U-Pick Strawberries
2024 Strawberry Crop Report
July 21 Update: U-Pick strawberries now available! Picking days on Wednesdays & Saturdays. The heat is causing berries to ripen quickly, so they are smaller than some years.
Strawberries are late this year. There was a hard frost this June, which froze the first set of blossoms. This means that we have lost the first half of the strawberry crop.
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.
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 volume, not by weight. We provide buckets to pick into, but please bring your own containers to transfer your berries into. Buckets can be purchased onsite if you don't have a container to transfer into. Pay for your strawberries at the exit - cash, debit & credit accepted.
4L Pail - $37.00/level pail (+$5.00 for heaping)
1.5L Pail - $20.00/level pail (+$2.00 for heaping)
1 Quart - $13.00 level
1 Pint - $7.00 level
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
$10 per wristband
Includes: train ride, petting farm, playgrounds, bale mazes & free picnic site (at Prairie Gardens - not the berry patch).
We recommend this option for folks and families who want to stay and experience the farm after they finish picking berries!
Please note: any berries picked must be paid for
4L Bucket - $37.00/level pail (+$5 for heaping)
1.5L Bucket - $20.00/level pail (+$2 for heaping)
1 Quart - $13.00 level
1 Pint - $7.00 level
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 - $37.00/level pail (+$5 for heaping)
1.5L Bucket - $20.00/level pail (+$2 for heaping)
1 Quart - $13.00 level
1 Pint - $7.00 level
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
DO YOU HAVE STRAWBERRIES READY TO PICK NOW?
- Our season runs from Mid-July to Mid-August. We grow 10 different kinds of strawberries for our u-pick - Kent, Honeoye, Mira, Lila, Brunswick, 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 $37.00. A heaping 4L pail is $42.00. A level 1.5L pail is $20.00 and a heaping 1.5L pail is $22.00.
WILL THERE BE AN ADMISSION?
- Option 1: Purchase our U-Pick Pass, which includes 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.
- 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 at Prairie Gardens! Tickets are $16.81/person (ages 13+) and $15.81/child (ages 3-12).
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 Admission tickets online.
CAN WE BRING OUR OWN PICNIC?
- Yes, a free picnic site is included with the U-Pick Pass. Picnic sites are located at Prairie Gardens (no picnic sites in the u-pick fields).
- If you do not wish to purchase a u-pick pass, 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).
- New 2024! Picnic sites are included with the purchase of a U-Pick Pass or General Admission. Please note: all visitors must purchase tickets in order to use the picnic site. Picnic sites are located at Prairie Gardens (not at the u-pick strawberry fields).
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.