Where can you pick-your-own local strawberries?
It's summer's first tease.
Better than a two-bite brownie and did you know it's not even a berry?
Queue the local strawberry.
There is strawberry ice cream, yogurt, jam and pie, but nothing can beat a freshly picked local strawberry now that everyone's favourite season is here.
Yes, strawberry fields are open and ready for picking. Top your strawberry shortcake with something fresh.
Here's list of where you can find local strawberries.
- Murphy's Country Produce, 2040 Guyatt Rd., Binbrook. PYO starts June 16 at 7:30 a.m. Market hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily for pre-picked berries and more. Harvest hotline: 905-692-5733. murphyscountryproduce.com
- Lindley's Farm & Market, 900 Fiddler's Green Rd., Ancaster. Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Prices for PYO start at $4.50 for one quart. Harvest hotline: 905-648-4212. lindleyfarm.com
- G and C Produce, 451 Book Rd. E., Ancaster. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during strawberry picking season. Pre-picked or pick your own. gandcproduce.ca
- Tigchelaar Berry Farms, 4161 Jordan Rd., Jordan Station. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and holidays, closed Sunday. Pick-your-own strawberries are $3.50/litre. Make sure your container is marked with measurements. 905-658-2265. tigchelaarberries.com
- Josmar Acres, 568 Lynden Rd., Lynden. PYO season starts Friday Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Closed on Sunday. Hours are 519-647-2025. josmaracres.com
- Austin's Pick Your Own, 2591 Cockshutt Rd., Waterford. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. 519-443-4909. austinspickyourown.com
- Meadow Lynn Farms, 80 Decou Rd., Simcoe. Hours are Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 519-426-4461. meadowlynnfarms.com
- Wholesome Pickins, 500 Church St. E., Delhi. Grows five different varieties of strawberries. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. 519-582-1114. wholesomepickins.ca
Most farms offer baskets to purchase or recommend bringing one from home.
Never gone strawberry picking before? Here are a few picking tips from Foodland Ontario.
First, don't squeeze the berry. Hold the stem between your thumb and index finder, carefully pinch and break it just above the strawberry.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com