For the first time – ever – in 30 years of growing strawberries, Prairie Gardens’ U-Pick strawberry fans enjoy a very early U-Pick Strawberry crop in 2016, a full 2 weeks ahead of schedule!
“We’re very surprised to see ripe strawberries this soon! We usually don’t have ripe berries until mid-July!” Tam Andersen – Farmer.
Want to start with strawberries and come back later in the season? Later in the summer and into the fall, come back for a surprising variety of heirloom pumpkins, winter squash and vegetables to pick and take home. From arugula to bok choi, winter squash, to sun-drenched strawberries & tomatoes, there’s plenty of picking opportunities for you and your family.
Never Been to a U-Pick Strawberry Patch?
It takes about three days for a half-ripe berry to turn red. Usually we have folks out picking on Saturday mornings, which means that ripe berries are ready by Wednesday again. Picking days are Saturdays and Wednesdays, if the weather cooperates. If it rains, it’s the next sunny day. A little hard to plan for, but that’s nature for you!
The “King” Berries are the first and largest of the season. Pick-Your-Own starts for them about the 15th of July. They are the first berry of the berry cluster, and are available for the first week.
“Main-Season” Alberta U-Pick Strawberries in the Edmonton region are ripe for the picking the week of July 22nd. The berries are sweet, juicy and dripping with sun-ripened flavor. Main season picking runs for about a week to 10 days, until the end of July.
The “Fairy” Berries are the sweetest (and the smallest) of the season. They’re usually ready for the beginning of August, but the hot weather changed everything! Celebrate the end of the strawberry season with us at our on-farm Fairy Berry Festival the August long weekend.
How much does it cost? The U-Pick Price is $20 for 4 L and $15 / 1.5 L
Want to learn more, get directions and additional details? Visit www.prairiegardens.org.