2024 Central Indiana Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org
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Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Central Indiana in 2024, by county
Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for strawberriesthat we know of in this area.
Not all areas of a state have strawberries farms that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using theadd a farmform!
Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email themif they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!
PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect infousing the "Report Corrections" form below.
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Clinton County
Smith Farms- apples, flowers, peaches, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (black), strawberries, U-pick and already picked, picnic area you may bring your own food 1465 North 800 West, Frankfort, IN 46041. Phone: 7652969554. Email:smithfarms63@gmail.com. Open: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: see website for directions. For a map to our farm, .Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. Smith Farms Facebook page. Please check our website in May for our pick your own strawberry hoursPEACH SEASON MID JULY - MID AUGUST. Peach Varieties: Early Red Haven, Red Star , Bright Star, Blazing Star, Glow Haven, Canadian Harmony, Glowing Star, J.H. Hale, Star Fire, Artic Gem, Crest Haven, Red Globe and O'Henry. Please visit us on Facebook for exact picking dates and times. APPLE SEASON LATE AUGUST- LATE OCTOBER: Apple Varieties: : Macintosh, Cortland, Jonathan, Early Fuji, Early Red One, Oregon Spur, Melrose, Cameo, and Honey Crisp. PUMPKIN SEASON LATE SEPTEMBER-LATE OCTOBER: We will also have our "own" mums and cornstalks available at this time. We are opening our Strawberry Fields on Monday in late May. Please note these hours may change due to weather/crop conditions. We will update Facebook daily with exact dates and times or you may call us
Delaware County
Landess Farm- pumpkins, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, farm market, school tours 6000 Wcr 700 South, Daleville, IN 47334. Phone: 765-759-9937. Email:LandessFarm@gmail.com. Open: Monday to friday from 12 pm to 6 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm and Closed on Saturday. Directions: .Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. Landess Farm Facebook page. Strawberries start beginning of June; corn, tomatoes and other produce in July; and pumpkins in October; Pumpkin patch and corn maze open the last Sunday in September until the Sunday before Halloween(UPDATED: October 06, 2019, JBS)
Hamilton County
Spencer Farm- asparagus, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, black raspberries, red raspberries, pumpkins, field grown chrysanthemums, restrooms 7177 East 161st Street, Noblesville, IN 46062. Phone: 317-776-1560. Email:spencerfarm@att.net. Open: For current hours of operation please visit our website. Directions: Follow signs from 146th Street and Allisonville Rd. Gift shop. Typical crop availability: May-Asparagus, Rhubarb. June-strawberries, black raspberries, blueberries. July-Blueberries. August and September- red raspberries, mums, summer vegetables. October- pumpkins and mums. November and December- live .Click here for a map and directions. Payment: cash, credit cards. Spencer Farm Facebook page. Christmas treesWe now have pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, straw bales, field grown chrysanthemums, etc., and hayrides to the pumpkin patch on Saturday and Sunday. In the market we have apples grown right here in Indiana, along with many, many fall festive items. Don't forget to order your Thanksgiving pies and baked goods, we will be open all year! Spencer's You-Pick is now. Our name has changed slightly, but our determination to serve our many valued customers through the years remains the same Comments from a visitoron June 29, 2012: "Farm is very conveniently located to metropolitan Indy. We picked black raspberries here 3 times during peak season. Bushes are very healthy and the berries are irrigated so the drought didn't affect their size as much as I saw on other Indiana farms. The black raspberry prices are a little high but considering the prices for gas, you really won't spend more money picking here if you had to drive further. The staff was pleasant and the picking atmosphere was very easy going. All in all, a great picking experience and delicious black raspberries." Comments from a visitoron October 30, 2008: "There is a country store with ice cream, fudge and 20 different kinds of home-made pies. Also the best cinnamon rolls are made there every morning. During the month of October there is free hay rides to the pumkin patch. Picking your own berries was a very fun time on the farm. They have a farm dog which seems to really love all the attention. The country store was remodeled this year with a new bakery and some of the best pies that I have tasted. The baker is within view while he is preparing the pies so that you know they are made right there. The cinnamon rolls are to die for and are made every day."
