U-Pick Strawberries


2023 Strawberry Crop Report

Strawberries are on the horizon! The heat has pushed the season ahead, so we're expecting an earlier crop than any year before. Normally our strawberries are ready by mid-July, but we expect to start picking on July 2nd.

Call ahead of your visit for a crop update - 780-921-2272. Strawberries are first come, first pick. The patch opens at 10am we are often sold out by 11:30am.

Regular picking days are Wednesdays and Saturdays.

*Please note: we are CLOSED on July 1st, which falls on a Saturday this year, so we will open the patch on Sunday, July 2nd instead.*

How it Works

U-Pick Strawberries is available on Wednesdays and Saturdays, starting at 10AM. Berries are first come, first serve. We are normally picked out by 11:30am, so we recommend coming early, so you don't miss out! Once the berries are finished for the day, we will close the patch.

Strawberries are In-Season Mid-July to Mid-August. Call 780-921-2272 to confirm availability before coming.

Prices: We sell our strawberries by the bucket, not by weight. Please leave your pails/containers at home - we supply the pails! Pay for your strawberries at the exit - cash, debit & credit accepted.

4L Pail - $35.00/level pail (+$5.00 for heaping)

1.5L Pail - $15.00/level pail (+$2.00 for heaping)

Please note: There is a 1 km distance between each farm patch - please drive to second & third parking areas. Lily Lake Road is a busy 100 km/hour highway and walking along it is not allowed.

Option 1: U-Pick Pass

$25/person ages 3+

Free: toddlers 2 & under

Includes: $15 voucher per person, a wristband, train ride, petting farm, playgrounds, bale mazes.

We recommend this option for folks and families who want to stay and experience the farm after they finish picking berries!

The $15 vouchers can be used towards your strawberries, as well as towards things like ice cream, lemonades, giftware, trees, flowers, gem mining, or anything else you'd like to take home with you! The amount of strawberries you can pick is not limited by your voucher - if you pick more than $15 worth of berries, just pay for what you pick.

4L Bucket - $35.00/level pail (+$5 for heaping)

1.5L Bucket - $15.00/level pail (+$2 for heaping)

Please note: the corn and sunflower mazes won't be ready until the end of August.

Option 2: No Admission

Pay for what you pick! Does not include wristband, train ride, petting farm, playgrounds, or bale mazes.

We recommend this option for folks on a mission. The mission? Strawberries!

4L Bucket - $35.00/level pail (+$5 for heaping)

1.5L Bucket - $15.00/level pail (+$2 for heaping)

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2022 Strawberry Crop Report - Strawberry Season Done. U-Pick Vegetables Available!
Our summer strawberry season is finished for 2022. We will have a fall crop of strawberries that should be ready by mid-September - the same time as our Apple and Pumpkin U-Pick. U-Pick Vegetables are available Wednesday - Sunday 9:30am-6:00pm. The following is in season: shelling peas, snow peas, purple snow peas, romano beans, purple beans, yellow beans, green beans, cousa, yellow zucchini, green zucchini, swiss chard, kale, and potatoes. Visit us on Open Farm Days (August 14th) for the start of our Garlic Harvest!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

DO YOU HAVE STRAWBERRIES READY TO PICK NOW?
  • Our season runs from Mid-July to Mid-August. We grow 6 different kinds of strawberries for our u-pick - Kent, Honeyoe, Cabot, Valley Sunset, Albion & Seascape. They all ripen at different times - which gives us a longer season. Call 780-921-2272 to confirm availability before coming.
DO I NEED TO MAKE A RESERVATION?
  • Strawberries are first come, first serve - no reservations! We pick on Wednesdays and Saturdays, starting at 10am. We recommend coming early for best berry selection.
CAN I BRING CHILDREN TO U-PICK STRAWBERRIES?
  • Absolutely! Children love picking fruits & veggies. Plus, we have train rides, a petting farm, and playgrounds to enjoy at Prairie Gardens, so you can purchase a U-Pick Pass if you'd like to enjoy the farm after picking your berries! We do recommend a ratio of 1 adult:3 children. Children must be supervised while in the u-pick field.
        CAN I BRING MY DOG TO U-PICK STRAWBERRIES?
        • Thank you for asking! Please leave your pets at home. They will not be allowed into the picking areas (health regulations) or into the farm as we have little kids and animals like bunnies, and it is too hot to leave them in your vehicle.
          WHAT ELSE CAN WE PICK AT THE FARM?
          • What's in season varies! We have planted a lot of vegetables in the garden this season! The following veggies are growing in the field for u-pick: peas, green beans, wax beans, kale, lettuce, potatoes, pickling cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, carrots, beets, broad beans, sorrel, herbs, tomatoes, pumpkins, and garlic!
          HOW MUCH IS A BUCKET OF STRAWBERRIES?
          • A level 4L pail of strawberries is $35.00. A heaping 4L pail is $40.00. A level 1.5L pail is $15.00 and a heaping 1.5L pail is $17.00.
          WILL THERE BE AN ADMISSION?
          1. Option 1: Purchase our U-Pick Pass, which includes a $15 voucher (that you can use on strawberries, veggies, ice cream, giftware, trees, plants, gem mining, etc.), and a wristband, which gives you access to the Prairie Gardens where you can enjoy a train ride, the playgrounds, bale mazes, and our petting farm. Please note: the corn and sunflower mazes won't be ready until the end of August. You're not limited by your $15 voucher - if you would like to pick more berries, you certainly can! Just pay for the additional berries at the exit when you redeem your vouchers.
          2. Option 2: - No Admission. You can simply pay for what you pick! Please note: this option does not include a wristband, or the experiences it includes (train ride, petting farm, bale mazes, playgrounds, etc.).
          WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T PURCHASE A U-PICK PASS, BUT STILL WANT TO EXPERIENCE THE FARM (TRAIN RIDES, PETTING FARM, PLAYGROUNDS, ETC.)?
          • You can purchase admission - our Farm Animal Discovery Pass - at Prairie Gardens! Passes are $25/person and include the wristband, a $5 voucher, a planting project to take home, and bonus gem mining for the kids (ages 3+).
          CAN I PURCHASE THE U-PICK PASS ONLINE?
          • Because strawberries are first come, first serve, you can only purchase the U-Pick Pass at the strawberry patch. Once the berries are finished for the day, we close the u-pick patch. You can purchase Farm Animal Discovery Passes online.
          CAN WE BRING OUR OWN PICNIC?
          • There is no picnic area at the U-Pick Patch. Please do not bring outside food to eat on the farm. We recommend enjoying your picnic before or after your time on the farm - Echo Glen Park located in Gibbons (10min away) has picnic sites and over 2km of nature trails to enjoy. There is a public park located in Bon Accord (5min away) and a day use area at Halfmoon Lake (20min north).
          WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
          • The U-Pick Patch and other farm experiences are outside - so dress for the weather! There is straw in the U-Pick patch, but some areas can get muddy, especially if we've had rain recently. Sunscreen and hats are a marvelous idea for hot, sunny days. Good/comfortable footwear is a must!
          WHAT HAPPENS IF IT'S A RAINY DAY?
          • Dress for the weather and come pick some strawberries!
          DO I HAVE TO WEAR A MASK?
          • Masks are not required. The U-Pick Patch is outside and we have lots of space. You can wear a mask if that is more comfortable for you.