Chilly spring hurts u-pick strawberries: Where you can still find them around Rochester
Locally grown strawberries are starting to pop up at local farm markets, but if you want to pick your own, you may find fewer choices than in years past.
Because of some chilly late spring weather and a frost in mid-May that crippled some crops, many strawberry plants in the region were either delayed or damaged.
As a result, many area farmers said that pick-your own strawberry season has started a bit later than usual this June, or may not happen at all.
Chase Farms in Perinton, Gro-Moore Farms in Rush and Bauman's Farm Market in Penfield are among the places offering u-pick strawberries, starting this week.
LaMora Farms in Ontario Wayne County, lost nearly 70% of its strawberry crop to frost, which means it will not offer pick-your-own for strawberries or cherries this summer, said Lindsay LaMora. All strawberries harvested will be on sale at the orchard's farm stand, she said. The farm does plan to offer pick-your-own peaches in August.
The rains, colder-than-normal weather and smoke delayed ripening of all crops at G and S Orchard in Walworth, Wayne County, said owner Stephanie Craft.
One orchard — Kirby's Farm Market in Brockport — chose not to grow strawberries this year to rest the field, but plan to resume with a bumper crop in 2024. Schutt's Apple Mill in Penfield, known for its apples, cider and fried cakes, has planted a field of strawberry plants with plans to offer u-pick in 2024.
Here are some pick-your-own farms in the Rochester area offering u-pick fruit and berries this summer. Hours could change daily based on availability and weather, so call the farms or check their social media accounts for the latest information.
Bauman's Farm Market
Located at 1340 Five Mile Line Road in Penfield. Pick-your-own strawberries is underway and offered daily from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call (585) 671-2820.
Burch Farms
Located at 527 North Ave. (Route 259) in Parma, just north of Hilton. Offers u-pick strawberries, sweet cherries and blueberries. Since this farm is close to Lake Ontario, it experiences cooler temperatures, so picking usually starts and finishes later in the season than other farms in the area. In 2023, strawberry picking is expected to begin on June 24. Picking is daily between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For updates, call (585) 392-2095.
Chase Farms
Located at 469 Pannell Road in Perinton. The farm has a strawberry shortcake and sundae stand. It also grows u-pick raspberries, currants and gooseberries. It also grows a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, for sale at its market. Strawberry picking started this week with morning and evening hours, but check on the farm's hotline for the day's schedule and what is available by calling (315) 986-3691.
G and S Orchards
Located at 825 Atlantic Ave. in Walworth, a mile east of the Penfield town line. The farm grows u-pick strawberries, juneberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, currants and gooseberries. Pick-your-own strawberries are not yet ready, but the orchard is aiming for the end of June. They also have a roadside stand and a CSA for fruits and vegetables. Call (315) 524-3823 for updates.
Gro-Moore Farms
Located at 736 Rush-Scottsville Road in Rush. The farm is open for u-pick strawberries and its roadside stand is open as well. Call (585) 533-1578 to ensure availability. Pick-your-own fields sometimes close due to weather. Payment is cash only. (The farm's retail operation on East Henrietta Road has closed.)
Hurd Orchards
Located at 17260 Ridge Road, Murray, Orleans County. This summer the farm plans to offer pick-your-own strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. The Orchard hopes to start offering pick-your-own strawberries by the last week of June. Hours will change as the u-pick season unfolds, so call (585) 638-8838 for the latest.
Mendon Acres
Located at 4287 Clover St. in Mendon. Offers u-pick strawberries, raspberries and blackberries throughout the summer. Pick-your-own strawberries has not started for the season, and it is not yet clear if they will be offered. Call (585) 348-7662.
Schutt's Apple Mill
Located at 1063 Plank Road in Penfield. Offers u-pick cherries and raspberries starting in early July, but the crop may be limited due to the mid-May frost. Call (585) 872 2924 for the latest information.
West Wind Fruit Farm
Located at 928 Manitou Road, Hilton. The farm is to open in July for picking raspberries, blueberries, gooseberries, currants, apricots, peaches, nectarines and plums. Call (585) 234-0252 for the most up-to-date information.
Whittier Fruit Farm
Located at 219 Whittier Road in Ogden. Offers u-pick blueberries and sweet cherries, and is expected to open in early summer. Call (585) 594-9054.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: U-pick strawberries near Rochester NY: Where to go in 2023
