2024 West-Central Michigan Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in West-Central Michigan 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 a state have strawberries farms 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.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

New! We just went live with our latest website, FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings, Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

Ionia County

• Bird Berry Farm - blueberries, strawberries,
  5256 Belding Road, Belding, MI 48809. Phone: (616) 794-5041. Open: Check thier Facebook page for updates; it does not appear as though the publish regular hours; last known were Strawberry hours: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm; Saturday 8 am to 4 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm; Blueberry hours Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm, Saturday 8 am to 4 pm, closed on Sunday. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Bird Berry Farm 2 1/2 miles east of Belding on the corner of Belding Road (M-44) and Johnson RoadStrawberries: early June to early July, Blueberries: early July to middle/late August. Pick-your-own strawberries are sold by the pound. You buy and pick into our U-pick boxes. Ready-picked are sold in quarts and 8 quart flats. Pick-your-own blueberries are also sold by the pound. You buy and pick into our plastic bags that fit into pails. Ready-picked blueberries are sold by the quart and 10 pound boxes. We encourage people to call and order their ready-picked berries. (UPDATED: April 18, 2018, JBS) (UPDATED: June 16, 2016, JBS)
• Hanulcik Pick Your Own Apple Orchard - apples, strawberries, raspberries, peaches
  740 Dildine Road, Ionia, MI 48846. Phone: (616) 527-3630. Email: hanulcikfarm@gmail.com. Open: Dates and hours of operation vary, please visit our website or Facebook page for info. Directions:. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, WIC Vouchers.
  Hanulcik Pick Your Own Apple Orchard Facebook page. Dates and hours of operation vary, please visit our website or Facebook page for info Click here for a map and directionsPayment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, WIC Vouchers Facebook pageApple season runs from mid September through October;We use integrated pest management practicesThis third generation family farm pick-your-own apple orchard is open on SELECTED WEEKENDS only during harvest timesDates and hours of operation vary during the seasonThe pick your own apple orchard is located only about 1/4 of a mile WEST of our farm market location on State RoadOur apple orchard at 740 Dildine Road is located on the ORIGINAL Hanulcik Farm started in 1936We grow over 12 apple varieties; including HoneyCrisp, Gala, and the hard to find heirloom variety NORTHERN SPY appleApple season runs from mid-September through OctoberWe’re OPEN SEASONALLY June-November:- SEPTEMBER: APPLE & RASPBERRY season- SEPT.-NOV: APPLE, SQUASH, and PUMPKINS.- JULY-SEPT: PEACH, STONE FRUIT & PEARS.- JULY-AUGUST: SUNFLOWER season.- MID-JUNE-JULY: STRAWBERRY SEASON.(UPDATED: August 12, 2021)
• KlineKrest Certified Organic Produce - Certified Organic, apples, aronia berries, Asian Pears, blueberries, cherries, gooseberries, other berries, pears, peaches, plums, strawberries, tayberries, Other fruit or veg, U-pick and already picked
  1067 Somers Road, Lyons, MI 48851. Phone: (616) 902-1587. Email: LarryEKlines@gmail.com. Directions: From M66 in Ionia, go to Riverside Drive, then East to Somers Road. Turn South, and go .2 mile to KlineKrest Pvt Road. \(On east side of Somers Road\). Follow Pvt road to bottom of hill. Appointments required. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. UPDATE for 2021, Their website is gone and there's nothing else about them that is current on the internet - I presume they have closed. Does anyone have current information? If so, please write me. Monday to Friday at 9 am June 1 thru November 14 ? Saturdays from 9am to 1pm at either Ionia or Portland, MI CSA Farmers Market; Appointments required.From M66 in Ionia, go to Riverside Drive, then East to Somers Road. Turn South, and go .2 mile to KlineKrest Pvt Road. (On east side of Somers Road). Follow Pvt road to bottom of hill. Appointments requiredSee our home page for approximate monthly harvest dates; Current prices are listed on our website; Appointments are required; Call first;. We are certified organic for all crops! Appointments are required. Many unusual small fruits and berries. 45 varieties of Culinary, Medicinal, Native herbs. (ADDED: June 06, 2020)

