday 7:30 am to 6 pm. Directions: Located Hwy 87 south from Sanford, 2 miles past Carolina Trace on the left in Olivia. . Click here for a map and directions. Douglas' Strawberry Patch Phone: (919) 353-2399 Crop availability: .
• Gary Thomas Farms - Asparagus, Beans, Blackberry, Corn, Cucumber, Greenhouse Tomatoes, Greenhouse Vegetables, Jellies, Jams, Onions, Strawberries
  443 Thomas Road, Sanford, NC 27330. Phone: (919) 258-3035. Open: Sunday 1 pm to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday 7 am to 7 pm. Directions: Located off Hwy 42 East towards Broadway, go one mile turn left on Rice Toad at East Lee Middle School, one half mile on right is Thomas Road, one half mile on left is Gary Thomas Strawberries. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (919) 258-3262 Crop availability: Strawberries, Sweet Onions, Greenhouse Tomatoes & Cucumbers - mid April-June Asparagus - late April-mid May Green Beans & Sweet Corn - June-early July Blackberries - June-July. Homemade jam & jelly. website.
• Gross Farms, LLC - asparagus, beans, corn (sweet), cucumbers, melons, onions, peas, peaches, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, strawberries, other vegetables, Honey from hives on the farm, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, school tours
  1606 Pickett Road, Sanford, NC 27332. Phone: 919-498-6727. Email: info@grossfarms.com. Open: Mid - Late April - End of July on Monday - Saturday from 7:30am to 6:00pm and Sunday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Directions: Gross Farms is conveniently located 4 miles south of Sanford, NC on NC 87. From Raleigh: Take US 1 south to Sanford. Take NC 87 South for approximately 8 miles. Turn left onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 12 mile on the left. From Sanford: Take NC 87 South for approximately 4 miles. Turn left onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 12 mile on the left. From Fayetteville: Take NC 87 North for approximately 25 miles. Turn right onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 12 mile on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard.
  Gross Farms, LLC Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 919-499-4522. Fax: 919-498-6731. . Gross Farms is conveniently located 4 miles south of Sanford, NC on NC 87. From Raleigh: Take US 1 south to Sanford. Take NC 87 South for approximately 8 miles. Turn left onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 1/2 mile on the left. From Sanford: Take NC 87 South for approximately 4 miles. Turn left onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 1/2 mile on the left. From Fayetteville: Take NC 87 North for approximately 25 miles. Turn right onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 1/2 mile on the left. Strawberries: Mid-late April to end of May Asparagus: late April and May Sweet Corn: late June and July Pumpkins: late September and October.
  Comments from a visitor on September 21, 2012: "Loved it. Great for military families (they offer discount!) and the little ones really enjoyed picking their own pumpkin and the playground!"
• Harrington Farms - Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Collards, Corn, Greens, Potatoes, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Onions
  1412 San Lee Drive, Sanford, NC 27330. Phone: (919) 775-4242. Open: UPDATE for 2021, Once again Harrington & Sons Farms has made a difficult decision and will not be growing any strawberries or produce in 2021; We appreciate all of our customers and business through the years; Please keep us in mind for the future, in a normal year, hours are Sunday 1 pm to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday 7 am to 7 pm. Directions: Located at Central Carolina Community College, go past to stop sign, left 14 mile, field is on left. Click here for a map and directions. Harrington Farms Phone: (919) 776-6730. Located at Central Carolina Community College, go past to stop sign, left 1/4 mile, field is on left. From Sanford, San Lee Drive to 1412 San Lee Drive. Follow signs. Crop availability: Strawberries, Onions, Cabbage, Potatoes, Broccoli & Asparagus - April-June Tomatoes - March-July Corn & Cantaloupe - July Greens - September- December Collards - November- December.
• Logan Farms - Corn, Strawberries, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes
  110 Logan Farm Lane, Sanford, NC 27330. Phone: (919) 776-1898. Open: Monday to Saturday 7:30 am to 8 pm; April- December. Directions: Located halfway between Sanford and Siler City on Hwy 421 across Deep River at Gulf, one mile on North Plank Road, right on Logan Farm Lane. Click here for a map and directions. Logan Farms Phone: (919) 776-2277. Crop availability: Strawberries - May Sweet Corn - July Tomatoes - July-September Sweet Potatoes - August-October Bedding & Vegetable plants - April-October. .
• McNeill Farms - Broccoli, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Corn, Onions, Squash, Strawberries, Watermelon
  5948 Lemon Springs Road, Sanford, NC 27332. Phone: (919) 774-1085. Open: Tuesday to Saturday 8 am to 6 pm. Click here for a map and directions. McNeill Farms From US 1 take Hwy 78, 3 miles east turn right on Lemon Springs Road go 3.5 miles to farm on right. From Lemon Springs 1 one half miles on Lemon Springs Road. Crop availability: Strawberries - April 15-June 15 Sweet Corn - July-September Cabbage, Broccoli & Onions - May-June 10 Okra - July-August Beans & Squash - June-August 1 Watermelon & Cantaloupe - June-September.

