2024 Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania 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

Lancaster County

• Brecknock Orchard - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, blackberries, blueberries, nectarines, peaches, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (black), strawberries, restrooms, picnic area, school tours
  390 Orchard Road, Mohnton, PA 19540. Phone: 717-445-5704. Email: brecknockorchard@frontier.com. Open: May to September Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 am to 7 pm Wednesday and Saturday 8 am to 5 pm Closed Sunday October to December Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 am to 6 pm Wednesday and Saturday 8 am to 5 pm Closed Sunday. Directions: 222 North to Denver 272 exit. Take 272 North to 897 South. Go 1 12 miles on 897 south, then turn left on Gehmans School Road. Go 1 mile to stop sign, then turn right on Orchard Road. Brecknock Orchard will be 12 mile on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, SFMNP Vouchers.
  Brecknock Orchard Facebook page. Fax: 717-445-0348 222 North to Denver 272 exit. Take 272 North to 897 South. Go 1 1/2 miles on 897 south, then turn left on Gehmans School Road. Go 1 mile to stop sign, then turn right on Orchard Road. will be 1/2 mile on the leftFarm Market is open May thru December with a full selection of fresh local fruits and vegetables; Pick your own crops are available in season; Join us for our Fall Festival the last Saturday in September and each Saturday in October. We use integrated pest management practices Typical harvest dates (CALL FIRST) Dates are approximate and change every year due to the weather. Visit the Harvest Schedule page to see actual harvesting dates and details.: Strawberries June 2 - June 28, Red Raspberries June 28 to October 15, Black Raspberries July 1 to July 21, Blackberries July 19 to September 18, Peaches July 26 to September 14, Nectarines July 26 to September 14, Apples August 10 to November 9, Pumpkins September 21 to November 1.
• Brooklawn Farm Market - Strawberries, sweet peas and pumpkins
  2325 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601. Phone: (717) 569-4748. Email: BrookLawnFarmMarket@verizon.net. Open: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5:30 pm; Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm; closed on Sunday; in late May or early June and usually remains open for several weeks, depending on the weather. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: cash, check, VISA.
  Brooklawn Farm Market Facebook page. The Pick Your Own (PYO) schedule is determined by weather and availability. The farm season is April through October; and in December we have Christmas treesLocal and farm direct produce. Hay rides in the fall. Delicious fresh corn multiple times daily all summer. Pick-Your-Own strawberries around the beginning of June & Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins and Gourds on scheduled rides to the pumpkin patch Fridays and Saturdays in October!. Our strawberry patch opens to the public in late May or early June and usually remains open for 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the weather. The pick-your-own schedule is determined by weather and availability. Keep in touch for updates by calling us or checking out our official Brook Lawn Farm Market FaceBook page. *Strawberry availability & picking conditions depend on the weather *Hours will be posted on Facebook/Twitter to keep you updated or call for daily field updates:
  Comments from a visitor on June 01, 2010: "I grew up near this farm and find it hard now that I have to buy in the grocery store."
• Cherry Hill Orchards & Farm Market - Sweet and Pie Cherries, Strawberries, Apricots, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Apples and Pumpkins
  400 Long Lane, Route 324 at Route 741, Lancaster, PA 17603. Phone: (717) 872-9311. Email: Info@cherryhillorchards.com. Open: Market hours are 8 am to 6 pm on Monday to Saturday, Closed on Sunday, Pick-your-own hours vary and will be on the new forthcoming website. Click here for a map and directions.
  Cherry Hill Orchards & Farm Market Facebook page. Cherry Hill Orchards is a pick your own orchard. Also PYO strawberries in May/June. We sell three sizes of containers, so you don't need to bring containersWe also offer all of our fruits and sweet corn in season at our Outlet store both on a retail and wholesale basis. In the spring, we offer hardwood mulch and a variety of plants geared toward the homeowner. Cherries in June, August for Peach, Blackberry and Apple picking! (UPDATED: May 02, 2022)
• Country Barn - Strawberries, pumpkins and they have a Christmas tree farm., restrooms, concessions or refreshment stand, corn maze, pumpkin patch (pick in the field where they grow), pumpkins (harvested and laid out on the ground or lawn), pumpkins (in a market, stand or shop), Bouncy castle or moon bounce, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
  211 Donerville Road, Lancaster, PA 17603. Phone: (717) 872-1554. Email: info@countrybarnmarket.com. Open: Various days and hours throughout the year; More days open from Late August though October . Directions: See their website for directions. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, SFMNP Vouchers .
