Picking Strawberries at a Strawberry Farm Is Fun!
Consider a trip to your local strawberry farm, if you're looking for a wholesome, fun outing for the family. Not only will you be able to enjoy spending time outdoors and doing something different, but you'll also be able to savor one of nature's true delights--fresh picked strawberries.
No strawberry from a grocery store's plastic carton could possibly compare with the taste of sun-ripened strawberries right off the vine. When I was working at the strawberry farm in Finland , we would only eat the sweetest, reddest and sunbathed berries directly from the plant .
If you don't have the time or energy to grow your own plants, then visiting a strawberry farm is a great way to get that fresh-picked taste. Your pies and cakes will also taste better if you use fresh berries--that is, if you can keep your hands out of the bushel long enough to start baking!
Strawberries are grown all over the world, so finding a place nearby is never too difficult. Once you find one, learn when the usual picking season is. Most strawberry farms grow June-bearing strawberries, which only ripen once, during a three-to four-week period during the spring.
Call or visit their website to learn when the peak strawberry picking times are--many farms even have strawberry hotlines to let customers know which days are the best for a visit. The season might not be the same every year because of weather conditions, so don't plan your trip based on what the best days were during previous seasons.
If you miss the peak strawberry season at your local strawberry farm, you might still be able to bring the kids out for some fresh air and sunshine. Most strawberry farms grow other crops, such as blueberries, raspberries, pumpkins, and more.
Some even offer activities such as petting zoos or hayrides. If you've missed strawberry season, the farm's employees can let you know what other events are coming up.