Randolph County

• Kildee Farm - Strawberries, Corn, Flowers, Pumpkin, Crop Maze, Tours, Vegetables
  936 Kildee Church Road, Ramseur, NC 27316. Phone: (919) 742-5102. Email: kildeefarm@centurylink.net. Open: Sun 2-6pm, Monday to Friday 7:30-11am&3:30-7pm,Saturday from 7:30-4pm. Directions: Located off Hwy 64 between Ramseur and Siler City. Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (919) 742-3600. . Crop availability: Strawberries - April-early June Sweet Corn - June-July Summer Produce - mid April-July Bedding Plants - mid April-June Mums & Pumpkins - mid September-October. School tours & Corn Maze. . Turn onto Parks Crossroad go one half mile turn left onto Kildee Church Road, farm one mile on right. Watch for signs.
• Whitaker Farms - Cantaloupe, Cucumber, Flowers, Greenhouse Tomatoes, Peppers, Pumpkin, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes,
  2991 Providence Church Road, Climax, NC 27233. Phone: (336) 685-4888. Email: whitakerfarm@northstate.net. Open: Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday 9 am to 5 pm; March 1 thru December 24. Directions: Two locations: Located at 2991Providence Church Road, Climax, NC between Hwy 220 at Level Cross and Hwy 22 at Red Cross, 12 miles south of Greensboro also located at 4715 Hwy 64 East, Franklinville, NC between Asheboro and Ramseur. . Click here for a map and directions. . Landscape design, hospice sale & farm tours.

Rockingham County

• Riverside Farms - Strawberries, Vegetables, Corn, Hanging Baskets, Flowers, Vegetable Plants, Christmas Trees, Gourds, Pumpkins
  241 Riverson Road, Madison, NC 27025. Phone: (336) 427-5937. Email: donna_fulp@netzero.com. Open: Monday to Saturday 8 am to 6 pm; April thru November. Directions: From Hwy 311 in Madison. Turn on Lindsey Bridge Road, go past the river and turn left on Riverson Road. Roadside stand on left. . Click here for a map and directions. . Crop availability: Strawberries - May-June Vegetable plants - April-June Hanging Baskets & Flowers - April-July Vegetables - June-October Pumpkins, Gourds & Mums - September-October Christmas Trees - November- December Hay & Pine straw - year-round. We also offer the farm for church groups, school groups and tours, picnics, and birthday parties.
• Tucker's Farm - strawberries, restrooms
  Highway 220, Madison, NC 27025. Phone: 336-613-6745. Open: Call for for hours and availability. Directions: Located on the east side of 220 at the corner of Tucker Rd and 220. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Take Highway 220 N from Greensboro approximately 15 miles or take Highway 220 S from Virginia approximately 15 miles. We are . Strawberries are available through the month of May. Our strawberries are picked fresh every day. Stop by and get a fresh picked basket or pick your own! Our strawberries are grown on raised beds covered with black plastic. We offer pre-picked or pick-your-own strawberries.
  Comments from a visitor on May 21, 2011: "Very well kept farm with luscious strawberries. They provide baskets to pick your own or you can buy a flat of picked strawberries."

Stokes County

• Boles Strawberries - Strawberries
  4863 NC Hwy 8 North, Lawsonville, NC 27022. Phone: (336) 593-3797. Open: Monday to Saturday 7 am to 7 pm; mid May thru mid June. Directions: Located on Hwy 8 north of Winston, south of Virginia beside The Berry Patch Market-Citgo. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (336) 593-9862 Crop availability: - mid May-mid June.
• Mabe's Berry Farm - Strawberries, Blueberries
  1695 Greenfield Road, Walnut Cove, NC 27052. Phone: (336) 591-4785. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions.
  Mabe's Berry Farm Facebook page. . Call for Hours and availability; typically Monday to Saturday 9 am to 'til sold out; May thru June. Click here for a map to the farm. Located at the intersection of Watts & Greenfield Road approximately 15 minutes from Winston Salem. Please always call before driving out the farm. For more frequent updates like us on Facebook

 

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