Find a local pick your own farm here!

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Long Island, New York 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.

Suffolk County

  • Glover Farms - pumpkins, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
    633 Victory Avenue, Brookhaven, NY 11719. Phone: 631-286-7876. Email: gglovercpa@aol.com. Open: for strawberries starting early June then every day from 10 am to 6 pm; weather permitting as long as berries last. Directions: If you are using Google use 633 County road 56 , Brookhaven, NY 11719 as the address. For MapQuest use 633 Victory Road 11719. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
    Glover Farms Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 631-332-2012. . 10 acre corn maze, large and small gourds, corn stalks, and straw bales. Hay rides , Farm animals, Roasted corn, Lemonade, other foods and snacks, Corn and Pumpkin giant slingshots and other activities on Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays. Grammas Flower Cottage - corn (sweet), cucumbers, flowers, pumpkins, winter squash, other vegetables, Precut Christmas trees, Living Christmas trees (to plant later), Christmas wreaths and boughs, Mistletoe, Santa appearances, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, haunted corn maze, and prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, face painting, pony rides2891 Montauk Hwy box 230, Brookhaven, NY 11719. Phone: 631-730-6264. Grammasflowers@optonline.net. Call before you go - their website is down - 7 days a week 9am to 6pm beginning March 1st - December 24th We are open from March first and as crop is available. 2891 Montauk Highway Brookhaven, NY 11719 Sunrise Hwy: (West Origin) *Take Exit 57S *Turn Left at first stop sign off ramp *Turn Right at next stop sign onto Yaphank Ave *Turn Left at first traffic light onto Montauk Hwy (East Origin) *Take Exit 58S *Turn Right at second traffic light onto Montauk Highway LIE: (West Origin) *Take Exit 65 *Turn Right at first traffic light onto Horse Block Road *Turn Left at last traffic light onto Montauk Hwy (East Origin) *Take Exit 65 *Turn Left at first traffic light onto Horse Block Road *Turn Left at last traffic light onto Montauk Hwy Crops are usually available in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. Fall fun and products available September 15th Pumpkin Picking and Haunted Maze opens Oct.1st - 31st Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. Gramma's is dedicated to her local neighbors and providing them with a positive quality gardening experience by growing and caring for her own product and offering interactive lecture demonstrations on various gardening topics. Gramma's is a self-sustaining, interactive, family owned and operated retail nursery servicing eastern Long Island and beyond. (UPDATED: July 02, 2019, JBS)
  • Hank's Farm Stand and Pumpkintown - apples, strawberries, peaches, Raspberries & Blackberries, corn maze, pumpkins, hay rides, pony rides,
    149 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, NY 11976. Phone: 631-726-4667. Email: info@haydenspeachorchard.com. Open: for U-pick strawberries June; fresh produce July to mid-September, September 12th to November 1st from 9:30am to 6pm; PUMPKIN PICKING: 7 DAYS A WEEK; MAZE PARK: WEEKENDS and HOLIDAYS 914, 915, 923, 1012 APPLE PICKING: WEEKENDS and HOLIDAYS 914, 915, 923, 1012. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
    Hank's Farm Stand and Pumpkintown Facebook page. . for U-pick strawberries (June); fresh produce July to mid-September, September 12th to November 1st from 9:30am to 6pm; PUMPKIN PICKING: 7 DAYS A WEEK; MAZE PARK: WEEKENDS and HOLIDAYS (9/14, 9/15, 9/23, 10/12) APPLE PICKING: WEEKENDS and HOLIDAYS (9/14, 9/15, 9/23, 10/12). Pick-Your-Own: STRAWBERRIES June - July; RASPBERRIES Mid July - Early Sept. and BLACKBERRIES August - Early to Mid Sept. They also have pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, mums, straw bales, baked goods, apples. They also feature a Maze Quest Maze, super sweet corn, roasted corn, and family fall fun. Hank's Pumpkintown has Pumpkin Picking, Apple Picking, Corn Mazes, Wagon Rides, Tractor Train Rides, Giant Slides, Games, Playgrounds and more. Our Market has Freshly Baked Pies, Cookies, Cupcakes, Candy Apples, Cider Donuts & much more. Be sure to visit the Corn Shed for the Best Roasted Corn too! FREE OFF ROAD PARKING: To avoid ticketing, please park off the road! ​We have 2 off road parking fields at the west end of the property on both sides of the road. (UPDATED: July 02, 2019, JBS)
  • Hodun Farms - strawberries, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant
