There is nothing better than the taste of a fresh picked strawberry in the summer. Like, literally…nothing better. People wait all year for the first strawberry shortcake, berries and cream, or to start jam making. This is why eating seasonally is so optimal, but be warned, it can/will ruin you for eating strawberries any other time of year. For many people strawberry picking on the South Shore is an annual tradition. 

I started taking my kids strawberry picking when they were very young. It’s really a terrific family activity. As they got older, it took a bit of bargaining….homemade strawberry jam for the year…if you guys come help me pick, seemed like a deal they could get behind. Take a friend with them…makes it more fun…and it’s a summertime memory every kid should have.

We are pretty fortunate here on the South Shore to have a couple of strawberry u-pick farms. Indian Garden Farms is located in Hebbville and also has green houses and a market where you can purchase other farm grown produce. You can check their Facebook page for advertised U-Pick times. They also have a raspberry u-pick later in the summer.

*Please note: As of 2018, Vissers Farm has ceased operation of their strawberry farm and will no longer be operating their u-pick. 

Vissers Farm is another family run strawberry u-pick. Known for their friendly staff, Vissers is a convenient stop if you are on your way to the cottage or to Kejimkujik National Park. If you’re picking at Vissers, stop at Wile’s Lake Farm Market on the way home to pick up some fresh tea biscuits and cream.

You also can’t beat the price- typically around $1.75/quart. A flat of beautiful, delicious, sweet berries for around $21.00! I usually go a few times each season. Once to pick berries to make jam, once for just eating and a little baking, strawberry bread is a favourite,  and ideally once more to put some in the freezer for over the winter. It’s a short season, generally only lasting 3-4 weeks, so you have to be ready and watch the websites and Facebook pages for their u-pick times.

Last year I also made my first trip to a Haskap U-pick and came home with some berries to make Haskap-Strawberry Freezer Jam.  Make a day of it and come to the South Shore and pick some summertime goodness! Do you pick strawberries at a u-pick? Do you make anything with them, or just enjoy eating them?