Pick Your Own Strawberries

Strawberry picking in Ontario is a ‘must do’ family activity. What could make a better family day trip than spending an afternoon with the kids outdoors, supporting local farmers and heading home with some delicious, sweet and healthy homegrown berries. It’s an affordable day out you’ll want to plan for every June. See below for local pick your own farms and strawberry picking tips.

Strawberry Picking Tips

1. Dress appropriately: Sunscreen and hats go without saying, but berry picking can be messy and you’ll spend quite a bit of time on your knees and walking – so be sure to wear comfortable clothing and footwear that you aren’t worried about getting dirty.
2. Bring your own containers: Not all farms provide baskets, so it’s best to bring your own. Shallow containers are best to avoid squashing.
3. Don’t overfill: Fruit can get heavy so be careful not to overfill you’ll end up with flattened, mushy berries near the bottom!
4. Pick carefully: Pick strawberries off the bush by twisting at the stem. Berries can bruise and be squashed easily so place them gently into your containers.
5. Call ahead: Check to be sure your farm is open for the day and inquire about the condition of the berries. Some farms will have automated messages, or even blogs with current conditions posted. Typically Strawberry season runs from mid June ending sometime in July.
6. Cleaning: Rinse your strawberries in a mixture of water and vinegar to kill off any molds or spores that can be on the surface, this will make your strawberries last up to whole week longer. Store your strawberries in the fridge.