Isabella County

• Papa's Pumpkin Patch - Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, sweet cherries, pumpkins, corn maze
  3909 S Summerton Road, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858. Phone: (989) 773-4345. Email: contact@papasfamilyfarm.com. Open: all year, Fri-Sunfrom 3 pm to 6 pm; in season daily 3pm-dark, Fri-Sun 11am-dark. Directions: From Mission St. in Mt. Pleasant, go 2 mi. E on Broomfield Road, then 18 mi. N to S Summerton Road. From US-127 take M-20 go E 12 mi. to Summerton Road, then S on Summerton Road approx. 2 mi. to 3909 S. Summerton. Papa\'s Pumpkin Patch is the home of the Michigan Maze and Michigan\'s Field of Dreams. Visit Michigan\'s largest display of farm toys and collectibles, pumpkins, gourds, crafts, and other fall decorations. Hayrides and gator train rides available. Group tours by appointment. Chi - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. Papa's Pumpkin Patch Alternate phone: (989) 854-1041 From Mission St. in Mt. Pleasant, go 2 mi. E on Broomfield Road, then 1/8 mi. N to S Summerton Road. From US-127 take M-20 go E 1/2 mi. to Summerton Road, then S on Summerton Road approx. 2 mi. to 3909 S. Summerton. is the home of the Michigan Maze and Michigan's Field of Dreams. Visit Michigan's largest display of farm toys and collectibles, pumpkins, gourds, crafts, and other fall decorations. Hayrides and gator train rides available. Group tours by appointment. Children and adults have enjoyed hayrides, farm parties, rides on the Pumpkin Train, shopping in the Toy Store, playing in the playground center and much more. In June, Strawberry season is in full swing, u-pick or we pick open officially from 10am to 6pm, on nice weather days we start earlier and end later. Join us July 4th to watch the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe fireworks display from the mountain. Raspberries and blackberries are a couple weeks later in mid June as are traverse city sweet cherries. If you want to order tart cherries, just let us know! We also have many bakery items, cookies, pies and breads!

Kent County

• Ed Dunneback & Girl's Farm - apples, strawberries, pumpkins, apple cider doughnuts
  3025 6 mile Road, NW Grand Rapids, MI 49544. Phone: 616-784-0058. Email: dunnebackfruit@aol.com. Open: We do offer U-pick for strawberries, sweet cherries, apples and pumpkins in season; Strawberries available mid-June, Please feel free to contact us for specific picking hours and availability. Directions: Located approx. Click here for a map and directions. A great way to keep up with what is going on at the farm is our fan page on Facebook, so please "Like" us today! Apples, strawberries (u-pick and ready-picked), asparagus, sweet cherries, apple cider, caramel apples, donuts, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, cornstalks, Indian corn, straw bales, recipes, play area, miscellaneous farm market items and more! mid-May thru Oct. seasonal hours. Please call for more information. 10 minutes NW of downtown Grand Rapids, Exit 26 (Fruit Ridge Ave.) off I-96, travel 3 miles to 6 Mile Road, Go east on 6 Mile Road, 1-1/4 miles to farm at corner of Peach Ridge Ave. . Come pick your own, or call ahead and order them all packed and ready to go. ((UPDATED: October 12, 2019, JBS)
• Krupp Farms - raspberries, strawberries, and prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo
  8025 Krupp Avenue, Comstock Park, MI 49321. Phone: 616-887-8271. Email: Paul@kruppfarms.com. Open: U-pick Monday to Saturday starting at 7am. Directions: See our website for directions or Take 131 Expressway North to Post Drive, exit #95, take a left, go to Pine Island Drive, take a right to 9 Mile Road, take a left and go until you reach Krupp Avenue, take a right farm is one half mile on lefthand side. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Krupp Farms Facebook page. Fax: 616-887-5334. Click here for a map to our farm. Crops are usually available in June, July, August Call for afternoon availability. Picked berries Monday to Saturday 8 am to 6 pm, call to place your order. Closed on Sunday. Asparagus Fresh Snapped May into June Strawberries U-pick or picked June into July Raspberries U-pick or picked July into August Rhubarb picked July into August Farm fresh, snapped Asparagus, May into June; Strawberries, U-pick and picked June into July; Rhubarb and Raspberries, July into August. Visit our petting zoo and ice cream shop. Handicapped accessible, restrooms available. Since 1916, has raised strawberries, and more recently, asparagus and raspberries on our fourth generation farm. While not a totally organic farm, we employ many ecologically friendly practices such as fertilizing our crops with fish, sugar, garlic and compost, the result being a soil system able to raise healthy plants, and generate produce with wonderful flavor
• Morse Brothers - strawberries, pumpkins
  , 5032 Peach Ridge Avenue NW Grand Rapids, MI 49544. Phone: 616-325-8698. Open: strawberries, u-pick and already picked in June; pumpkins in October. Click here for a map of the area. Fresh Michigan strawberries in the summer (June-July) and pumpkins & gourds during the month of October!