    4070 Middle Country Road, Calverton, NY . Phone: 631-369-3533. Email: hodunfarms@optonline.net. Open: June-October 7 days a week 8am-6pm; be sure to call or email before going. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . In June we have pick your own strawberries. From August to October, we have pick your own tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant (these pick by the bushel only).
  • Lewin Farms - apples, blackberries, blueberries, eggplant, nectarines, peaches, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (yellow), raspberries (black), strawberries, tomatoes,
    812 Sound Avenue, Wading River, NY 11792. Phone: 631-929-4327. Open: PYO fields open until 4:30pm , 9 am to 4:30 pm Subject to season and availability, weather permitting; All PYO usually open both weekend days, call ahead, especially for weekdays, depends on crop and year; Farm stand is open everyday except Tuesday 9-5pm. Directions: LIE exit 68 North William Floyd Parkway, right to 25A, 3 lights, Left onto Sound Avenue, 1 mile on right 4 miles to Sound Ave., 14 mile on left - Note, a visitor says the pick your own apples are on Fresh Pond Avenue, not Sound Avenue. The farm is huge and apparently covers several towns, including Calverton and Wading river. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
    Lewin Farms Facebook page. . PYO fields open until 4:30pm , 9 am to 4:30 pm Subject to season and availability, weather permitting; All PYO usually open both weekend days, call ahead, especially for weekdays, depends on crop and year; Farm stand is open everyday (except Tuesday) 9-5pm. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. LIE exit 68 North William Floyd Parkway, right to 25A, 3 lights, Left onto Sound Avenue, 1 mile on right 4 miles to Sound Ave., 1/4 mile on left - Note, a visitor says the pick your own apples are on Fresh Pond Avenue, not Sound Avenue. The farm is huge and apparently covers several towns, including Calverton and Wading river. From Late July-October we have our own Roasted Corn for sale on the weekends at the farm stand. We were the first pick your own farm on Long Island, and we are continuing this tradition with pick your own strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, apples, corn maze, pumpkins and cut your own Christmas trees. They also carry a full line of farm fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables at their huge farmstand. Facebook page. Typical dates for PYO are: Strawberries in June, Blueberries in July; Peaches from Middle of July through the middle of September, Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant in late August through late October, Apples from late August through late October, Pumpkins from the end of September through October, and Christmas trees from day after Thanksgiving to Christmas. Farm stand opens Memorial Day Weekend and the normal business hours for farm market store are 9am-5pm for Spring, Summer and into October. November (closes at 4pm). Our farm stand offers a full line of fresh fruits and vegetables. Many of these are grown on our farm. We also get other local Long Island produce and honey from nearby farms to bring you the freshest quality locally grown produce possible. They now have an ATM machine in the farm stand for your convenience.
    Comments from a visitor on June 13, 2011: "After calling both May's and Lewin's, I found that neither farm is offering pick-your-own strawberries this year, although May's is selling strawberries at their stand."/span> See comments about this farm here!
  • May's Farm Stand - strawberries, peas, peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins, string beans and eggplant
    6361 Route 25A, Wading River, NY 11792. Phone: 631-929-6654. Email: info@maysfarmny.com. Open: 9 am to 6 pm, daily May-October. Directions: Mays Farm is located on Rt. 25A in Wading River, about 1 mile east of William Floyd Parkway. Take the LIE \(Rt. 495\) to exit 68 William Floyd Parkway north , or take Sunrise Highway to exit 58 north William Floyd Parkway. Go north on William Floyd Parkway to the end \(RT. 25A\) Turn right on Rt. 25A and we are one mile up on the right hand side. U-pick strawberries in late May and June; and peas start in late June; peppers, tomatoes, string beans and eggplant August and September; fresh farm produce, call to confirm. Come and spend a few hours at the farm with your family. Go out into our pumpkin patch and find the perfect pumpkin. We offer tractor drawn hayrides and challenge you to try to find your way through May\'s Amazing Corn Maze. In our fields, we grow many varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables, including strawberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, melons, cucumbers, squash, string beans, pumpkins, and much more. We sell these at our farm stand 7 days a week, as well as at two local farmers markets from July through October. One of these is located in Port Jefferson, at the ferry parking lot on Thursdays from 10-4. The other is in Patchogue, on Montauk Highway, 500 feet west of RT. 112. This market is located in the 7-11 parking lot, on the north side of the street on Fridays from 8-1. We accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program Checks, as well as cash, at both farmers markets. In June we . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, AmEx.
