2024 Northwestern Pennsylvania Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Northwestern Pennsylvania 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

Elk County

• Valley Farm Market - corn (sweet), strawberries, tomatoes,
  18211 Bennetts Valley Hwy, Weedville, PA 15868. Phone: 814-787-8911. Email: Valleyfarmmarket@alltel.net. Open: Farm Market Monday to Friday 6 am to 9 pm Saturday and Sunday 8 am to 9 pm; call for pick your own hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September is a unique convenience store. We have a deli, select groceries, soft ice cream, hard ice cream, slush puppies, gasoline, diesel, and kerosene. In season we have locally grown blueberries,strawberries, pick your own strawberries, sweet corn and tomatoes. Stop in and see our train room. You are able to operate an electric train which goes around the entire room. We are a dealer for Lionel, American Flyer, and MTH electric trains. A visitor writes on June 17, 2013: "I picked today June 17,2013. It was their first day to pick. To be quite honest, it looked like their last day of picking. The previous reviewer was correct. The 'rows' are terrible to follow. The weeds were everywhere and the berries were awful. I had planned on picking 2 flats..but only ended up picking one. They were super small and definitely not worth the effort. The nice berries were few and very far between. "
  Comments from a visitor on June 16, 2011: "According to the woman I spoke to, they do not accept credit or debit cards. They do accept checks and cash. Also, just to let you know it's not a very good place to pick. There are no real clear rows for strawberry picking and you have to dig through weeds, thistles to get to alot of the strawberry plants. For $ 1.59 a pound/quart it seems pricey considering you have to "find" alot of the strawberry plants amongst the weeds. I have been there a few times and keep hoping they will improved their fields, but they don't. I mean if you're going to have irrigation pipes, wouldn't you want to have nice clear rows of plants? They also tend to pick the choicest berries to sell at $3.99 a lb. Anyway, I am sorry to have to give you a negative report but people need to know what they are in for. I tried it again this year and after 2 hours of picking, I only managed 6 lbs and the berries were very small and the weeds I had to dig through were unbelievable. Just wasn't worth my time and effort. I don't mind the work involved in picking from plants but one shouldn't have to dig through a bunch of weeks. "

Erie County

• Finnell Farms - strawberries, Cider, farm market
  7840 Buffalo Road, Harborcreek, PA 16421. Phone: 814-899-8242. Email: farmlights@msn.com. Open: June 1 to November 1 from 9:30 am to 8 pm, daily. Click here for a map and directions. Also a farmers market with our famous sweet corn3/4 miles east of Harborcreek on Rt.20, on the north side of the Road.
• Mason Farms - Peas, Strawberries, Beans, Cucumbers for pickling, Greens, Tomatoes, Grapes, Pumpkins, Squash
  8603 West Lake Road, Lake City, PA 16423, PA 16506. Phone: (814)774-8592. Email: masonfarms@masonfarms.com. Directions: Located at 839 Peninsula Drive Erie, PA 16505 . Click here for a map and directions.
  Mason Farms Facebook page. . Pick-your-own runs from early June thru October from 9 am to Dusk. Pumpkintown USA is yearly set-up at the Country Market . Facebook page. Bring the whole family and pick your own fruits and veggies right from our fields! Our roadside stand is the center of our pick-your-own operation. The farm offers you the opportunity to "pick your own". Picking your own guarantees you the freshest, finest quality produce available at substantial savings. Bring the family and enjoy the sights and sounds of a fun-filled family outing. From our hearts to your table, enjoy the country goodness! Country Market with farm fresh produce, garden center and bakery. With 3 main farm market (already picked) locations throughout Erie, offers seasonal farm fresh produce, a large garden center, a nursery, and a bakery.
• Troyer's Strawberry Acres / Glenn Troyer Farms - strawberries, blackberries, pumpkins, cornmaze, U-pick and already picked
  13021 Flatts Road, Waterford, PA 16441. Phone: 814-796-2641. Open: Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 8 pm; Saturday from 8 am to 7 pm; Closed Sundays; Typically late June to July 4th. Directions: Take S.R. 97 South from Waterford to Flatts Road. Right on Flatts Road approximately 18 of a mile. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Troyer's Strawberry Acres / Glenn Troyer Farms Facebook page. Take S.R. 97 South from Waterford to Flatts Road. Right on Flatts Road approximately 1/8 of a mile Facebook page They have grown strawberries since 1979. At the field, customers have the option of picking their own or purchasing already picked https://www.troyersfarm.com/pick-your-own strawberries. Both pick-your-own and already picked strawberries are available in 1-quart and 4-quart baskets. Picking strawberries is a wonderful family activity, and we welcome families of all ages. Special areas set aside for young children (<9 yrs. old) enable families to stay together in the field while picking."Strawberry picking usually begins in May. 2024 Prices - Pick your own: $2.99/lb Pre-picked: $4.29/lbBlackberry picking usually begins mid-June through July. We have several varieties to help spread out the season.PYO pumpkins are available from mid-September through October. We grow different varieties and have them mixed throughout the field so when you go to get your perfect pumpkins, there is a beautiful selection to chose from. Sizes are from large to small. Sprinkle in a few gourds to add those finishing touches to your display. We also have a 10 acre corn maze for you to enjoy. (UPDATED: June 03, 2024) A visitor writes on June 03, 2024: "I went to Troyer Farms at 13021 Flatt Rd today. They no longer offer strawberry u pick. Just to give you the update.CORRECTION from Blake: it was only ythe end of the season - They WILL have them next year!

