2024 Huntsville and northern Alabama Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Huntsville and northern Alabama in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for strawberries that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have strawberries farms that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

New! We just went live with our latest website, FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings, Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

Dekalb County

• Gilbert Strawberry Farm - Strawberries
  Hwy 40 East, Henagar, AL 35978. Phone: (256) 657-5581. Open: Monday to Saturday, 7 am to until dusk. Directions: approximately 14 mi. east of the Henagar red light on Hwy 40 E, Co Rd 134. Click here for a map and directions. approximately 1/4 mi. east of the Henagar red light on Hwy 40 E, Co Rd 134 We pick April 20 to May then we open for U-Pick in June.
• Talley's Farm - pumpkins, strawberries, tomatoes, U-pick and already picked, school tours
  460 County Road 129, Crossville, AL 35962. Phone: 256-303-8888. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 7 am to 6 pm, April 10 to October 31. Directions: Located 1 mile off Highway 75 between Albertville and Geraldine. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Strawberries: April 10 to June 10Notes: Strawberries $8 u-pick $10 we-pick, potatoes, melons, peaches, vegetables, and autumn decorations. (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS)

Lawrence County

• LouAllen Farms - strawberries
  1974 County Road 177, Moulton, AL 35650. Phone: 256-974-0078. Email: loualllw@yahoo.com. Open: July 1 through September 1 from 7 AM to 7 pm Monday through Saturday. Directions: From Moulton, go West on Court Street \(County Road 460\) 2.5 miles, turn onto County Road 177, and go 1 mile to orchard on your left.Typical . Click here for a map and directions.
  LouAllen Farms Facebook page. . Alternate phone: 256-898-4156 (cell) From Moulton, go West on Court Street (County Road 460) 2.5 miles, turn onto County Road 177, and go 1 mile to orchard on your left.Typical crops: Peaches, sweet corn and field corn, field peas, watermelons, green beans, okra If you've ever wanted to pick your own vine-ripened , or fill a basket with tree-ripened peaches, or pick your own perfect watermelon, we would love to have you visit us. There's no better way to appreciate the value of homegrown produce than to harvest it yourself. Feel free to bring your children and let them experience nature, hands-on!! Please call or email for detailed information concerning what's in season and current availability. (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS)

Madison County

• Brown Farms - strawberries, U-pick and already picked, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food
  384 Walnut Grove Road, New Market, AL 35761. Phone: 256-828-0710. Open: Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 6, Sunday, 12 to 6 weather permitting; strawberries in April and May,. Directions: From Huntsville take Hwy 231 North Hazel Green, turn right at traffic light onto Joe Quick Rd then left on walnut Grove Road. Farm is on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS)
• Turner Farms - Strawberries
  9706 Wall-Triana Highway, Harvest, AL 35749. Phone: 256-722-9077. Email: jbt722@aol.com. Open: May 1 through November 1 from 9 AM until 5 pm, Monday through Saturday. Directions: From Huntsville, AL take Highway 53 North approximately 12 miles. Turn left onto Jim McKlemore Road. At second stop sign, turn right onto Wall-Triana Hwy. Turn left at 1st house on left \(# 9706\). Notes: Other harvested . Click here for a map and directions. Turner FarmsFax: 256-722-9037 From Huntsville, AL take Highway 53 North approximately 12 miles. Turn left onto Jim McKlemore Road. At second stop sign, turn right onto Wall-Triana Hwy. Turn left at 1st house on left (# 9706). Notes: Other harvested crops available at our farm market: green beans, sweet corn, purple hull peas, squash, tomatoes, peppers, turnip greens, kale, mustard, collards, broccoli, cauliflower. (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS)

Marshall County

• Maggie Valley Berry Patch and Farms - blackberries, strawberries, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  458 Babe Wright Road, Grant, AL 35747. Phone: 256-728-2723. Email: hog7@charter.net. Open: See our website or call for current hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, SFMNP Vouchers. Maggie Valley Berry Patch and Farms Alternate Phone: 256-738-7958 Strawberries should be available about April 20 until May 30; Blackberries are available June 10 until about August; Muscadines are available from late August until OctoberNotes: We are available for special events such as garden clubs, church or school groups. Call for information. See us on facebook for regular updates
• Phillips Farms - strawberries, already-picked produce
  1825 Bethel Church Road, Guntersville, AL 35976. Phone: 256-572-4746. Email: bdphillips03@netzero.net. Open: Strawberries: Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8 am to 7 pm; from May 1, 2010 thru June 30, 2010. Directions: From Guntersville via highway 69 turn right onto Georgia Mountain Road in Warrenton. Go 2.3 miles turn left onto Bethel Church Road. Farm is first on the right. From Arab via Highway 69 turn left onto Georgia Mountain Road before going down the mountain. Turn right onto Bethel Church Road. Go 1.8 miles and farm will be on the left. Follow signs from highway. For a map to our farm, . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, WIC Vouchers, SFMNP Vouchers. Strawberries: April 20 to June 20

