Pick-Your-Own Strawberries!

Posted on by loudcanvas

By Caitlin Porter, Seacoast Eat Local Intern

June is here! The start of summer means many local fruits and vegetables will be coming into season. As the school year ends and the weather warms up, pick-your-own berries becomes a popular activity for people of all ages.

strawberries1

 

 

There are many farms all over New Hampshire and Maine that provide PYO strawberries including the following:

(Always call ahead to check for crop availability, as weather can easily damage strawberry crops.)

[one_half]

Applecrest Farm Orchards
133 Exeter Road (Rte 88)
Hampton Falls, NH
(603) 926-3721

Butternut Farm
195 Meaderboro Road
Farmington, NH
(603) 335-4705

Hickory Hill Farm
245 Back Road
Dover, NH
(603) 742-0553

Riverside Farm Stand and Greenhouse
323 Elm Street (Rte 4)
North Berwick, ME
(207) 676-2868[/one_half][one_half_last]

Blueberry Bay Farm
38 Depot Road
Stratham, NH
(603) 580-1612

Doles Orchard
187 Doles Ridge Road
Limington, ME
(207) 793-4409

Monahan Farm
1 East Road at the intersection of Rt.107 & Rt.108
East Kingston, NH
(603) 642-8186

Sunnycrest Farm
59 High Range Road
Londonderry, NH
(603) 432-7753

[/one_half_last]

strawberries2

 

Tips for picking strawberries:

  • The ripe strawberries are bright red, and unlike other fruits strawberries will not ripen after picking

  • Eat strawberries within 1-2 days of picking, and do not wash until you are going to eat them

  • Picked strawberries can be used for jams, sauces, ice cream toppers, as well as snacking

  • Smaller strawberries tend to be more flavorful and less watery than larger strawberries

strawberries3

 

 

Health Benefits of Strawberries:

  • High amount of antioxidants (aka cancer fighting)

  • Reduce risk of heart disease

  • High amount of fiber, vitamin C, folic acid and potassium

 

 

Sources:

http://www.pickyourown.org/strawberries.htm

http://www.circlesfarm.com/strawberrytips.html

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/271285.php