It is best to call before leaving home to check open hours the day you plan to visit. There are many weather and crop conditions that we cannot predict that could affect our harvest. Our recorded message is frequently updated with information about current picking conditions at the farm.

Local 5-day weather forecast for Bancroft.

• Bring your own containers with you unless you plan to purchase them at the farm. Clean, shallow containers with handles are best.

• Berries are sold by weight. The price for the U-pick strawberries is $1.50 per lb. One quart weighs 1¼ lbs.

• We welcome well-behaved children who are supervised by their parents.

• Please leave pets at home or in your ventilated vehicle.

• Hats and sunscreen are advised. Drinking water is available to purchase. Toilet facilities are provided.

Depending on the season the first berries are usually ready to pick by late June. Please call for information about mid-June. Strawberry harvest extends over a period of about 2 1/2 weeks. The largest, easiest to pick berries ripen during the first week of the season. Later ripening berries are smaller but sweeter than the large early berries - excellent for jam or freezing.

HOW TO PICK

Choose berries that are fully red as strawberries do not ripen further once they are picked. Search through the leaves carefully to pick all the fully ripe berries on each plant. Berries of all sizes are equally sweet.

Leave the strawberry hulls on the berries for the longest fresh storage. Avoid squeezing or bruising berries as you pick. Cup each berry in the palm of your hand while snapping off its stem between your thumb and forefinger. It is important to keep berries shaded and as cool as possible until you reach home.

PRE-PICKED STRAWBERRIES

We will not be able to fill any advance orders for pre-picked berries this season.  

STORING

Sort through your strawberries as soon as possible removing any damaged fruit for immediate use. Refrigerate the remaining berries unwashed in a loosely covered container for up to 3 days. Wash and hull just before use.

FREEZING

Use only strawberries at the peak of quality. Pack them in quantities needed for a meal or recipe. Use air-tight containers removing as much air as possible and sealing well.

With Sugar:

The addition of sugar will best maintain the fresh flavour and firm texture of the berries. Sprinkle 4 cups of whole berries with 1/2 cup sugar. For 4 cups of sliced berries, mix in 3/4 cup of sugar.

Without sugar:

If you prefer not to use sugar, spread whole berries in a single layer on flat trays and freeze. Once the berries are frozen, quickly package them in freezer containers.