Strawberry picking season is here. Find the best farms in the Triangle area

Spring is here, which means strawberry season is upon us in North Carolina.

Given the warm weather much of North Carolina experienced late this winter — particularly in February — the state is on track for an earlier-than-normal start to the strawberry season, according to information shared with the Southern Farm Network by N.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler last week.

Troxler reported that berries were already becoming available in the eastern part of the state, while berries in the Piedmont region were about three weeks ahead of schedule.

If you’re ready to find some strawberries this spring, we’ve compiled a list of some popular farms in the Triangle, divided by location.

Here’s where you can find pick-your-own (often called U-Pick) berries in the Triangle this spring. If we missed a great strawberry picking spot, let us know by emailing ask@newsobserver.com.

Note: We recommend checking with each farm before you head out to pick, either by calling or checking their website or social media, to get up-to-date hours for this year’s strawberry season, daily berry availability and other information for picking.

Where to pick strawberries in Raleigh

▪ Hunts Strawberry Farm — Located in northeast Raleigh, Hunts Strawberry Farm offers U-Pick and pre-picked berries. Posts on the farm’s Facebook page indicate the farm is open for the 2023 season, with updates on hours and berry availability posted regularly. U-Pick berries are $15 per gallon and pre-picked berries are $20, and the farm accepts only cash and check payment. Hunts also has pound cakes and honey available for purchase. Location: 4505 Watkins Rd., Raleigh. More info: facebook.com/people/Hunts-Strawberry-Farm/100057352604694

▪ Page Farms — This northwest Raleigh farm is open during the spring, summer and fall, with different offerings each season. The farm is open for the 2023 strawberry season, with U-Pick and pre-picked berries available. The farm accepts cash and debit/credit card payment. The farm also offers fresh-cut flowers and a variety of produce, including cucumbers, squash, tomatoes and more. Location: 6100 Mount Herman Rd., Raleigh. More info: pagefarmsraleigh.com/strawberry

▪ Porter Farms and Nursery — This farm offers two locations: one in Raleigh and one in Willow Spring. You’ll find pre-picked and U-Pick strawberries, plus homemade ice cream and other goodies, like lemonade and vegetable plants. Both locations are open for the 2023 season, but daily berry availability and hours may vary, so check the farm’s Facebook page for the latest information. Locations: 7615 Ten-Ten Rd., Raleigh, and 3525 NC Highway 42, Willow Spring. More info: facebook.com/Porter-Farms-and-Nursery-142977167259

Where to pick strawberries in Apex

▪ Buckwheat Farm — This farm in Apex has been growing strawberries for more than 20 years. The farm offers pre-picked and U-Pick berries, plus homemade ice cream. Other offerings from the farm throughout the year include honey, jams, jellies and more. Facebook posts by the farm indicate the farm is open for the 2023 strawberry season. Location: 2700 Holland Rd., Apex. More info: facebook.com/Buckwheat-Farm-299970047363

▪ DJ’s Berry Patch — This Apex farm is open for the 2023 strawberry season, with updates on berry availability provided on the farm’s website and Facebook page. The farm offers pre-picked and U-Pick berries, plus a variety of other produce throughout the year. The farm provides buckets for strawberry picking, and encourages visitors to wear sunscreen, long pants and sturdy shoes. Location: 1223 Salem Church Rd., Apex. More info: facebook.com/DJs-Berry-Patch-122337307802631

Where to pick strawberries in Knightdale

▪ Pope’s Strawberry Farm — Located just east of Raleigh, Pope’s Strawberry Farm offers U-Pick and pre-picked strawberries, plus jam. Facebook posts by the farm indicate it is open for the 2023 strawberry season, with updates on berry availability and hours posted regularly. U-Pick strawberries are $16 per gallon and pre-picked berries are $19 per gallon. Quarts of berries are also available for $6. This farm accepts cash or check payments only. Location: 1305 Fayetteville St., Knightdale. More info: facebook.com/people/Popes-Strawberry-Farm/100064455383465

Where to pick strawberries in Wake Forest

▪ The Collard Patch — This pick-your-own roadside farm market near Rolesville does offer collard greens (and a variety of other vegetables), but you can also find U-Pick and pre-picked strawberries. The farm is open for the 2023 strawberry season. Find up-to-date picking hours and prices on the farm’s Facebook page. Location: 7012 Pulley Town Rd., Wake Forest. More info: facebook.com/thecollardpatch

Where to pick strawberries in Durham

▪ Waller Family Farm — Waller Family Farm is a working strawberry, vegetable and beef cattle farm in Durham County. The Waller family, who runs the farm, is “strongly committed to preserving the rural character and open space that their farm provides.” The farm’s 2023 strawberry season has started, with U-Pick berries available. Regular updates on berry availability and hours are available on the farm’s Facebook page. Location: 5030 Kerley Rd., Durham. More info: facebook.com/Waller-Family-Farm-102676216473557

Where to pick strawberries in Orange County

▪ Double R Strawberry Patch — Also a cattle farm, Double R strawberries “have been a neighborhood favorite since 2009.” Strawberry season for this farm is typically around May, but may go earlier or later, depending on the weather. A Facebook post from April 9 indicated berries weren’t quite ready for the 2023 season, but you can sign up to receive updates on the start of the season on the farm’s website. The farm encourages you to dress for the weather and bring water to stay hydrated while you pick your berries. Location: 701 Ollie Lane, Hillsborough. More info: facebook.com/Double-R-Cattle-Services-Inc-188796731163165 or doublercattleservices.com

▪ Eno River Farm — Located in Hillsborough, this family-oriented farm offers fresh berries, plus a variety of plants and homemade ice cream. U-Pick and pre-picked berries are available, and wheelchair accessible picking has been offered in previous strawberry seasons. The 2023 strawberry season has started, according to posts on the farm’s Facebook page. Location: 2127 St. Mary’s Road, Hillsborough. More info: facebook.com/enoriverfarm

▪ McAdams Farm — Generations of the McAdams family have been farming at this northern Orange County farm since 1885. The farm counts down the weeks to strawberry season — typically beginning in late April or early May — each year with a roadside sign, building excitement for passersby. The farm offers U-Pick and pre-picked berries, plus a wide variety of other vegetables and flowers. The 2023 strawberry season has not started as of April 12, but a Facebook post from the farm says it should begin within 10 days. Location: 1100 Efland-Cedar Grove Rd., Efland. More info: facebook.com/mcadamsfarm

Where to pick strawberries in Johnston County

▪ Pace Family Farms — Head to Clayton for U-Pick and pre-picked berries at this family-owned farm. The farm’s strawberry season typically begins in mid-April and lasts to about the second week in June. Social media posts by the farm indicate pre-picked and U-Pick berries are available for the 2023 season. The farm provides buckets for picking, but you can also bring your own, as long as it’s clean. Location: 12701 Buffalo Rd., Clayton. More info: facebook.com/PaceFamilyFarms2 or instagram.com/pace_family_farms

▪ Smith’s Nursery & Produce Farm — Find strawberries, blueberries, greenhouse tomatoes, pumpkins and more at this family-owned Benson farm, plus a roadside farm market and ice cream stand. The farm also operates a wholesale and retail nursery. Social media posts by the farm indicate its 2023 strawberry season has started, with U-Pick and pre-picked berries available. Location: 443 Sanders Rd., Benson. More info: facebook.com/smithsnurseryandproducefarm