    May's Farm Stand Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 631-965-3391. . Mays Farm is located on Rt. 25A in Wading River, about 1 mile east of William Floyd Parkway. Take the LIE (Rt. 495) to exit 68 William Floyd Parkway north , or take Sunrise Highway to exit 58 north William Floyd Parkway. Go north on William Floyd Parkway to the end (RT. 25A) Turn right on Rt. 25A and we are one mile up on the right hand side. U-pick strawberries in late May and June; and peas start in late June; peppers, tomatoes, string beans and eggplant August and September; fresh farm produce, call to confirm. Come and spend a few hours at the farm with your family. Go out into our pumpkin patch and find the perfect pumpkin. We offer tractor drawn hayrides and challenge you to try to find your way through May's Amazing Corn Maze. In our fields, we grow many varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables, including strawberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, melons, cucumbers, squash, string beans, pumpkins, and much more. We sell these at our farm stand 7 days a week, as well as at two local farmers markets from July through October. One of these is located in Port Jefferson, at the ferry parking lot on Thursdays from 10-4. The other is in Patchogue, on Montauk Highway, 500 feet west of RT. 112. This market is located in the 7-11 parking lot, on the north side of the street on Fridays from 8-1. We accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program Checks, as well as cash, at both farmers markets. In June we open our fields for Strawberry and Sweet Pea Picking In October, we feature Pumpkin Picking, along with a corn maze, hayrides, pony rides and much more.
    Comments from a visitor on June 13, 2011: "After calling both May's and Lewin's, I found that neither farm is offering pick-your-own strawberries this year, although May's is selling strawberries at their stand. The Milk Pail Farm and Orchard - pick-your-own apples, wagon rides, pumpkinsMMontauk Highway Between Water Mill & Bridgehampton, NY. Phone: 631-537-2565. freshmarket@milk-pail.com. The U-Pick Apple & Pumpkin Farm is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday (after Labor Day) from 10am to 5:30pm throughout September and October. Some of our apple varieties are: Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Cameo, Jonagold, Empire, Mutsu, Stayman, & Idared. Click here to see all apples we have throughout the season. Sorry, we do not have public restrooms. Dogs are no longer allowed on the farm. Click here for a map; from the Long Island Expressway: Heading East on 495 take exit 70 (Manorville) to Route 111, At the end of Route 111 follow onto Rte 27 (Sunrise Highway/Montauk Highway), Follow Route 27 East through the towns of Southampton and Water Mill, After passing through Water Mill look for The Milk Pail on the left side of the highway about 1 1/2 miles, Immediately after The Milk Pail make a right onto Mecox Road, Follow Mecox Road about 1 1/4 miles to the "T", At the "T" make a left and follow the signs and make a right onto Horsemill Lane. Pick your own apples from our trees and pumpkins from the vine. We grow over twenty apple varieties throughout the months of September and October. Our dwarf apples trees are the perfect height for all ages. Select your own great Halloween pumpkins from our patch filled with all sizes, shapes and colors. We grow pumpkins from Minis to 150 pounds plus! We have over 60 different varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds all grown on site. We also serve coffee, hot cider and other treats from our Fresh Market. Check the top of our website for important announcements, closures, extensions and apple varieties available for picking. We only offer apples, pumpkins and squash we grow and YES, you do pick the apples from our trees. See comments about this farm here! Patty's Berries & Bunches- Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, 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, other vegetables, Other fruit or veg, Honey from hives on the farm, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, school tours4410 Sound Avenue, Mattituck, 11951, Mattituck, NY 11952. Phone: 631 298 4679. Alternate Phone: 631 655 7996. pattysberriesandbunches@gmail.com. Seven Days a week from 9 am to 6 pm; You Pick ends at 5:30 pm. