This weekend is the official start of the you-pick strawberry season, and the fields are open and bursting with luscious fruit. Area strawberry farms are classified as essential businesses, and for cooped up families, the chance to be outside picking berries in the sun is a welcome diversion.
There are some important changes this year. To protect customers and staff from the coronavirus, farms have put safety protocols in place for those who wish to pick their own berries. These include frequent hand-washing, picking in alternating rows and using only provided picking containers. Some farms are selling only pre-picked berries.
For fruit availability, hours and other updates, it’s best to call the farm or check its Facebook page before heading out.
DJ’s Berry Patch
1223 Salem Church Road, Apex
(919) 600-4020
DJ’s is offering pre-picked and you-pick strawberries this season. They also offer homemade ice cream, strawberry preserves and strawberry vinaigrette dressing.
facebook.com/DJs-Berry-Patch-122337307802631/
Phillips Farms
6701 Good Hope Church Road, Cary
(919) 467-3004
No you-pick berries are available. Pre-picked strawberries can be ordered and paid for over the phone, and can be picked up at the farm.
facebook.com/Phillips-Farms-of-Cary-NC-115766315101175/
Buckwheat Farm
2700 Holland Road, Apex
(919) 303-0339
Pre-picked berries are available now, and the farm expects to have you-pick strawberries by Saturday, April 18. Customers can also buy honey, jams, jellies and shiitake mushrooms.
facebook.com/Buckwheat-Farm-299970047363/
Ogburn Berries and Produce
13049 Old Stage Road, Willow Spring
(919) 868-2403
Pre-picked and you-pick strawberries are available. Other seasonal produce is available at their roadside stand at 13065 Old Stage Road.
facebook.com/OgburnBerriesAndProduce/
Porter Farms & Nursery – Willow Spring
3525 NC Hwy. 42, Willow Spring
(919) 567-0504
Pre-picked and pick-your-own strawberries. Vegetable plants, homemade ice cream and seasonal produce.
facebook.com/Porter-Farms-and-Nursery-142977167259/
Plenty of fresh, local berries are also available at area farmers markets.
Cary Downtown Farmers Market
135 W. Chatham St.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon
Caryfarmersmarket.com
Western Wake Farmers Market
260 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville
Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon
facebook.com/wwfm501c3
Holly Springs Farmers Market
300 W. Ballentine St., Holly Springs
Saturday, April 18, 9:30 a.m. to noon
Starting May 2, Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
facebook.com/hsfarmersmarket
State Farmers Market
1201 Agriculture St., Raleigh
Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
facebook.com/StateFarmersMarket