  Country Barn Facebook page. . They have Barnyard Kingdom that's open several times throughout the year around certain events. Known as an Agritainment center. They are also a barn wedding venue. They have a pick your own strawberry event . They have pick your own pumpkins in the fall. And, pick your own trees for Christmas. They have Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and Breakfast with Santa Clause. I think Barnyard Kingdom is open for all of the events. They have a train ride through the farm that is open with the events. pick your own crops, farm market, pumpkin patch, Christmas trees, Farm venue, Easter egg hunts near Easter, . (ADDED: May 27, 2024, Suggested by a visitor)A visitor writes on May 27, 2024: "Very Good! They are well known for their potatoes. The strawberries are very good this year!"
• Dogwood Farm Market - strawberries, Fresh eggs, porta-potties are available
  1124 Dogwood Drive, Reinholds, PA 17569. Phone: 717-336-1661. Email: sharon@dogwoodfarmmarket.com. Open: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Route 272 north from Exit 286 of Pennsylvania Turnpike. Turn left on Route 897 north. Turn left on Brunner\'s Grove Road. Turn left on Dogwood Drive. Drive 14 mile to farm market on right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, SFMNP Vouchers.
  Dogwood Farm Market Facebook page. Route 272 north from Exit 286 of Pennsylvania Turnpike. Turn left on Route 897 north. Turn left on Brunner's Grove Road. Turn left on Dogwood Drive. Drive 1/4 mile to farm market on rightPick your own strawberries - approximately June 1 pm to 15
• Everfresh Produce - strawberries, flowers
  3145 Division Hwy, New Holland, PA 17557. Phone: (717) 354-3922. Open: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 8 pm; Saturday, 8:30 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. 2022 prices were reported to be very good, at $2 per pound for strawberries. Call for updates. (ADDED: June 13, 2022, JBS)
• Farm Wagon Produce - strawberries
  1061 Weaverland Rd, East Earl, PA 17519. Phone: (717) 354-2041. Open: Monday through Saturday from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm. Click here for a map and directions. 2022 prices were reported to be $2.25 per pound, with a discount, if you pick more than 25 lbs., then the price is reduced to $1.75 per pound. (ADDED: June 13, 2022, JBS)
• Hoover's Farm - strawberries, farm market
  30 Erbs Bridge Rd, Lititz, PA 17543. Phone: 717-733-1048. Open: Monday - Friday: 8 am to 7 pm, Saturday: 8 am to 5 pm, closed on Sunday. Click here for a map and directions. 2022 PYO strawberry prices were reported to be $1.95 per pound. You may bring your own containers or Hoover's has quart boxes. (ADDED: June 13, 2022, JBS)
• Kauffman Orchards - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, apples, cherries, pears, peaches, plums, pumpkins, strawberries, porta-potties, restrooms, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, farm animals
  53 South Weavertown Rd, Ronks, PA 17572. Phone: (717) 768-0050. Email: anna@kauffman.farm. Open: Friday and Saturday 9 am to 4 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Kauffman Orchards Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: (717) 768-7112 Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesWe minimize use of pesticides and other chemicalsWhat's better than fresh fruit, picked by hand, straight from the orchard? Starting in July and running through fall, bring the family to and enjoy picking your own seasonal fruit! This year we are excited to offer Pick Your Own for the following produce: apples, peaches, pears, plums, and pumpkins. Free For All U-Pick Customers: Your purchase includes a wagon ride for your entire party, a picnic area, and a chance to pet the goats!(ADDED: September 07, 2021)
• Kreider's Strawberries - strawberries, pick your own and already picked
  169 Buch Ave, Lancaster, PA 17601. Phone: (717) 569-3421. Open: Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm or earlier when they sell out, always call before you go to ensure berries are available. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash or check only. Kreider's Strawberries Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm (or earlier when they sell out), always call before you go to ensure berries are available. 2022 prices were reported to be $5 per quart. Kreider's supplies containers. is a we pick/ you pick strawberry farm. Come an enjoy the experience of enjoying fresh homegrown strawberriesU-Pick usually opens in mid-May (ADDED: June 13, 2022, JBS)
• Myer's Pick-Your-Own Strawberry Farm - Strawberries
  1429 Auction Road, Manheim, PA 17545. Phone: (717) 653-1259. Open: in June, Monday to Friday from 7 am to 8 pm, Saturday from 7 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. We are "estimating" the Myers picking season to fully begin around the 2nd week in June. Look for an update when we are up and running. They grow Early Glow, Allstar, Jewel, and Winona for a longer picking season. The experience is complete with a meandering stream, beautiful crop lands, and a real, honest-to-goodness, wooden covered bridge. Straw is used in the rows to keep both the berries and your shoes clean. For your additional comfort a portable restroom is provided. You can get a ride out to the fields (which kids always enjoy) on one of two John Deere Gators, to a fresh picking spot. When you've finished picking, your boxes will be counted at checkout. Our are sold by the quart and one quart equals approximately 1.60 lbs.