Hancock County
Piney Acres Farm- strawberries, pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, haunted corn maze, child-sized haybale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties 1115 E. 1000 North, Fortville, IN 46040. Phone: 317-326-1700. Email:pineyacresfarm@yahoo.com. Open: Call before you go - there is nothing about strawberries on their website now. Directions: click here. .Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard. Piney Acres Farm Facebook page. Crops are usually available in September, October, November, December. click here for current hoursPlease see our website for more detailed information and fun activities for the kids! Facebook page.
Henry County
Hidden Acres- Strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, wagon rides 10645 W. 425 S., Wilkinson, IN 46186. Phone: 765-785-2603. Email:randykemerly@hiddenacresfruitfarm.com. Open: 8 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday; closed on Sunday. Directions: See their website for directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Pick your own strawberries with an added Wagon Ride out to the fields! We have not been able to offer U-pick for the last several years due to weather conditions and other reasons. Choosing to be chemical free has proven to be very challenging and we have been working through these struggles with the hopes of gaining wisdom and knowledge. We are learning a lot and things are beginning to look up. We are currently transitioning to a unique - truncated. .Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Hidden Acres Facebook page. Comments from a visitoron January 10, 2012: "Had a blast, took my mother and my 3 year old son and picked strawberries till we were wore out and Loved the Wagon Rides to and from the fields! "
Johnson County
The Apple Works- strawberries, pumpkins 8157 S. 250 West, Trafalgar, IN 46181. Phone: 317-878-9317. Email:appleworks@embarqmail.com. Open: Monday thru Saturday 9am to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 6pm. Directions: From SR 135, east on SR 252 in Trafalgar; Right on CR 300 for 5 miles; Right on CR 250 W 1 mile. .Click here for a map and directions. The Apple Works Facebook page. Click here for a map. No PYO apples, only Prepicked Apples (65 varieties), We hope you plan to stay awhile when you come visit. Just outside our barn is a picnic area where you can enjoy a cool cider slush and the sounds of the waterfall across the pond. Our gazebo is a great place for a quiet chat or family photos. Take the kids across the way to visit the animals at the farm animal exhibit or take a ride through the orchard in one of our tractor-drawn wagons
Madison County
TLC Produce- Uses integrated pest management practices, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, restrooms 3912 W. 25th St, Anderson, IN 46011. Phone: (765) 810-6460. Email:tlcproduce@outlook.com. Open: Typical season is 3 weeks from the end of May to the middle of June; In season, Sunday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, supply and weather permitting; We are always closed on Saturdays; Please call ahead or check the website for availability; We do take reservations. Directions: Located on the west side of Anderson, 1 12 miles west or Raible Avenue on 25th Street. Our season is usually from May 25 to June 15. We use integrated pest management practices. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. .Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. TLC Produce Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: (765) 374-5008 Located on the west side of Anderson, 1 1/2 miles west or Raible Avenue on 25th Street. Our season is usually from May 25 to June 15. We use integrated pest management practices(ADDED: March 01, 2021)
Marion County
Driving Wind Blueberry Farm- strawberries, blueberries, blackberries Michigan Rd & W 64th St, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Phone: 317-257-3001. Open: by appointment, call for an appointment.Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. See their website for directionsThey offer U-pick blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, fall mums, local honey, fruit dressings, preserves, local produce and more.
