It’s prime strawberry season in Delaware, and we’ve gathered all you need to know to embark on a strawberry-picking adventure.
With clear skies and plenty of sunshine, picking a bucket of Delaware’s official fruit is a great family outing or something fun to do with friends, while also supporting local farmers.
Before you go, make sure you check the weather forecast, pack a water bottle and apply sunscreen. It is also recommended that you wear closed-toe shoes when picking produce on the farms.
For anyone who is new to the world of strawberry picking, all you have to do is pinch the green stem between your thumb and index finger then lightly pull and twist at the same time.
A few more key tips for a successful berry bounty include picking only strawberries that are fully red, looking through plant beds that are less picked-over and not picking any berries with white tips, green berries or strawberry flowers.
To help your strawberries last longer, refrigerate them as soon as possible after picking them and only wash them right before you plan to eat them.
Now that we’ve gone through the basics, here are several local farms ready to provide a day full of u-pick fun:
Fifer Orchards, Camden
Recognized as a Delaware century family farm after opening in 1919, Fifer Orchards in Camden offers strawberry picking Monday-Saturday and provides a QR code with every purchase that shares information about the fun ways your freshly picked strawberries can be used.
Complete with yard games, picnic tables and restrooms for public use, you can also stop by the Farm Store to purchase local goodies and a selection of the orchard’s fresh fruits and vegetables.
For an all-day adventure, Fifer Orchards has special events on weekends called “Saturday extras” that could include activities such as live music, farm animal exhibits, educational presenters, tractor train rides, cooking demonstrations, face painting, food trucks and more.
If you find yourself getting hungry after picking strawberries, the Farm Kitchen building sells lunch and dessert items including cider donuts, strawberry ice cream, apple cider slushies and homemade strawberry shortcakes.
The farm also uses its Facebook page to keep guests updated on daily picking conditions and orchard offerings.
1919 Allabands Mill Road, Camden, (302) 697-2141; https://www.fiferorchards.com/
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Hundred Acre Farms, Smyrna
In Smyrna, Hundred Acre Farms offers strawberry picking on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Mondays and Fridays after 5 p.m. if you contact them before arriving.
This small family farm is located on about three acres of land and focuses on fruits, vegetables, bees, small batch jams and Christmas trees. Purchased in 1938, the farm is nearly a century old.
Following your day in the fields, check out some of their homemade honey jams that come in two strawberry flavors. Their red, black & blue jam is made with strawberries, blackberries and blueberries and their strawberry apple jam, one of their most popular flavors, includes strawberries, apples, honey and no added sugar.
If you’re unable to partake in a day of fruit picking but still want fresh local produce, Hundred Acre Farms offers a pick-up option so visitors can have their favorite farm produce set aside for them. All you need to do is reserve your items through the farm and they will deliver the order right to your car when you arrive.
2124 Vandyke Greenspring Road, Smyrna, (602) 689-6403; https://www.hundredacrefarms.org/
Twisted Steel Cattle Company LLC, Harrington
In Harrington, Twisted Steel Cattle Company LLC is a farm market specializing in homegrown beef, produce and other goods.
Strawberry picking is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., rain or shine. If you want more strawberry goodness, they offer prepicked strawberries by the quart, berries for dipping or that have been pre-dipped and fresh strawberry jam.
Preorder and pickup options are also available for any of their market offerings.
14255 South DuPont Highway, Harrington, (302) 566-6943; https://www.facebook.com/TwistedSteelBeef/
Magee Farms, Selbyville
Family-owned since 1865, Magee Farms has provided local produce for five generations, as well as flowers and other plants, decorations, prepared foods and more.
Their farm stands, located in both Selbyville and Lewes, are open from April to December and have strawberry picking available from May to mid-June. They have been growing strawberries for over 25 years and encourage all to come out and pick berries themselves or buy their prepicked quarts.
Strawberry picking is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Call ahead or check their Facebook page for u-pick updates.
At their farm stand, you can find a variety of seasonal produce including corn throughout the summer, pumpkins in the fall and Christmas trees in the winter, so make sure you pay them another visit throughout the seasons.
If you can’t make it to the stand for fresh strawberries, Magee Farms has a booth at farmer’s markets in Bethany, Fenwick and Bethany Sea Colony.
Selbyville location: 34887 Lighthouse Road, Selbyville, (302) 519-6881; Lewes location: 33761 Wescoats Road, Lewes, (302) 519-1559; https://www.mageefarms.com/
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