One of the easiest ways to tell summer is fast approaching is the sweetness of strawberries! My kids can eat through pints of strawberries like it’s their job! We have an even better time when we go strawberry picking ourselves at one of the U-Pick Farms in the area. This activity is fun for even the littlest ones, even if they only put a few in the bucket! Don’t forget to try one of our contributor’s recipes for Strawberry Cobbler too!

A few tips:

• Make sure to call ahead to confirm that berries are available on the day you are planning to pick. The season usually begins at the end of May and lasts for a few weeks. For 2024, many farms are predicting the strawberries to be ready a little later this year- the first few weeks of June!
• Plan to arrive early because many farms will close the patch mid-day if the fields are over-picked.
• Don’t forget to apply sunscreen and wear boots if the fields are muddy.
• Also, it is a good idea to bring cash with you because some farms don’t accept credit cards.
• You may want to throw wipes in your bag too as the juice gets sticky on hands and faces pretty quickly!

  

Strawberry Picking Farms around Columbus:

1. Circle S Farms

Address: 9015 London Groveport Rd., southwest of Grove City

Phone Number: (614-878-9462, 614-878-7980)

Dates: End of May 2024 (Typically Memorial Day to Father’s Day)

2. Jacquemin Farms

Address: 7437 Hyland Croy Rd., Plain City, Ohio

Phone Number: (614-873-5725)

Dates: June 2024 (This year they are predicting the first few weeks of June!)

3. Doran’s Farm Market

Address: 5462 Babbitt Rd., southeast of New Albany

Phone Number: (614-855-3885)

Dates: Beginning late May 2024 (May 20)

Know Before You Go: Pick-Your-Own are $2.89lb.

4. Folck Family Farm

Address: 6843 Rt. 54, southwest of Mechanicsburg

Phone Number: (937-828-0233)

Dates: First week of June 2024- Strawberries are their specialty!

5. Hann Farms

Address: 4600 Lockbourne Rd., Obetz

Phone Number: (614-491-0812)

Dates: Available end of May!

6. Mitchell’s Berries

Address: 9331 Mitchell-Dewitt Rd., northeast of Plain City

Phone Number: (937-243-0635) A personal favorite. 🙂

Date: Beginning during mid May. Picking is by reservation only. Last week will be the beginning of June! (Raspberry season will be coming soon for u-pick, reservations only.)

Know Before You Go: There’s a swing set and photo spots as well!

Berry Tea Party on May 19, 2024

7. Yutzy’s Farm Market

Address: 6010 Converse Huff Rd, Plain City

Phone Number: (614-873-3815).

Dates: Great selection to shop!

8. The Berry Patch

Address: 2451 OH-245W., West Liberty, Ohio 43357

Dates: See their Facebook page for 2024 updates!

9. The Berry Farm

Address: 23861 OH-4, Richwood, OH 43344, USA

Since crop availability can vary each day, please be sure to contact the farm before heading out to pick strawberries! Let us know your favorite recipes in the comments!