Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in !

Find a local pick your own farm here!

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Pittsburgh and Southwestern 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.

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Allegheny County

Soergel Orchards - Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, pumpkins
2573 Brandt School Road, Wexford, PA 15237. Phone: 724-935-1743. Email: folks@soergels.com. Open: PYO is not available every day, so call ahead; Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 am to 7:30 pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 8:30 am to 6 pm. Click here for a map and directions.
Soergel Orchards Facebook page. Soergels is open year roundFacebook page. There is a market, bakery, deli, garden center, farm animals, mining sluice. Nearly one weekend each month there is a festival or special event. On Sundays in August there are Corn Roasts, October brings harvest festivals each weekend with hayrides, pony rides, horse drawn wagon rides, straw tunnel, moonwalk, duck pond, loads of festival food and more.
Triple B Farms - apples, blackberries, peaches, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (black), strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, Bouncy castle, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
823 Berry Lane, Monongahela, PA 15063. Phone: 724-258-3557. Email: info@triplebfarms.com. Open: Varies by crop, please call in advance of your visit. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, WIC Vouchers.
Triple B Farms Facebook page. Fax: 724-258-7899 Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesStrawberries: end of May to mid-June Raspberries: end of June to mid-July Peaches: August Blackberries: August Apples: September and October Pumpkins: end of September to OctoberAlways call for the exact date of ripening. Strawberries are usually ready in late May. Customers may pick their own berries or buy berries pre-picked in the farm's Country Market and Gift Shop. Raspberries are next in June! Always call ahead for the exact picking dates, but usually, red raspberry Pick Your Own is available before black raspberryUpick. Triple B provides you with containers, so the berries maintain their beautiful shape all the way home. Please note, the local Southwestern PA raspberry season lasts for only about three weeks, so hurry on out before they're all gone! Peaches ripen in late July. Triple B tries to offer one weekend of Pick Your Own Peaches for your family, but this does not always come to pass. Pick-your-own Apples are ready around Labor Day!

Indiana County

Ben's Strawberries - strawberries
1565 Campground Rd, Indiana, PA 15701. Phone: . Open: unknown, most likely starting in June; see their Facebook page. Click here for a map and directions. Phone: nonenone There is extremely little descriptive information available on their Facebook page; I'm afraid you just have keep checking their Facebook page for updates.
Elbel's Produce Farm - strawberries
Routes 119 and 210, south of Punxsutawney, PA . Phone: 814-938-5878. Click here for a map and directions. . Hours: 7 am to 8 pm, daily.

Washington County

Simmons Farm - apples, flowers, peaches, pumpkins, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, U-pick and already picked, farm market, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
17170 Simmons Rd, McMurray, PA 15317. Phone: 724-941-1490. Email: market@simmonsfarm.com. Open: Picking usually ends one hour before market closes. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, SFMNP Vouchers.
Simmons Farm Facebook page. Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesStrawberries Late May Early June Flowers Early Summer to Mid Fall Peaches Summer Apples Summer to Fall Pumpkins Begins September 21stChristmas Trees in Winter.
Trax Farms - strawberries, blueberries, or pumpkins
528 ax Road, Finleyville, PA 15332. Phone: 412-835-3246. Email: sales@traxfarms.com. Open: Monday through Saturday - 8AM to 8PM, Sunday - 8AM to 6PM, Starting November 1st, we start our Winter Hours: Monday through Saturday - 9AM to 7PM, Sunday - 9AM to 6PM. Directions: 12 miles south of Pittsburgh on Route 88. . Click here for a map and directions.
Trax Farms Facebook page. Facebook page. Our Strawberry crop covers 8 acres. Our sweet corn covers 85 acres, and is our largest crop on the farm. We offer Pick-Your-Own Crops. These crops start with strawberries in June, blueberries in July, and pumpkins during our Harvest Festival in October. With the Pick-Your-Own crops, you drive out to the field and "pick your own" . This is a great time to spend with your family! There are also fresh picked crops: We have 2250 apple trees and have 17 different varieties of apples. Our peach orchard covers 12 acres

Westmoreland County

Hillside Orchards - strawberries, U-pick and already picked, farm market
7217 Route 819, Mount Pleasant, PA 15666. Phone: (724) 547-2693. Open: Thursday thru Monday from 10am to 6pm; Please arrive for pick your own by 5pm as we close at 6pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, WIC Vouchers.
Sarver Hill Farm - certified organic, Farm market, PYO strawberries (by appointment), CSA, farm fresh eggs,
438 Old State Rte. 66, Greensburg, PA 15601. Phone: 724-834-2334. Click here for a map and directions. . The U-pick strawberries is by appointment only. The CSA has beets, peppers, radishes, Chinese greens, melons, pumpkins, eggs and meats and other veggies. Theirr Farmers Markets is now at:All Saints Brewery just up 119 from Lynchfield Park: Saturday Mornings will reopen April 29th, 9am, then April 29th to November 19thThursday Market on Rt 66 3-6pm, will begin June 1st & moves to our barn in November for Thanksgiving.CSA distributions : 24 week shares Begin May 18th , 20 week shares begin June 1st 2023.Our Free Range Eggs & other products are available year round in the barn(ADDED: April 25, 2023, 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:

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!
Leave early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
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.
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

Grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.
With the stem broken about one-half inch from the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.
Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries.
Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
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 field Whether you pick strawberries from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Be careful that your feet and knees do not damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of the row.
Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.
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.
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.
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.
For interesting and fun strawberry facts and trivia from the California Strawberry Commission, click here!

When you get home

DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them. Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
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.
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.
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
S trawberry-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

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

Find a pick-your-own farm near you! Then learn to can and freeze! Since 2002! We update continuously; Beware the copycat websites!