2024 Tampa area, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, west Florida Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Tampa area, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, west Florida 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.

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Hillsborough County

• 5K Farms - Strawberries,
  5732 east SR-60, Plant City, FL . Phone: 813-836-9526. Open: U-Pick will open near the end of April. Click here for a map and directions. Follow us on our Facebook page. We'll post dates as soon as we have them! (ADDED: March 11, 2024, JBS)
• Bearrs Groves - - strawberries,
  , 14316 Lake Magdalene Blvd. Tampa, FL 33618. Phone: 813-963-5125. Email: ben@brockcomm.com. Open: In season strawberries end in Early March 8 AM to 3 PM. Click here for a map of the area. Payment: Cash is preferred. . In season (strawberries end in Early March) 8 AM to 3 PM 2024 price is $3 per lb (2 pound minimum) Bring your own bag or use one of ours. (ADDED: March 11, 2024, JBS)
• Berry Bay Farms - onions, strawberries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, peas, Other fruit or veg,
  5135 Bonita Drive, Wimauma, FL 33589. Phone: 813-642-9866. Open: UPDATE for 2021, Their website and Facebook pages are gone - I presume they have closed. Directions: From the intersection of Highway 301 and State Road 674 take 301 South for 2 miles. Turn Left onto Bonita Drive, Berry Bay sign on the right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me. In April, we also have PYO onions, strawberries. Bring a container to take your berries home inThe weather and market conditions determine when we are open.
• Berry Sweet Acres - strawberries,
  5621 W Us Highway 92, Plant City, FL . Phone: 813-441-4993. Email: kandice@berrysweetacres.com. Open: Strawberry U-pick starts in mid-December, ends April; Saturday and Sunday from 9am-5pm. Click here for a map and directions.
  Berry Sweet Acres Facebook page. As always, we are encouraging reservations as those will be honored first. Please bring appropriate shoes to wear for picking as there are still some berries on the ground from the stormfacebook page. 2024 PRICE BREAKDOWN: Picking 1lb or more offers FREE entry, Field access without picking - $5, 1lb clamshell: $4, 2lb clamshell: $7, 10lb or more: $3 per lb. (ADDED: March 11, 2024, JBS)
• Fancy Farms - strawberries, porta-potties, picnic area you may bring your own food
  3838 Fancy Farms Road, Plant City, FL 33566. Phone: (813) 754-4852. Email: dustin@fancyfarms.com. Open: In 2019, on March 6, 7, 8, 9, 10; from 8 am to 4 pm, See our Facebook page for all details. Directions: I4 to Exit 25 County Line Road, go south approximately 3 miles, turn right on Rice Road, then left on Wiggins Road, then immediately turn right into the farm. Strawberry season is typically from November to March. Payment: Cash, Check. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Fancy Farms Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: (813) 478-9186 2 quarts for $1.00 Cash or check only Containers will be provided and you can take them home with you Closed toed shoes recommended There is not "entry" fee, you are only charged for the fruit you pick Questions: Text or call 8 (number above). We may open our fields additional days in March, so please continue checking our Facebook page. (ADDED: March 05, 2019)
• Favorite Farms - Strawberries
  10070 McIntosh Road, Dover, FL 33527. Phone: 813-986-3949. Open: generally open mid to late March to mid-April, 7 days a week, 7 - 6pm; always call before you come. Directions: Off I-4, Exit 14 \(new; old was 9\), then 112 mile northComments from a visitor on March 24, 2012: \They just ". Click here for a map and directions. Off I-4, Exit 14 (new; old was 9), then 11/2 mile north
  Comments from a visitor on March 24, 2012: "They just opened for u-pick today. Lots of sweet and juicy at 50 cents a quart! What a fabulous deal! The staff was very friendly. We enjoyed our visit. "
  Comments from a visitor on April 08, 2011: "We picked at today and got some great berries. The berries were 2 quarts for $1. They said they are open until April 17, 2011"
  Comments from a visitor on April 21, 2010: "Hi! We visited today, 4/21/10. They still have plenty of ! They said that their last U-Pick day will be this Sunday, April 25, 2010. It was lots of fun and a great farm to bring the kids too :). Also, the people running the produce stand/check-in area were VERY friendly and nice! It was 2 quarts for $1! Thanks, Anna"
  Comments from a visitor on April 04, 2010: "The strawberry picking at was awesome and there are plenty of . They may (still) have U-Pick in May as well."
  Comments from a visitor on April 02, 2010: "There are still a ton of left and they said the u-pick will go through April. They're 2 quarts for $1!"
  Comments from a visitor on April 05, 2009: "..Last day for U Pick is next Sunday 4/12/09! Picked 25 quarts of beautiful berries yesterday, 2 quarts for $1!!. "
  Comments from a visitor on April 04, 2009: "Went on my birthday 4/4/09. Very friendly people. You stop at the stand and pick up quart containers which you later return when you pay on your way out. You will need to bring your own bags to take them home. The rows are nicely spaced apart and this late in the season, we picked over 20 quarts at 2 quarts for a dollar. Very nice berries. They also had sweet Florida onions for sale at the stand. Will definitely return!"
• Gillman Farms The Farmhouse - strawberries, Produce, Jams, Honey, Plants and Gift Items.
  5617 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City, FL . Phone: 813-967-4146. Email: farmhousegf@gmail.com. Open: Mon-Sat 9:00am - 5:30 pm, Closed Sundays. Click here for a map and directions. Our kitchen is serving delicious Strawberry Shortcake, Strawberry Pizza, Milkshakes, Cookies and more! (ADDED: March 11, 2024, JBS)
