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Where to go strawberry picking near Boston
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's Saturday morning newsletter, The Weekender. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
They’re sweet, sticky and in season. Yes, I’m talking about strawberries.
In my experience, locally grown strawberries are nothing like the fruit you’ll get in a plastic box at the grocery store. They’re small, bright red and almost jammy, something I only found out after I picked up a local quart of berries as a college student (and inhaled them all that same day).
June marks the return of strawberry season in Massachusetts. And the state has dozens of farms where you can buy those juicy berries. Even better, some places will let you head into the field and pick them yourself. Just this past week, a number of local farms opened their gates for strawberry picking. But be warned: If you want to pick your own berries, you will have to act quickly. The short-but-sweet season runs through early July, and some local farms say they’re expecting big crowds as the fruit ripens. Don’t let that deter you — as they say, the juice is worth the squeeze. (Squeeze through the field aisles, that is.)
Here are five places within an hour of Boston where you can pick your own strawberries — and what to know before you go:
Verrill Farm | 11 Wheeler Rd, Concord
Verrill Farm’s strawberry-picking season typically runs for several weeks in June, according to the farm’s website. And you usually have to reserve timed tickets, 24 to 48 hours ahead of time. But this Saturday (June 13), they are welcoming walk-ins — no reservation required — starting at 10 a.m. ahead of the farm’s annual Strawberry Festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They’ll have hayrides, music, local crafts and food, including the farm’s housemade strawberry shortcake.
- Know before you go: Tickets to the field and the festival are sold separately. Strawberry-picking tickets — which include up to 1 quart of berries — are $12 for each person over the age of 5, and Strawberry Festival tickets are $5 each.
Boston Hill Farm | 1370 Turnpike St, North Andover
Boston Hill Farm is open for strawberry picking from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day while supplies last. Strawberry fields can get a bit muddy after the rain, so they suggest picking your footwear wisely before paying the farm a visit after a storm or shower.
- Know before you go: There’s no cost for entry. You’ll only pay for the strawberries you pick, which are currently being charged at $5.99 per pound.
Ward’s Berry Farm | 614 S Main Street, Sharon
Ward’s Berry Farm’s strawberry-picking season typically runs through July 4, according to the farm. The crop is currently “excellent,” according to their website. Since pick-your-own at Ward’s Berry Farm is weather-dependent, check the farm’s website to see if the fields are open or closed before heading over.
- Know before you go: There’s no cost of entry, but you’ll need to purchase a container for your strawberries before heading into the field. Currently, it’s $8 for 1 pint, $26 for 2 quarts and $46 for 4 quarts.
Tougas Family Farm | 234 Ball Street, Northborough
Picking at Tougas Family Farm’s 8-acre strawberry field usually runs through the end of the month, according to the farm’s website. The farm offers wagon rides to its picking fields and also has a few stroller-friendly picking locations. Just check the website before heading over to make sure they haven’t been picked out. The farm also has its daily picking hours listed on the same page.
- Know before you go: Admission costs vary: For children, it’s $12 for entry and 1 quart of strawberries, adult admission is $20 for entry and 2 quarts of strawberries, and admission for a group of four is $42 for entry and 4 quarts of strawberries.
Russell Orchards | 143 Argilla Road, Ipswich
Strawberry-picking season at Russell Orchards typically runs through July 4, according to the farm. The strawberry fields are an eight-minute walk from the main barn, so they suggest wearing sturdy footwear when you visit.
- Know before you go: The farm charges a $5 admission fee for anyone over the age of 4 to get onto the field, but that “deposit” is credited back to you when you exit the field and pay for your fruit by the pound. Russell Orchards’ strawberries are currently priced at $7.50 per pound for 0 to 9 pounds, $6.50 per pound for 9.1 to 18 lbs and $5.50 per pound for over 18 pounds.
P.S. — Looking for something to do with your fresh-picked strawberries? Here & Now resident chef Kathy Gunst has not one, not two, but three strawberry recipe collections. Click here for strawberry salad, jam and pie; here for strawberry sour cream muffins, a crumble and cake; or here for strawberry shortcake with rhubarb sauce, another salad and strawberries and cream.