Waterman's Family Farm- strawberries, tomatoes, corn, other vegetables, pumpkins, corn mazes, hayrides and much more 7010 E Raymond Street, Indianapolis, IN 46239. Phone: 317-888-4189. Email:mike@watermansfamilyfarm.com. Open: Daily, May through July. Directions: .Click here for a map and directions. Waterman's Family Farm Facebook page. Check here for crop availabilityFrom I-465 on the south side of Indianapolis: take SR 37 south 5 miles. Farm on west side of 37, 1/4 mile south of county line. Bring the whole family for a farmload of fun. Waterman's Grown Produce: These are approximate dates and are subject to change as weather permits. ​Strawberries June 1 to June 20Sweet Green Peas June 8 to July 4Sweet Corn July 3 to September 30Green Beans July 10 to FrostBeets July 10 to September 30Bell and Hot Peppers July 17 to FrostTomatoes July 22 to FrostCantaloupes July 30 to September 30Greens September 20 to October 31(UPDATED: May 22, 2019, JBS)
Parke County
Ditzler Farm (formerly Cherrywood Farm)- apples, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, picnic area 8184 South, 625 West, Rosedale, IN 47874. Phone: 765-548-0582. Email:cherrywoodfarm@gmail.com. Open: Strawberry U - Pick begins in late May and runs for about 5 weeks; Picking hours begin at 7:30 am , Monday through Saturday; Sunday 9 am; U-pick - May to November. Directions: Located just 1 mile east of US 41 near Lyford, Indiana. From the north, follow US41 south from Rockville for about 10 miles to CR900 South. Turn left and continue for 1 mile to crossroad 625 West and follow the signs. From the south, follow US41 north for about 11 miles from Terre Haute center. Turn right at CR900 South, after railroad overpass, and continue to crossroad 625 West and follow the signs. .Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Ditzler Farm (formerly Cherrywood Farm) Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 765-376-0138Fresh apple cider - all natural. Scoop shop featuring Glover's Ice Cream. Jams, apple butter, fruit ciders. Locally owned since 1970. Blueberry U - Pick begins in late June and continues for 3 weeks; Blackberry U - pick begins Mid - July and continues for 5 weeks; Picking hours for blueberries and blackberries begin at 9 am Strawberries are usually in good supply. Blueberries and Blackberries are often picked out early as our supply had not yet met our demand. Please call the number listed for updates during the season or text 765-376-0138. Cherrywood farm offers a lovely, quiet setting the whole family will enjoy. Access assistance is available. Picked berries are sold at Ditzler Orchard, 8902 South, 625 West, and at the field. We are the u-pick berries for Ditzler Orchard. We also offer u-pick apples at the orchard. (UPDATED: June 20, 2019)
Putnam County
Chandler's Farm- apples, strawberries, pumpkins, corn maze, pumpkin patch in the field, pumpkins brought in from the field, horse-drawn hayrides, farm animals, group tours 8250 E US Hwy 40, Fillmore, IN . Phone: (317) 539-6255. Email:chandlersfarmmarket@icloud.com. Open: Thursday and Friday from 10 am to 6 pm; Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm; closed Monday to Wednesday; The farm is open late summer until the end of December. Directions: We are located in Fillmore, Indiana, 3.5 miles west of Stilesville on US 40, halfway between Indianapolis and Terre Haute at the corner of 825 East and US 40. Payment: Cash, only. organic, free-range eggs cider cheeses, popcorn. Our family owned and operated farm has nearly 200 varieties of apples and allows you to pick your own from a wide and diverse selection. In the fall, our farm also features a pumpkin patch, horse-drawn hayrides, and bonfires! Our farm in Fillmore, Indiana has a unique or - truncated. .Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Chandler's Farm Facebook page. We are located in Fillmore, Indiana, 3.5 miles west of Stilesville on US 40, halfway between Indianapolis and Terre Haute at the corner of 825 East and US 40organic, free-range eggs cider cheeses, popcorn. Our family owned and operated farm has nearly 200 varieties of apples and allows you to pick your own from a wide and diverse selection. In the fall, our farm also features a pumpkin patch, horse-drawn hayrides, and bonfires! Our farm in Fillmore, Indiana has a unique orchard, a pleasant country store, and plenty of parking. Our orchard would be ideal for a church retreat, school field trip, or even a family outing. As we like to say, stop by and "join us for a day in the country." Facebook page. (UPDATED: September 19, 2023, JBS) A visitor writes on October 06, 2013: "Love it!"
