Strawberry season is here! Here are three great places to pick your own in Northern Virginia.

Picking your own fruit is a wonderful family-friendly activity in this area. Make a picnic lunch, and head out early to find the biggest, juiciest strawberries in the fields. Peak season is mid-to late-May in Northern Virginia, so mark your calendars for a u-pick outing soon. 

Green Truck Farm

ADDRESS: 3015 Hartland Lane | Markham, VA
PHONE: (540) 316-7715

This family farm has a wide variety of fruit and berries to pick, starting with strawberries in mid-May. Located right off of 66 in Markham, it's very easy to get to – just look for the green truck! Make a day of it and hit one of the local wineries for lunch and a tasting.

They plan on being open daily from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. as long as the berries last. For 2021 picking instructions, give them a call before heading out. There's a recorded line that will tell you all about the field conditions.

For more information, visit their Facebook page for updates and announcements.

Courtesy of Green Truck Farm

Hollin Farms

ADDRESS: 1524 Snowden Road | Delaplane, VA
PHONE: (540) 592-3574

Hollin Farms opens for pick-your-own crops in late May and runs through October with various fruits and vegetables in season. There is no admission fee, and they recommend you call or check out their website before driving out to see them.

*It doesn't look like their Facebook page is updated for the 2021 season yet, so keep checking back!

Courtesy of Hollin Farms

Yankey Farms

ADDRESS: 14039 Owls Nest Road | Nokesville, VA
PHONE: (703) 618-3782

This Nokesville farm is easy to get to and quite close for most in Prince William County. Pick your own or get some field-fresh berries pre-picked for your convenience.

New for 2021, reservations are required and you can make them here to pick the next day. You'll pay for what you harvest, and the strawberries are $30 per gallon. Check their website for additional information.

Courtesy of Yankey Farms

Tips on Picking Strawberries

• Only go for all-red berries – they do not continue to ripen once picked. If you get one with a paler spot, save it to add to a salad.
• Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time and choose carefully because strawberries only last a few days at room temperature.
• Leave early to head to the farm. U-pick folks are early risers and some fields may be closed by lunchtime. Do everyone a favor and leave your four-legged friends at home.
• Pick each berry about 1/2" up, by pinching the stem carefully. Teach the smaller kids to be careful of the plants.
• Only wash the berries right before you use them. Rinsing them can promote early rot.
• Freeze washed, hulled whole berries for months of summer flavor. Enjoy the fruits of your labor well into the fall!

Pickyourown.org is a great resource for finding farms in your state. Check them out, and see if there are other strawberry fields near you!

Are you heading out to pick strawberries this year? Where do you go? Leave a comment and let us know!