Morgan County

• E & J Farms - peppers, summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes,
  63 Parks Chapel Rd, Lacey\'s Spring, AL 35754. Phone: (256) 326-8610. Email: edwardsmith1731@att.net. Open: Monday - Saturday, from 8:38 am to 5:00, April to June 1 and the July 1 to August 15. Directions: We are one mile south of the Tennessee River Bridge on Highway 231, located on the East side of the road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Alternate Phone: (256) 683-4544 Strawberry season is usually the middle of April through the end of May and our other produce is usually available around July 1 through the middle of August; Everything depends on the weather;(UPDATED: July 30, 2018)
• Kenneth Golden Farms - beans, broad beans, broccoli, corn (sweet), melons, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables,
  173 Bates Road, Eva, AL 35621. Phone: 256-297-0536. Email: kgfarms30@yahoo.com. Open: Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 7 pm, May 1 to October 31. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Strawberries: May 1 to June 15
• Reeves Peach Farm - Strawberries, pumpkins, tomatoes
  447 Hwy 36E, Hartselle, AL 35640. Phone: (256) 773-9479. Open: April 1-October 31, Daily, 8 am to 7 pm. Directions: Hwy 36 East three quarters of a mile east of I-65 \(exit 328\), . Click here for a map and directions.
  Reeves Peach Farm Facebook page. Hwy 36 East three quarters of a mile east of I-65 (exit 328), Strawberry season starts late April. Our strawberries are picked fresh each day and we also have Pick-Your-Own. We harvest each peach variety over a 7-10 day period. This allows for us to harvest peaches continuously for about 15 weeks.Strawberries are harvested from around April 15th until June 10th. The varieties we grow are Chandler and Camarosa. We have berries available at our market, but we also allow customers to pick their own. We also grow plums, watermelon, cantaloupes, tomatoes, squash, sweet corn and other vegetables. Please watch our Facebook page or subscribe to our newsletter for other crop ripening notifications. Strawberry season starts late April, and goes through May. Our strawberries are picked fresh each day and we also have Pick-Your-Own. (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS)
• Vest U Pick It - beans, broccoli, cucumbers, eggplants, peas, peppers, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, other vegetables, Honey from hives on the farm, U-pick and already picked, farm market
  3181 Eva Road, Eva, AL 35621. Phone: 256-796-2070. Open: Monday to Saturday 7 am to 5 pm Mid April Thursday Mid November. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, SFMNP Vouchers. Vest U Pick It (UPDATED: July 15, 2016, JBS)

 

Strawberry

Strawberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

In the U.S. strawberries typically peak during April in Florida and Texas, May in the deep South, and in early June in middle sections and later June in the far North and Canada. Keep in mind that crops are ready at various times of the month depending on which part of the state you are located. In order to produce good local strawberries, producers depend on ideal spring weather conditions. 

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - strawberries are affected by weather (both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
2. Leave early.  On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
    
3. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for strawberries, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
   
   
   If you use your own containers, remember that heaping strawberries more than 5 inches deep will bruise the lower berries. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
4. Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

Tips on How to Pick Strawberries

1. Grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.

2. With the stem broken about one-half inch from the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.

3. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. 

4. Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.

5. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down.

General Picking Tips

Whether you pick strawberries from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Be careful that your feet and knees do not damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of the row.
   
2. Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.
   
3. To help the farmers, also remove from the plants berries showing rot, sunburn, insect injury or other defects and place them between the rows behind you. If they are left in the plants, the rot will quickly spread to other berries.
   
4. Berries to be used immediately may be picked any time, but if you plan to hold the fruit for a few days, try to pick in the early morning or on cool, cloudy days. Berries picked during the heat of the day become soft, are easily bruised and will not keep well.
   
5. Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunshine any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking. Strawberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three, depending upon the initial quality of the berry. After a few days in storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor and tends to shrivel.
   
