Strawberry Harvesting
Part the leaves with your hands to find the berries inside the plant.
For best flavour pick all full red berries, including smaller ones which tend to be sweeter.
To avoid bruising the berry, pick by pinching the stem rather than pulling the berry.
Leave the cap attached to prevent spoilage. Avoid rough repeated handling. Refrigerate as soon as possible.
When you visit our U-pick, here are some suggestions to make the day enjoyable:
• Dress:
Wear loose, comfortable clothing such as a long sleeved shirt and pants.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing such as a long sleeved shirt and pants.
• Cooler:
Bring a picnic cooler with ice packs to keep those berries just right until you get home
Bring a picnic cooler with ice packs to keep those berries just right until you get home
• Bugs and Sun:
Remember those UV rays - wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Bring some mosquito repellent, just in case.
Remember those UV rays - wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Bring some mosquito repellent, just in case.
• Call Ahead:
It is a good idea to call ahead to be sure we have a good supply of what you want today - don't go home disappointed!
It is a good idea to call ahead to be sure we have a good supply of what you want today - don't go home disappointed!
• Storage of Berries:
Berries store better unwashed. Do not wash until immediately before use. Store in refrigerator in shallow containers, loosely covered. Use within two or three days
Berries store better unwashed. Do not wash until immediately before use. Store in refrigerator in shallow containers, loosely covered. Use within two or three days
Children are welcome but must be supervised by an adult. Please leave Rover at home!
Sit while you pick!
Carts are available for your picking comfort
2009 Strawberry Prices (done for the season)
U-pick $13.50/4L ice-cream pail, buy 2 or more pails at a time and pay $11.00/4L pail
(bring your own pail and get a $1.00 credit per pail)
Pre-picked $20.00/4L pail, buy 2 or more pail at a time and pay $18.00/4L pail.
We pick every Thursday morning (during strawberry season) for Farmers market. If you want pre-picked berries please call ahead and reserve your pails.
Payment can be made by Cash, Interac, Visa or Mastercard
Strawberry Fun Facts
Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.
The average strawberry has 200 seeds.
The ancient Romans believed that strawberries alleviated symptoms of melancholy, fainting, all inflammations, fevers, throat infections, kidney stones, bad breath, attacks of gout, and diseases of the blood, liver and spleen.
To symbolize perfection and righteousness, medieval stone masons carved strawberry designs on altars and around the tops of pillars in churches and cathedrals.
In parts of Bavaria, country folk still practice the annual rite each spring of tying small baskets of wild strawberries to the horns of their cattle as an offering to elves. They believe that the elves are passionately fond of strawberries, and will help to produce healthy calves and an abundance of milk in return.
Madame Tallien, a prominent figure at the court of the Emperor Napoleon, was famous for bathing in the juice of fresh strawberries. She used 22 pounds per basin. Needless to say, she did not bathe daily.
Strawberries are the first fruit to ripen in the spring.
There is a museum in Belgium just for strawberries.
Strawberries are a member of the rose family.
Ninety-four percent of US households consume strawberries.
Strawberries are low fat, low calorie; high in vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, potassium
Strawberries, as part of a 5 a day fruit & vegetable program, can help reduce the risk of cancer & heart attacks.
In medieval times, strawberries were served at important functions to bring peace & prosperity.
Folk lore states that if you split a double strawberry in half and share it with the opposite sex, you’ll soon fall in love.
In France, Strawberries were thought to be an aphrodisiac. A soup made of strawberries, thinned sour cream, borage, & powdered sugar was served to newlyweds.
Over 53 percent of seven to nine-year-olds picked strawberries as their favorite fruit.
Integrated Pest Management - Beneficial Insects
If you see these little helpers in the berry patch while you are picking strawberries, give them a pat on the head, a little thank you and send them on their way.
Beneficial insects are an important part of integrated pest management, helping us to eliminate the need for insecticide usage on our fruit by controlling the pest insect population.
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U-pick
Come...taste a little bit of heaven