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. From New York City and points west: Take the LIE (495) east to exit 71. Take a left on Edwards Avenue and continue North (straight) for 3.8 miles. Take a right on Sound Avenue. Continue East on Sound Avenue for 10 miles. From Orient, Greenport and points east: Travel west on Route 48 to our Sound Avenue Mattituck location (approximately 25 miles from Orient Point). Strawberries (June), Blueberries (July/August), Raspberries (July, Middle August), Blackberries (August), Fall Raspberries (Late August/September), Fresh Cut Bunches (June/September). We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. Patty's Berries & Bunches Facebook page. U-Pick: and ready picked; Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries. Flowers: Peonies, Dahlias, Sunflowers, Ornamental and more, also available for weddings and Events. Produce Stand: Seasonal Ice Cream, Cider, Baked Goods, Honey, Jams and more. New Activities: Yard ART, Tours, Live Music and a Variety of Classes. See comments about this farm here!
  • Ringhoff Farms - strawberries, U-pick and already picked
    62 Belleview Avenue, Center Moriches, NY 11941. Phone: 631-909-3439. Email: freddyshouse@aol.com. Open: Seven days a week from 10am to 5pm. Directions: From Montauk highway in Center Moriches, head south on Belleview Avenue a few blocks. There are signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Alternate Phone: 516-768-6774. The strawberries are in and taste deliciously sweet! $3.50/QT for Pick your own $4.50/QT for Already picked. (ADDED: May 30, 2015) Rottkamp's Fox Hollow Farm - PYO strawberries, pumpkins.143 Sound Avenue, Calverton, NY 11933. Phone: 631-727-1786. 9 am to 5:30 p.m. Thur.-Tue. early June-Oct. 31. We have Our own sweet corn, lettuce, fruits, tomatoes, cakes, beans, summer and fall squash, yellow baby watermelons, pumpkins, corn stalks, corn maze, U-Pick pumpkins in October; U-Pick strawberries in June. Seven Ponds Orchard - apples, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries, corn maze665 Seven Ponds Road, Water Mill, NY. Phone: 631-726-8015. 9 am to 6 pm daily July through Thanksgiving. Ideal for families. Many children-related activities and features. Dwarf trees (easy to pick), picnic area, 5 acre corn maze, hayrides, magic talking apple, etc. open July - November (picking starts in late August), 9 am to 6 pm. take 27 east to the sixth traffic light past the end of the divided hwy. turn left at the 6th light onto David's Whites Lane and right onto Seven Ponds road, then 500 ft on the left. Many varieties of apples: Gala, Ginger Gold, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Macoun, Fuji, Cortland, Empire, Jonagold, Red / Golden Delicious, Cameo, Mutsu, and Granny Smith. See comments about this farm here! Wickham's Fruit Farm - PYO strawberries, apples, raspberries, cherries, peaches, pumpkinsRoute 25, Cutchogue, NY 11935. Phone: 631-734-6441. . picking hours are 9am to 4pm Monday-Saturday, closed on Sundays. Take the Long Island Expressway east to the last exit (73). Continue east on Route 58 (which becomes Route 25) for 14 miles (no turns). Wickham's Fruit Farm is on the right hand side after the red light in Cutchogue. Roadside market offers a large variety of fresh produce as well as other food items such as fresh pressed cider, pies, etc. Group tours of the farm can be arranged. Also hayrides, Picnic area, Apple and pumpkin picking. Note: U-Pick is open to MEMBERS ONLY; To join, fill in the form & bring it with you or come to Wickham's & fill in the form. Membership is $20 per family per year. Roadside market offers a large variety of fresh produce as well as other food items such as fresh pressed cider, pies, etc. Group tours of the farm can be arranged. Also hayrides, 7-acre corn maze, Picnic area, Apple and pumpkin picking. picking hours are 9am to 4pm Monday to Saturday, closed on Sundays. Take the Long Island Expressway east to the last exit (73). Continue east on Route 58 (which becomes Route 25) for 14 miles (no turns). Wickham's Fruit Farm is on the right hand side after the red light in Cutchogue. Wickham's Fruit Farm Facebook page. They are about 90 miles east of New York City, on Long Island. Wickham's fruit is grown on some of the oldest continually cultivated land in the country, much of the farm dating from 1661. It is one of the largest farms on the North Fork, approximately 300 acres, of which 200 acres are in fruit, all of which is retailed at the farm. The emphasis is on fruit of the highest quality, and all fruit sold is guaranteed. The