6. For interesting and fun strawberry facts and trivia from the California Strawberry Commission, click here!

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
3. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the caps (green tops) off the others and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make jam right away) See this page about how to freeze strawberries.
4. If you like the strawberries you picked, ask the farm what variety they planted, and not the weather conditions the week or two before. The flavor of a strawberry is affected by the variety, the weather and the degree of ripeness when picked.
5. Now, get ready to make strawberry jam. It is VERY easy - especially with our free strawberry jam instructions - they're illustrated and easy.

Strawberry Recipes, Canning and Freezing Strawberries

• How to freeze strawberries!
• Strawberry jam (with pectin) (uses less sugar or honey and less cooking)
• Strawberry jam (without pectin) (requires much more sugar and cooking)
• Strawberry (and other berry) jams without sugar
• Strawberry jelly
• Strawberry-rhubarb jam!
• Homemade strawberry ice cream (regular, low fat, nonfat, low sugar, vanilla and even gelato)
• Canning strawberries
• Make gourmet chocolate-covered strawberries
• How to make fruit juice -  strawberry and other berries
• Strawberry pie filling
• Strawberry pie
• Easy Rhubarb-Strawberry pie
• Fig-strawberry jam
• Fig-strawberry jam, made with Jello gelatin

Strawberry Facts, Measurements and Tips

• Picking the best strawberries: Select firm, fully red berries. Strawberries DO NOT continue ripen after they are picked! In the photo, only the berry on the far right is completely ripe.
• Strawberry festivals: Most areas that grow strawberries have a strawberry festival, at which you can taste all kinds of fresh strawberry foods, pies, jams, cakes - and most commonly, fresh strawberry shortcake.  To find out where and when there is one near you, see this page for a list of strawberry festivals, sorted by state!
• Strawberries measurements: government agriculture websites tell us that
  1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups and is about the same as 1 liter and
  1 quart of fresh strawberries weighs 1 lbs to 1.25 lbs (or 450 to 600 g). Of course, the weight varies on variety and weather conditions. 
  1 quart is normally enough for 4 servings, although I'll admit my son can eat 1 pint by himself!
• How much to pick? In general, 1 quart of fresh, whole, just-picked strawberries = approximately 3.5 cups hulled, whole berries. In other words, removing the caps/hulls and the occasional mushy berry means you lose 1/4 cup to 1/2 (it depends how much fruit you remove with the hull) or about 7 to 12% of every quart you pick.
• One cup of strawberries contains only about 50 calories
• U-pick strawberries are much healthier than store-bought.  Consumer reports says store bought strawberries have so many pesticide and fungicide residues on they, that they don't recommend you eat them at all!
• U-pick strawberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. 1 lbs of fresh strawberries is about 2/3 of a quart.
• It takes about  10 to 15 minutes to pick a quart, if the berries are reasonably plentiful
• The strawberry plant adapts to wide variety of soil conditions, but does not tolerate drought well, and the berries quickly rot if the weather is rainy. For this reason, the plants are usually grown on raised beds through plastic mulch!
• Cultivation of strawberries began in Europe in the 1300's, but the berry only became very popular in the early 1900's in California.
• Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as strawberries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a couple of days in the refrigerator.
• You can easily freeze berries that you cannot use right away - just wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible.  Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of this! The berries will keep for many months frozen without air.
• Want to grow your own strawberries?  Here's an article about how to: Strawberries are an Excellent Fruit for the Home Garden, HYG-1424-98!
• See this page for many more fun and interesting strawberry facts, nutritional information and trivia

Other weird strawberry facts

• Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.
• Strawberries were originally called strewberries because the fruit was 'strewn' amongst the leaves of the plant.
• California is king of strawberry productions because: California produces 75 percent of the nation's strawberry crops; one billion pounds of strawberries each year.  If all the strawberries produced in California in one year were laid berry to berry, they would go around the world 15 times. Each acre of land in California in strawberry production produces an average of 21 tons of strawberries annually, with a total of 23,000 acres of strawberries planted in California each year.

More conversions

1 pint (2 cups)  of fresh whole strawberries

• = about 8 oz (1/2 lb) of strawberries
• = 2.25 cups of sliced strawberries
• = 1 cup pureed strawberries
• = 12-14 large strawberries

2 quarts of fresh strawberries are needed for a 9" pie

A 10 oz package of frozen berries is about the same as 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries

References:

• University of Illinois Extension
• Driscolls
• Ohio State University Extension
• Strawberries-Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers