Strawberry fields: Where to pick strawberries in and around Salem
Strawberry season is dawning in the Willamette Valley as a very wet spring lingers. Some farms already are open to pick your own.
Here's a list of which farms are open -- or planning to be soon -- in alphabetical order by location. Before you go, double-check the farm's website or Facebook page to make sure they're open and that strawberries are still available.
What to bring:
Containers - While many farms have buckets to pick into and containers to buy, you'll save money if you remember to bring your own. Kitchen containers (like Tupperware) are great for berries because they're lightweight, easy to carry and, once you get home, they can go straight into the fridge. Shallow is better than deep to prevent bruising. Remember to have your container weighed before you start picking and bring more than you think you need because you'll often end up using them.
Sunscreen & Hat - Picking berries often means standing in the full sun. Prepare accordingly and your picking experience will be much more comfortable.
Water & Snacks - Few farmers would begrudge someone snacking on a few berries in the field, but it's rude to treat a U-Pick excursion as though it's a snack bar. Bring snacks, especially for kids, and plenty of water for everyone.
Bug Spray - In case flies or mosquitoes are biting.
Long Sleeves - Having sleeves on is helpful when you're picking strawberries as the leaves are covered in micro hairs that irritate some people's skin.
Sturdy Shoes - Farms can be muddy places. Skip the sandals and opt for closed-toed shoes.
Cooler & Ice - If you've got a bit of a drive home, having a cooler at the ready will help keep your berries from starting to turn to jam on the way back.
Cash - Some farms take credit/debit cards, but many, especially smaller ones, do not. Bring cash and/or a checkbook.
What not to bring:
Pets - It's tempting to bring your pup along with you, but many farms have livestock who might be perturbed by canine visitors. Always call ahead to check with a specific farm on what their policy is on dogs.
Canby
South Barlow Berries
Where: 29190 South Barlow Road, Canby
Phone: (503) 266-3193
Strawberry u-pick season starts: June 4
Open: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays
Information:
South Barlow Berries (Facebook)
Corvallis
Davis Family Farm
Where: 4380 NE Highway 20, Corvallis
Phone: 541-752-0697
Strawberry u-pick season starts: Tentatively, June 9, but check their Facebook page
Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day
Information: Davis Family Farm (Facebook)
Fairfield Farm
Where: 29204 Lakeside Dr., Corvallis
Phone: 541-760-8163
Strawberry u-pick season starts: Tentatively, the weekend of June 11, but check their Facebook page first.
Information: Fairfield Farm (Facebook)
Dallas
Sliverfarm Fruit
Where: 6000 Perrydale Road, Dallas
Phone: 503-623-2713
Strawberry u-pick season starts: Tentatively, the first or second weekend in June
Open: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.
Information: Sliverfarm Fruit (Facebook)
Dayton
Jeff and Jen's U-Pick
Where: 18265 SE Neck Road, Dayton
Phone: 503-560-9275
Strawberry u-pick season started: June 1
Open: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day
Information:
Hubbard
Boones Ferry Berry Farms
Where: 19602 Boones Ferry Road NE, Hubbard
Phone: 503-678-5871
Strawberry u-pick season started: May 30
Open: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday (no u-pickers after 5:30 p.m.), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Information:
Boones Ferry Berry Farms (Facebook
Jefferson
Greens Bridge Gardens
Where: 3730 Jefferson Scio Dr SE, Jefferson
Phone: 541-327-2995
Strawberry u-pick season starts: The farm is "soft opening" strawberry picking now for customers to pick "a bowl or so" of berries, but check their Facebook page for updates.
Open: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day
Information: Greens Bridge Gardens (Facebook)
Farmers: Proposed large chicken ranch ruffles feathers of neighbors around Scio
McMinnville
Bernards Farm
Where: 18755 Highway 18, McMinnville
Phone: 503-472-4933
Strawberry u-pick season starts: The first weekend in June
Open: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day
Information:
Bernards Farm (Facebook)
Salem
Fordyce Farm
Where: 7023 Sunnyview Rd NE, Salem
Phone: (503) 362-5105
Strawberry u-pick season starts: June 7
Open: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Information:
Minto Island Growers
Where: 3394 Brown Island Rd S, Salem
Phone: 503-931-6840
Strawberry u-pick season starts: To be determined, possibly the third or fourth weekend in June
Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday
Information: Minto Island Growers
Rick Johnson Farm
Where: 3310 Perkins Street NE, Salem
Phone: 503-393-0859
Strawberry u-pick season starts: To be determined, possibly at the end of the second week of June, so keep an eye on their Facebook page.
Open: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays
Information: Rick Johnson Farm (Facebook)
Stuart Olson Farms
Where: 6925 Joseph St SE, Salem
Phone: 503-362-5942
Strawberry u-pick season starts: Tentatively, June 9 or 10
Open: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For u-pick, get there at least an hour before closing.
Information:
Stuart Olson Farms (Facebook)
St. Paul
French Prairie Gardens
Where: 17673 French Prairie Road NE St. Paul
Phone: (503) 633-8445
Strawberry u-pick season starts: Strawberries available only during Berries, Brews, and BBQ’s festival the first three weekends in June, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Information:
French Prairie Gardens (Facebook)
Koch Family Farm
Where: 4745 Raybell Road NE, St. Paul
Phone: 503-502-8399 to check for U-pick strawberry availability
Strawberry u-pick season starts: June 2
Open: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day
Information:
Koch Family Farm (Facebook)
Claire Withycombe is a state government reporter for the Statesman Journal. You can reach her at 503-910-3821 or cwithycombe@statesmanjournal.com.
Bill Poehler and Emily Teel contributed reporting. Poehler covers Marion County for the Statesman Journal and Teel was the Statesman Journal's former Food and Drink Editor.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Where to pick strawberries in and around Salem, Oregon