Mercer County

• Ferris Farm Produce, Inc. - corn (sweet), cucumbers, melons, onions, peppers, pumpkins, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelons, Fresh eggs
  83 Ferris Road, New Wilmington, PA 16142. Phone: (724) 971-0888. Email: jeanice@ferrisfarm.net. Open: Monday to Friday 8 am to 7 pm; Saturday and Sunday 8 am to 4 pm Please call to check for availability. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, SFMNP Vouchers.
  Ferris Farm Produce, Inc. Facebook page. Fax: (888) 251-6220 Monday to Saturday 9 am to 6 pm; Sunday - call for hours(ADDED: May 24, 2017)
• Pete's Berry Farm - blueberries and strawberries,
  2803 Winner Road, Clark, PA 16150. Phone: 724-962-2913. Open: See their Facebook page or Call for for hours and availability. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Pete's Berry Farm Get fresh strawberries or blueberries straight off of the bush. Pick them yourself or get them already picked..and don't forget to try our homemade glycerin soap!
  Comments from a visitor on July 27, 2011: "great organic, beautiful strawberries and blueberries..very nice and helpful"

Venango County

• Barber's Orchards - Strawberries, blueberries
  3394 State Route 417, Franklin, PA 16323. Phone: 814-676-6194. Click here for a map and directions. Barber's Orchards See their website or call for this year's dates, 8 am to 6 pm; Other dates to follow. Call ahead to order berries already picked. Seneca 814-678-7747

Warren County

• Lindell's Hatch Patch - strawberries, vegetables, maple syrup, farm market, ice cream
  Hatch Run Rd & Conewango Avenue, North Warren, PA 16365. Phone: 814-723-4620. Open: Summer hours Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm; We will be closed on Sundays to give our employees a day of rest and relaxation. Directions: Located on Route 957, the east side of Sugar Grove borough. 8am to 8pm. Farm market that features a greenhouse, pick-your-own strawberries and pumpkins, also sweet corn, potatoes and other fruits and vegetables. Farm market with Corn will be available on Sunday using the Express Pay Box located between the two overhead doors. Payment: Cash, Check and FMNP checks accepted. Local produce is arriving daily! Stop by to check out our selection! Fresh picked Cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash, cherrie - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check and FMNP checks accepted.
  Lindell's Hatch Patch Facebook page. . Alternate Phone (814) 757-8881 Located on Route 957, the east side of Sugar Grove borough. 8am to 8pm. Farm market that features a greenhouse, pick-your-own strawberries and pumpkins, also sweet corn, potatoes and other fruits and vegetables. Farm market with Corn will be available on Sunday using the Express Pay Box located between the two overhead doorsLocal produce is arriving daily! Stop by to check out our selection! Fresh picked Cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash, cherries, blueberries and more! Our family produces pure maple syrup every spring. Using traditional and new methods to collect and boil sap we achieve a quality product. Our syrup is available in a variety of sizes including: gallon, 1/2 gallon, quart, pint, half pint, 12 and 8 oz. Addie's Ice Cream is Home Made Deliciousness served right here at. Tom and Debbie Cooney, Owners of Cooney's Island Ice Cream in Ripley, NY make over 57 flavors of Addie's Ice Cream and we are proud to offer their product to the Warren areaFormerly called Wenzel's Hatch Patch. (UPDATED: August 7, 2020 JBS)

 

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