  Comments from a visitor on June 18, 2009: "Nice farm, very busy the 1st time I was there (peak week). Seemed to organized as far as telling people where to start picking. They took you to the field on a little truck. Made frequent trips back to the field to take people back to the entrance. Parking is on the grass across the street from the farm. There is a port-a-pot on site. They take cash. Bring your own containers. They will provide quart boxes for picking, but not to take home."
• Old Homestead Farm - flowers, strawberries
  361 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks, PA 17572. Phone: (717) 572-7753. Email: jenelle@theoldhomesteadfarm.com. Open: UPDATE for 2019, Their website and Facebook page are both gone; Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me, their last reported hours were Pick your own strawberries: June 1, 2018 to June 18, 2018 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 8am to 5pm; Call to verify availability. Directions: Route 896 in Ronks, just south of Sight and Sound Theater. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, SFMNP Vouchers. (UPDATED: May 06, 2018)
• Rising Locust Farm - strawberries, meats, CSA
  1339 Creek Road, Manheim, PA 17545. Phone: (717) 967-4012. Email: risinglocustfarm@gmail.com. Open: by appointment only, Monday to Saturday, PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL; closed on Sundays. Click here for a map and directions. ​To pick strawberries (repoortedly $2.75 per quart in 2022) you must email or text 717-725-5138 to arrange ahead of time. PASTURED EGGS - Our hens are moved on pasture to forage, scratch and exercise in their mobile coop wagon! They are fed an organic feed with herbs, minerals, and probiotics.GRASS-FED LAMB - We raise Katahdin hair sheep in our "flerd" of cattle and sheep. The flerd is rotated daily to improve their health, the health of our pastures, and the land around us.GRASS-FED BEEF - We raise Highland Cattle that excel on an 100% grass/tree diet. They are the soil-improving engines on our pastures as well as our thoughtful, ruminating, farming partners.PASTURED PORK - Our hogs are raised on pasture and in the woods with an organic feed supplement rich in herbs, minerals, and probiotics. They play and enjoy themselves everyday!MUSHROOMS - Our forest-grown shiitake mushrooms are cultivated on hardwood logs in our creekside woods. They are an extremely nutritious food with well-documented immune-boosting compounds and anti-bacterial properties. And they taste delicious!COMING IN 2022 - Our diverse 1/2 acre orchard of climate-resilient fruit trees and shrubs, our large homestead garden, and our 5 acre nut tree pasture are just beginning to mature and produce food on the farm. Hazels, raspberries, strawberries, asparagus, garlic, sweet potatoes, squash, plums, peaches and maybe an apple or two will be available for sale this coming year. All will be available as extra items through our Meat and Egg CSA or for pickup at our little farm store this year.
• Shenk's Berry Farm - Strawberries, blueberries and red and black raspberries.and other prepicked berries
  911 Disston View Drive, Lititz, PA 17543. Phone: 717-626-6194. Open: Monday thru Friday from 8 am to 12 pm, 4:30-8:30pm, Saturday - 8 am to 12 pm, Sunday - Closed. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions.
  Shenk's Berry Farm Facebook page. . No prepicked strawberries in 2021, just PYOClick here for directions. Picking strawberries: Pick-your own strawberries are usually available for 2 weeks at the height of berry season. Facebook page. Our strawberry fields are open for picking mornings and evenings. We have found it is better for the people and the strawberries not to pick in the heat of mid-day. We sell our berries by the pound. We weigh your container when you arrive and record the empty weight so we don't charge you for the weight of your container. You may fill your containers as you wish. People use strawberry boxes, empty ice cream containers, dishpans or buckets
  Comments from a visitor on September 17, 2008: "There's not much there but strawberry picking, but the people were so friendly. They took the time to chat with us and show our young daughters which berries were ripe. "

 

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