Mason County

• Orchard Market - apples, strawberries
  8400 N. US 31, Free Soil, MI 49411. Phone: (231) 464-5534. Email: office@orchardmarket.us. Open: May 1 through Labor Day, daily 8 am to 7 pm, After Labor Day: Close 6 pm. Click here for a map and directions. May 1 through Labor Day, daily 8 am to 7 pm, (After Labor Day: Close 6 pm). Last day for U-Pick Strawberries is Friday, July 1 from 8 am to 2 pm.We grow fruits and vegetables on our 250 acre farm. Crops include: strawberries (u-pick available), peaches, sweet corn, apples, cabbage, squash, pumpkins, broccoli, etc. Apple varieties include: Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Mutsu, Gala, Cortland, Empire, Golden & Red Delicious, Jonagold and Jonathan. We also have a farm market in Ludington, Michigan

Montcalm County

• Anderson & Girls Orchards - cherries, pumpkins, strawberries, apples
  2985 N Sheridan Road, Stanton, MI 48888. Phone: 989-831-4228. Email: andergirls@cmsinter.net. Open: April- December , daily 9 am to 6pm. Directions: 3 mi. N of Stanton or 5 mi. S of M-46 on M-66. Some U-Pick is limited: strawberries \(one weekend\), apples \(one weekend\). We have a wide variety of items to offer. Anything from apples & peaches to jams & jellies. Our upstairs is filled with beautiful gifts. Stop by our bakery for a fresh pie & donut. The petting area has lots of animals waiting for your visit. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Anderson & Girls Orchards Facebook page. 3 mi. N of Stanton or 5 mi. S of M-46 on M-66. Some U-Pick is limited: strawberries (one weekend), apples (one weekend). We have a wide variety of items to offer. Anything from apples & peaches to jams & jellies. Our upstairs is filled with beautiful gifts. Stop by our bakery for a fresh pie & donut. The petting area has lots of animals waiting for your visit. Anderson and Girls Orchards facebook page.
• Watts Orchard - U-pick apples and strawberries (I haven\'t confirmed that they are pick-your-own)
  Off Washburn Street, Howard City, MI . Phone: 231-937-4094. Open: May to December; Sunday and Saturday 7 am to 7 pm, everyday including Sundays and holidays. Click here for a map and directions. We have all home-grown fruits and vegetables that are in season, plus, approximately 500 other farm related items. Country atmosphere in the middle of an orchard farming operation. Weekend bake goodsTake Exit 118 E. to Howard City city limits, turn right, first road follow signs into market or take old federal highway, Washburn Street, follow signs into orchard farm market (1/4 mile off federal or 1/4 mile off M-82, follow signs, market is in center.

Muskegon County

• Dietrichs Harvest Basket - strawberries, apples, pumpkins w/wagon rides
  Apple Avenue, Casnovia, MI . Phone: 616-675-5384. Open: May-October 31, daily, 9 am to 6 p. Click here for a map and directions. . We offer u-pick strawberries, asparagus, blueberries, sweet corn, peaches, u-pick apples, u-pick pumpkins w/wagon rides, picnic areas and a petting zoom. Weekend hours varyWe are located on M-46 (Apple Ave.) just W of M-37 & M-46 junction in Casnovia. We are E of Muskegon & NW of Grand Rapids.