retail market is open usually from May through December from Monday through Saturday. Wickham's is closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas.Typical harvest dates are:Strawberries starting in early June. Cherries in early (cherry U-Pick: 10 am to 4 pm; Last Entry: 3:30 pm).Blueberries and Blackberries in July and August. Peaches in August.Pumpkins and Apples in October. PLEASE NOTE THAT NO PETS ARE ALLOWED IN THE ORCHARD . RULES: PLEASE Use only the containers we provide. NO PERSONAL BAGS, PLASTICS, etc ARE ALLOWED. Windy Acres - Apples, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, vegetables, peaches, nectarines, pumpkin patch (pick in the field), corn maze, petting zoo, horse drawn hay rides3810 Middle Country Rd, Calverton, NY 11933. Phone: (631) 727-4554. every day, from 9 am to 6 pm. See updates on Windy Acres Farm Facebook page. Birthday parties!Windy Acres is a family owned and run farm. the owner is a 4th generation farmer and her farm supplies local stores with her fresh produce. In the Spring we offer a variety of U-pick items starting with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Then going into the summer you can pick fresh tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. Going into the fall you can pick apples and pumpkins. See comments about this farm here! Woodside Farms Aquebogue - U-pick apples729 Main Rd, Aquebogue, NY 11931. Phone: 631-298-8896. U-Pick open Mid-September thru October while apples are available from 10:00 PM-5:00 Daily. Take the LIE (495) east to the last exit 73. Continue to head east on Route 58 to the traffic circle in Riverhead. Proceed straight on route 58 to route 105. Cross over 105 and continue east on route 25 approximately 3 miles to our Aquebogue location on the right hand side of the road. Bring your family and friends to enjoy the day on the North Fork by picking your own apples, at either our Jamesport or Aquebogue locations. After a visit to the orchard, stop by a local winery, visit a corn maze or pick your own pumpkins, all within 2 miles of the orchard. Choose from over ten different varieties of apples as they ripen, during the months of September and October. We open new areas of the orchard for picking every weekend, so there are plenty of apples for everyone throughout the season. All our trees are Semi- Dwarf! Your Youngest Apple Pickers Will have no trouble reaching the Apples. See comments about this farm here! Woodside Farms Jamesport - U-pick apples116 Manor Lane, Jamesport, NY 11947. Phone: 631-298-8896. U-Pick from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday; Mid-September thru October while apples are available. Take the LIE (495) east to the last exit 73. Continue to head east on Route 58 to the traffic circle in Riverhead. Proceed straight on Route 58 to Route 105. Cross over 105 and continue east on route 25 approximately 5 miles to the traffic light in Jamesport. Make the next left onto Manor Lane. Proceed 1/2 mile on Manor Lane. Orchard is on the right hand side of the road. Bring your family and friends to enjoy the day on the North Fork by picking your own apples, at either our Jamesport or Aquebogue locations. After a visit to the orchard, stop by a local winery, visit a corn maze or pick your own pumpkins, all within 2 miles of the orchard. Jamesport is open for U-pick weekends and certain holiday's only. Choose from over ten different varieties of apples as they ripen, during the months of September and October. We open new areas of the orchard for picking every weekend, so there are plenty of apples for everyone throughout the season. All our trees are Semi- Dwarf! Your Youngest Apple Pickers Will have no trouble reaching the Apples. See comments about this farm here!

 

Strawberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

strawberry pick-your-own field

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. strawberry picking bucket from Washington FarmsMost 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.


    strawberries, just picked from the fieldIf 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.Sttawberry bush with ripe strawberries, up close

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.how to pick strawberries

  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

close-up of the rows in a strawberry patch at at PYO strawberry fieldWhether 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

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 onstrawberries shown in different stages of ripeness 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.crowded parking at a Strawberry u-pick field
  • 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:

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)