Pick-your-own strawberries in Bucks County: 2015

For the 2017 update of this post, CLICK HERE.

It’s strawberry season! Just think of biting into a juicy, ripe, berry that doesn’t need a tractor-trailer to reach your mouth!

Strawberries came much earlier this year than last year – most farms that grow them have them for sale and available for pick-your-own.

If you’re heading out to one of the many local farms that have PYO strawberries, here are some tips that may help:

• Always call before showing up at the farm (especially this early in the season). Depending on the weather, berries may not be ripe or may be picked out. Ask them if you need to bring your own containers. It isn’t a bad idea to check out a farm’s website, which usually has good information.
• Only pick firm, plump and fully red berries. Unripe strawberries won’t ripen after being picked. Grasp the stem just above the berry, between the forefinger and thumbnail. Then pull, with a slight twisting motion. Be gentle putting them in the container.
• Help out the farmers by removing any rotten, bug-eaten or other “bad” berries. Rot will spread quickly to the “good” berries.
• As far as strawberries are concerned, size DOESN’T matter. As long as they are completely red, they’re good to pick. Some even say that the smaller berries taste better.
• The best time to pick strawberries is early on a cool, cloudy day. They’ll last longer than in the heat. Plus, you won’t end up looking like a berry from sunburn!
• Once picked, keep them out of the sun and heat as much as possible. Cool them down as soon as you can. And never wash them until you’re ready to use them—moisture will hasten rotting. Here are some other tips on cleaning strawberries properly.
• Try not to pile the berries more than 5 inches deep in your container. The ones on the bottom will start to bruise from the weight.
• Don’t pick more than you’re going to use. Strawberries will quickly mold at room temperature and will only last a couple of days in the fridge. If you’re not going to use them right away, wash them, cut off the hulls and freeze them in a zipper bag (be sure to squeeze out as much air as possible).

Now that you know the ins and outs of PYO strawberries, it’s time to head to the farm. Here’s a list of some of the many Bucks County farms that offer PYO:

Brumbaugh’s Farm 2575 County Line Rd., Telford, PA 18969, 215.723.3508. Strawberries in season now; call before going to check on availability as it changes every day.

Hellerick’s Family Farm 5500 Easton Rd. (Rt. 611), Doylestown, PA 18902, 215.766.8388. Strawberries in season now; next date for pick-your-own is projected to be this Saturday, June 6. Call to check.

Manoff Market Gardens 3157 Comfort Rd., Solebury, PA 18963, 215.297.8220. Strawberries available for purchase now. Pick your own will start after June 8.

None Such Farm Market 4458 York Rd. (Rt. 263), Buckingham, PA 18912, 215.794.5201. Strawberries available for purchase now. Not available for PYO this year.

Peace Valley Winery 300 Old Limekiln Rd., Chalfont, PA 18914, 215.249.9058. Pick your own happening now! Call before going to check on availability as it changes from day to day.

Penn Vermont Fruit Farm Rt. 113 & Rolling Hills Rd., Bedminster, PA 18910, 215.795.2475. Pick your own projected to start in the next week or so. They’re putting updates on their facebook page and you can also check by calling 215.795.0230 and listening to the voice recording, which they will update as they know more.

Shady Brook Farm 931 Stony Hill Rd., Yardley, PA 19067, 215.968.1670. Pick your own strawberries now! Any time the market is open.

Solly’s Farm Market 707 Almshouse Rd., Ivyland, PA 18974, 215.357.2850. Strawberries available for purchase and pick your own now. Call ahead as it changes day-to-day.

Tabora Farm & Orchard 1104 Upper Stump Rd., Chalfont, PA 18914, 215.249.3016. Strawberries and pick your own available now. Call to check for availability.

The Market at Del Val by Shady Brook Farm 2100 Lower State Road, Doylestown, PA 18901, 215-230-7170. Pick your own strawberries (and in-store pre-picked berries) available now!

Trauger’s Farm Market Rt. 611, Kintnersville, PA 18930, 610.847.5702. Strawberries available for purchase now and pick your own now!

If we missed any, PLEASE let us know. We’ll update the post.