Where to pick your own strawberries in Central Pa.

We think the only thing tastier than a locally grown, ripe strawberry is one you’ve picked yourself. So we’ve culled the region for pick-your-own strawberry patches, and present them here, listed by area.

With the mostly warm winter, forecasts are for a strawberry harvest that’s a bit earlier than typical this year — maybe by a week, according to Kathleen Demchak, a senior extension associate with Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences who conducts applied research to help berry growers. It all depends upon the cultural system that farmers use in their fields, she explains.

Check the farms’ websites and Facebook pages, or give them a call to see if their harvests are ready for picking. Then go to it! Because strawberry season is short, but oh so sweet.

CUMBERLAND & DAUPHIN COUNTIES

Blyler Fruit Farm
www.blylerfruit.farm
922 Route 25, Spring Glen  717-365-3177
Check out their other produce while you’re there.

Bricker’s Strawberry Farm
www.brickersstrawberries.com
1710 W. Lisburn Road, Carlisle 717-258-6160
They advise to call ahead to make sure their harvest is in and ready for picking the day you want to head over.

Cross the Creek Farm
www.facebook.com/crossthecreekfarmpa
2035 Pine Road, Newville  717-776-2317
Usually open 7 a.m. till dusk, or as long as the day’s harvest lasts.

Oak Grove Farms
www.oakgrovefarmsinc.com
846 Fisher Road, Mechanicsburg  717-766-2216
In addition to strawberries, you can pick yourself some tasty baked goods and chicken corn soup — from their shop, not their fields.

Paulus Farm Market
www.paulusfarmmarket.com
1216 S York St, Mechanicsburg  717-697-4330
In its second year of offering pick-your-own strawberries, this farm market also has lots of other produce, homemade foods, farm animals to feed and pet, and a play area for kids.

Strites Orchards
www.stritesorchard.com
1000 Strites Road, Harrisburg  717-564-3130
This farm’s been in operation for over 100 years, and has lots of yummy baked and canned goods in addition to other fresh produce.

LANCASTER & LEBANON COUNTIES

Brecknock Orchard
www.brecknockorchard.com/pick-your-own
390 Orchard Road, Mohnton  717-445-5704
In addition to the regular pick-your-own held Mondays through Saturdays, the orchard will host two Strawberry Festivals — June 3 and 10 — featuring hayrides to the strawberry field, fun kids activities, make-your-own chocolate covered strawberries, and free slices of their seven-foot strawberry shortcake, all starting at 10 a.m.

Brook Lawn Farm Market
www.facebook.com/brooklawnfarmmarket
2325 Lititz Pike, Lancaster  717-569-4748
They have pick-your-own strawberries and peas in late May and early June.

Creekside Farm Market with Shady Creek Farm
www.thecreeksidemarket.com/pick-your-own
1436 Mt. Joy Road, Manheim  717-826-3378
Their season usually starts mid-May, and their hours start early too — pickers can hit their fields at 7 a.m.

Honey Bear Orchards
www.honeybearorchards.com/strawberries
1819 Thompson Avenue, Lebanon  717-867-4611
The orchard specializes in peaches, but they have a pick-your-own strawberry patch each year (and also grow cherries, apricots, raspberries, apples, nectarines, plums and apples).

Myers Strawberries
www.facebook.com/myersstrawberries
1429 Auction Road, Manheim  717-653-1259
Get a ride out to the strawberry fields on a John Deere gator, and then enjoy the ambiance of a meandering stream, beautiful croplands, and a wooden covered bridge while you pick.

Old Homestead Farm Stand
www.theoldhomesteadfarm.com/pick-your-own.html
361 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks  717-669-1636
They’ll open for strawberry picking June 1.

Risser-Marvel Farm Market
www.rissermarvel.com
2425 Horseshoe Pike, Annville  717-838-1438
In addition to the strawberry patch, they have other seasonal fruit and veggies picked fresh, plus fresh baked goods.

Shenks Berry Farm
www.shenkberryfarm.com
911 Disston View Dr., Lititz   717-626-6194
A scenic farm with beef cattle, sheep, vegetable crops and, of course, strawberry patches.

YORK COUNTY

Barefoot Farm
www.facebook.com/barefootfarmdoverpa
6621 Bluebird Lane, Dover  717-292-1390
Strawberry fields, plus fresh strawberry sundaes, chocolate dipped strawberries and even an ice cream shop that’s open during the berry season.

Brown’s Orchards
www.brownsorchards.com
8773 Yellow Church Road, Seven Valleys  717-428-2036
Located three miles from their market in Loganville, the orchard features pick-your-own strawberries beginning in late May.

Forge Hill Orchards
www.forgehillorchards.com
135 Blossom Drive, Mt Wolf  717-266-1206
The farm has been around for three-quarters of a century. Pick-your-own strawberries starting in late May, then sour cherries in June.

Paulus Orchard
www.paulusorchards.com
522 E. Mount Airy Road, Dillsburg  717-432-2544
They’ll open Memorial Day weekend for pick-your-own strawberries and more.

Shaw Orchards
www.shaworchards.com/strawberries.php
5594 Norrisville Road, White Hall, Md.  410-692-2429
They’ll take you on a scenic wagon ride to the strawberry patches (there is a $5 per person, pre-paid minimum purchase required).

Tips for Berry Picking

• Visit farm’s website, Facebook page or call ahead to confirm hours and make sure it’s open for picking; they may close due to weather or if they’ve been picked clean of ripened fruit.
• Bring cash. Many smaller farms do not accept credit cards.
• Avoid stacking many layers of berries in your container; you don’t want to crush them.
• Stay in your designated picking area and only pick berries that are fully red.
• If possible, pick in the morning or evening, when berries are less likely to dry out quickly.
• Don’t forget sunscreen, insect repellent and sturdy footwear for walking through farm fields.

Leslie Penkunas is the editor of Central Penn Parent.