• Hydro Harvest Farms - Uses integrated pest management practices, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, eggplants, herbs or spices, onions, peas, peppers, summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, Other fruit or veg, U-pick and already picked, farm market, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, school tours
  1101 E Shell Point Rd, Ruskin, FL 33570. Phone: 813-645-6574. Email: terrie@hydroharvestfarms.com. Open: In March 2021, their website says "U-Pick Farm is Temporarily Closed We want everyone to stay safe and we will get through this" normally, Monday through Saturday 10 am to 5: Sunday 11 am to 4; June through August hours differ so please check our website for more info. Directions: Take I 75 to Exit 240, Ruskin. Go west and at second light turn right \(21 street east\). Go to stop sign \(Shell Point Road E\), turn left. farm will be 12 mile on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, SFMNP Vouchers.
  Hydro Harvest Farms Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 941-915-7208 Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesTake I 75 to Exit 240, Ruskin. Go west and at second light turn right (21 street east). Go to stop sign (Shell Point Road E), turn left. farm will be 1/2 mile on the leftWe have many seasonal crops all year round, to pick; Strawberries are usually ready starting in December and go through May We have free Hydroponic Growing Classes, Canning Classes, Halloween Boo Fest Even (see our website for this year's date in October)), Santa at the Farm, Easter Eggstravaganza Event; Sign up for our weekly email for updates on what is picking and what free events we have; The sign up info is on our website. We use integrated pest management practicesis a hydroponic vertical growing farm. We use no pesticides, very little water, 1/6 the land and teach families, schools and businesses how to do this themselves. We have a great Grant Website for School Gardens. We have school field trips and a nice picnic area to make a nice day of picking.If you are coming to pick your own, we use no GMO, we supply the baskets and scissors if you need them, you don't have to bend to pick, the farm is covered for easy mobility and best of all we love pets!.
• Pigeon Cove Family Farm - strawberries,
  3321 Moores Lake Rd, Dover, FL . Phone: 813-853-8983. Email: pigeoncovefamilyfarm@gmail.com. Open: Thursday - Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. 7672">. While ripe berries last on a first-come first-served basis. 2024 Cost is $3 per lb, we provide container to pick in. (ADDED: March 11, 2024, JBS)
• Shady Acres Farm - Strawberries
  3420 Gallagher Road, Dover, FL 33527. Phone: 813-659-0222. Open: February- mid-April - Call for dates, they have no presence on the internet other websites are just copying from here. Directions: I-4 E to Exit 14 \(new; old was 9\) \(McIntosh Rd\) Go S on McIntosh to Hwy 92, turn left go to Gallagher Road farm is 2 12 miles on the right. Comment from a visitor, January 24, 2008: \I have been there before and they have a very nice small farm. Click here for a map and directions. March 31
• Spivey Farms - strawberries
  6101 South County Road 39, Plant City, FL 33567. Phone: 813-650-8999. Email: spiveyfarms@gmail.com. Open: The strawberry u-pick season varies from year-to-year; The determining factor is when our commercial season is coming to an end; The season usually will begin in March and lasts a few weeks; Our hours of operation are 8 Am to 5 Pm Monday-Saturday and 9 Am to 4 Pm on Sunday. Click here for a map and directions. We are at the mercy of Mother Nature on this, but we like to keep a field open for 2-3 weeks if possible. Please keep checking the homepage for the latest information. NOTE: We only allow u-pick for at the farm.
  Comments from a visitor on March 28, 2009: "Very nice people at the stand. They hand you quart containers to fill up and have you drive back to the fields to pick. TONS of ! They were also selling big onions and water at the stand in front. No restaurants or restrooms to be seen, just lots of fields. Kids had a great time and the were VERY inexpensive!"
• Strawberry Passion Organic Farm - CERTIFIED ORGANIC, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area
  11780 Tom Folsom Road, Thonotosassa, FL 33592. Phone: (813) 735-6706. Email: wrightberries@yahoo.com. Open: daily in March and April from 9 am to 4 pm but alwayss call them adhead as availability can change in a moment. Directions: From I 75, exit at Fowler Avenue, head east to Highway 301, turn left \(north bound\) to Tom Folsom Road, turn left again, continue on Tom Folsom Road to the dead end and you will be at the farms main entrance. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. From I 75, exit at Fowler Avenue, head east to Highway 301, turn left (north bound) to Tom Folsom Road, turn left again, continue on Tom Folsom Road to the dead end and you will be at the farms main entranceStrawberry season is typically February through AprilOur Farm is 100% Certified Organic. We grow a very large assortment of vegetables, herbs, flowers,strawberries, melons and more that we offer at the Farm Stand most of the year on Saturday's but it is best to follow our Facebook page for open dates. During Strawberry season we also have a wagon on site making delicious strawberry shortcakes, smoothies and shakes with fresh picked berries right on the farm. We also support many local co-op's and businesses selling wholesale in quantities. (UPDATED: April 4, 2018, JBS)
• Three Son Farms, McIntosh Station - strawberries,
  3830 McIntosh Road, Dover, FL . Phone: 813-763-3242. Open: no strawberry upics available until December 1, 2024. Click here for a map and directions. Public access to the strawberry fields is strictly prohibited. This is a family run farm servicing the Hillsborough and Pasco County area offering farm fresh produce. milkshakes and strawberry shortcake can be purchased by the flat, half flat and quarter through our Fruitstand.
• Tomlin FFA Produce Stand - strawberries,
  Middle School, Plant City, FL . Phone: . Open: usually for U-Pick in February. Click here for a map and directions.

 

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