Newaygo County

• Brooks Berry Patch - strawberries,
  6250 S. Warner Ave, Fremont, MI 49412. Phone: (231) 923-3967. Email: brooksberrypatch@gmail.com. Open: See their Facebook page. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Going into Fremont on right side, just past True North. May to June(ADDED: September 03, 2021)
• Heritage Farms - strawberries, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, school tours
  1858 S. Maple Island Road, Fremont, MI 49412. Phone: 231-854-3276. Email: heritage@ncats.net. Open: May through October: Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 8 pm, and Sunday 11 am to 6 pm November and December : Monday to Saturday 9 am to 6 pm , and Sunday 11 am to 5 pm. Directions: 3.5 miles South of Hesperia on M-120; 10 miles NW of Fremont, take 82 West, turn right on M-120 and go 3.5 miles; 25 miles North of Muskegon, take 31 North to the Fremont M-120 exit, turn right and stay on M-120 for 25 miles. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. Fax: 231-854-1425. Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, October Strawberries: May to June; Corn maze is open in October; Hayrides are on the weekends or by reservation during the week; Our market is open until Christmas EveWe carry seasonal fruits and vegetable, honey, jams, maple syrup, bulk spices, bakery goodies, cheese, jerky. (UPDATED: September 19, 2019, JBS)
• Nelson's Farm Market - pyo strawberries, cherries (possibly other pyo fruit, too)
  11108 Gordon Avenue, Grant, MI 49327. Phone: 231-834-8441. Click here for a map and directions. .
  Comments from a visitor on August 19, 2008: "Just wanted to let u know that nelson's also has a great spot for kids with Llamas, goats, chickens, sheep, donkies, piggies, etc."

Oceana County

• Veenstra Farm - strawberries,
  8515 200th Avenue, Holton, MI 49425. Phone: 231-821-0182. Email: veenstrafarm@ncats.net. Open: Please call for availability; Projected: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 7 am to 7 pm Saturday 7 am to 3 pm Strawberries: Mid June through the first of July Payment: Cash, only. Directions: 8515 200th Avenue, Holton, MI 49425. From the corner of M-82 and M-120 go one mile north on M-120 then turn left on Roosevelt Road. Go one mile to 200th Avenue and turn right then go one quarter mile and turn left on Strawberry Lane. \(We are 6 miles west and 1 14 north of Fremont, MI\). . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Veenstra Farm From the corner of M-82 and M-120 go one mile north on M-120 then turn left on Roosevelt Road. Go one mile to 200th Avenue and turn right then go one quarter mile and turn left on Strawberry Lane. (We are 6 miles west and 1 1/4 north of Fremont, MI) Berries are sold by the pound. Please bring containers to take your berries home in

Ottawa County

• Cook's Strawberries - strawberries
  13353 - 60th Avenue, Coopersville, MI 49404. Phone: 616-837-8764. Email: cookie@allcom.net. Open: Call for availability for days and picking hours, also for already picked berries. Directions: I-96 Coopersville exit, turn south to Leonard Street, east one mile to 60th Avenue, turn right and farm is on the right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Comments from a visitor on July 04, 2011: "My family and I went to Cooks late in the season and where very impressed! We picked them ourselves and where very happy with them. Can't wait to make jam with them in a couple days!"
• De Lange's Farm - strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins
  5723 Port Sheldon, Hudsonville, MI . Phone: 616-875-6026. Email: dlredberryfarm@gmail.com. Open: June; September and OctoberUpick days are Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Click here for a map and directions. 9am to3pm; ​The market is open from 9am to 7pm Monday to Saturday with the fall raspberries and everbearing strawberries. We also have mums, corn stalks, straw bales, gourds and pumpkins for your fall decorations. Our Concord grapes are ready and in the market. ​The season goes well into OctoberLots of strawberries in June, pick your own or we will pick for you. Red raspberries in August and September, then along with the pumpkins, squash, apples, gourds, and other fall attractionsDeLanges is 3 miles W. of Hudsonville on Port Sheldon St. 1/4 mile W. of 56th Ave. From Holland, N. on US-31 to Port Sheldon Street, then E. about 10 miles. (UPDATED: September 19, 2019, JBS)
• DK Orchards - apricots, blueberries, peaches, winter squash, strawberries, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food
  18203 - 8th Avenue, Conklin, MI 49403. Phone: 616-899-5400. Email: dkorchards@gmail.com. Open: Fall Hours: M,W,F 9-7pm Sat 9-5pm. Directions: North of I-96 on 8th Avenue about 5 miles. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. the farm's own page says "Hope to see you soon. Please call before coming out - don't rely on the internet because I don't always have a chance to update it".NEW Hours: Mid June - Labor Day: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 8am to 5pm; Labor Day - Halloween: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm; Halloween - Christmas: Wednesday 10am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 5pm; After Christmas call for appointment; Always Closed on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday We offer free wagon rides for u-pick. Corn maze for kids 12yrs & younger. A giant chair in front of the old farm house for pictures. Picnic area. Restrooms, Fresh Cider during apple time. No additional fees. Please call ahead for a U-pick schedule. All Apples are Pre-picked; apple varieties: Paula Red, Ginger Gold, Gala, McIntosh, Cortland, Empire, Jonalicious, Jonagold, Ida Red, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Spigold, Northern Spy, Fuji, Honeycrisp and many more available in the fruit stand already picked. Other Fruit: U-pick strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, raspberries and peaches. We also grow Apricots, Stanley Prunes, Pears, Nectarines and many types of vegetables. (formerly Vince Brown Farms) (UPDATED: September 19, 2019, JBS) A visitor writes on August 26, 2013: "This is regarding the, formally Vince Brown Farms. We go there every year for the tractor ride to the u-pick apples and were very disappointed to discover that they no longer offer U-pick apples. You can only buy them from their front bins. Thought people might want to know. Love your site - very helpful! :)"
  Comments from a visitor on July 13, 2011: "The other comment about them no longer offering u-pick apples is wrong. Only near the end of the season do they stop..I was just there picking raspberries today and she confirmed it.Thanks!
  Comments from a visitor on October 07, 2010: "According to the answering machine, this farm no longer offers u-pick apples. Too bad :( Our family really enjoyed the orchard last year. "
  Comments from a visitor on July 25, 2010: "We visited in Michigan (northwest of Grand Rapids) and had a great time. We were first-timers and the woman there was very helpful and patient. The store there has samples and great produce for sale. The farm is out in farmland and not right off the highway, which made it a nice drive and good for kids to see other farms nearby."
• Peacefull Acres Ranch - 2023 permanently closed pumpkins, strawberries
  11195 Rich Street, West Olive, MI 49460. Phone: 616-895-5428. Email: sgeurink@altelco.net. Open: permanently closed. Directions: Farm is located between Lake Michigan and Allendale, MI just off M-45 \(Lake Michigan Drive\) Turn north on 112th Street and proceed one half mile North. The farm is located on the North side of the Street at the corner of 112th and Rich Street. . Click here for a map and directions. .UPDATE for 2023, There is NOTHING current about them ANYWHERE on the Internet so I assume they have (or are the world's most clueless businessmen); If you have any current information, please write me, Farm is located between Lake Michigan and Allendale, MI just off M-45 (Lake Michigan Drive) Turn north on 112th Street and proceed one half mile North. The farm is located on the North side of the Street at the corner of 112th and Rich Street. Click here for a map to our farm. We are open June, September, October. Our hours are: All U-Pick request need to be arranged. Please call. Phone: to make U-P reservations.
• Visser Farms - blueberries, strawberries, daffodils, sunflowers, tulips, zinnias, Basil, Mint, Honey from hives on the farm, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, restrooms, WiFi is available, Cell service cell phones work here, CSA, barrel train, No dogs allowed except for service animals, school tours
  7600 112th Ave, Holland, MI 49464. Phone: 616/875-8559. Alternate Phone: 616/322-4949. Email: info@visserfamilyfarms.com. Open: Monday to Wednesday from 10 am to 4 pm, Thursday and Friday from 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday 9 am to 2 pm; Closed Sunday.Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Corn Maze is open Mid- September through October; Strawberry season is Mid-June - July; Blueberries are mid July - August;. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, All credit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, AndroidPay, ApplePay, CashApp, Venmo, SFMNP Vouchers, SNAP Vouchers. Please bring your own shallow containers. Containers that are too deep will cause the bottom berries to be crushed by their own weight. We have flats/quarts available, but there is an extra charge for them. No appointments are necessary to pick strawberries! Just drive right out to the fields and someone will greet you at the Berry Shack and get you started. Sustainable Farming: We strive to only use chemicals when the quality of the crop is threatened by pests or disease. We use biological and natural disease prevention solutions as much as possible. This helps minimize exposure to unnecessary chemicals and to ensure that your produce is healthy, nutritious, and delicious
  Visser Farms Facebook page.
  Visser Farms Instagram page.
  Visser Farms twitter page.
  (UPDATED: August 27, 2024)  (ADDED: June 25, 2018, Suggested by a visitor)

 

Strawberry

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