Sweetness Farms- Uses natural growing practices, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, U-pick and already picked 6300 East U.s. 40, Fillmore, IN 46128. Phone: 317-665-0425. Open: Thursday to Saturday, from 10 am to 8 pm; Sunday from 1 pm to 7 pm, Starting in June until strawberry plants stop producing.Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic Honey, blueberries and Grapes. is a u-pick farm with over 2.5 acres of berries.and 6,000 strawberry plants. We have VERY delicious strawberries grown using organic methods and no pesticides or sprays. Come pick some FRESH strawberries on our u-pick farm
Tipton County
B & B Berries and More- No pesticides are used, strawberries, 5949 N State Road 19, Sharpsville, IN 46068. Phone: 765-963-2807. Email:bandbberries@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm; Closed Sunday; Dates general late May to middle to late June. Directions: Coming from the south go 5 miles north of Tipton, Indiana on State Road 19. Coming from the north go 2 miles south of State Road 26 on State Road 19. .Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. B & B Berries and More Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 765-860-3996 We do not use pesticides on the cropsStrawberries are the main crop with availability depending upon weather. Starting dates will vary each year. Find us on Facebook at for produce availability. We can also be found at the Tipton Farmers Market most Saturday's during the summer months. Facebook page
Wayne County
Bell's Strawberry Farm- asparagus, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries 16447 State Road 38, Hagerstown, IN 47346. Phone: 765-489-5753. Email:edbell@ruraltek.com. Open: May, June, July. Directions: It is easy to find us. We are located one mile west of Hagerstown, IN on State Road 38. Half way between Indianapolis Indiana and Dayton Ohio. From Interstate 70 take exit north to State Road 1. Follow State Road 1 north to the first flashing four way stop. Turn west \(left\) and go through Hagerstown. From the western edge of Hagerstown go exactly one mile. Watch for the strawberry signs \(in season\). Our drive way is on the south side of the State Road 38. .Click here for a map and directions. Fax: 765 489 6136 It is easy to find us. We are located one mile west of Hagerstown, IN on State Road 38. Half way between Indianapolis Indiana and Dayton Ohio. From Interstate 70 take exit north to State Road 1. Follow State Road 1 north to the first flashing four way stop. Turn west (left) and go through Hagerstown. From the western edge of Hagerstown go exactly one mile. Watch for the strawberry signs (in season). Our drive way is on the south side of the State Road 38. Click here for a map to our farm. We are open Our hours are: Monday to Saturday 8 AM to 7 PM Closed Sundays Asparagus: Starts around Tax Day or April 15 Strawberries: Memorial Day to Father's Day Raspberries and Blackberries: Start around the Fourth of July Please see our website for more information.
Strawberry
Strawberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information
In the U.S. strawberries typically peak during April in Florida and Texas,
May in the deep South, and in early June in middle sections and later June in the
far North and Canada. Keep in mind that crops are ready at various times of the
month depending on which part of the state you are located. In order to produce
good local strawberries, producers depend on ideal spring weather conditions.
Before you leave to go to the farm:
Always call before you go to the farm - strawberries are affected by weather
(both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. And when they are
in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL
first!
Leave
early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
Most growers furnish picking containers designed
for strawberries, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring
containers.
If you use your own containers, remember that heaping
strawberries more than 5 inches deep will bruise the lower berries.
Plastic
dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sidesand large pots make good
containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can
work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the
sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring
along if it has been rainy.
Tips on How to Pick Strawberries
Grasp the stem just above the berry between the
forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.
With the stem broken about one-half inch from
the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.
Repeat these operations using both hands until
each holds 3 or 4 berries.
Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into
your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
Don't overfill your containers or try to pack
the berries down.
General Picking Tips
Whether you pick strawberries from your garden or at
a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Be careful that your feet and knees do not
damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of the row.
Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part
the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.
To help the farmers, also remove from the plants
berries showing rot, sunburn, insect injury or other defects and place them
between the rows behind you. If they are left in the plants, the rot will
quickly spread to other berries.
Berries to be used immediately may be picked any
time, but if you plan to hold the fruit for a few days, try to pick in the
early morning or on cool, cloudy days. Berries picked during the heat of the
day become soft, are easily bruised and will not keep well.
Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunshine any
longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or
shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible
after picking. Strawberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three, depending upon the initial quality of the berry. After a few
days in storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor
and tends to shrivel.
For interesting and fun strawberry facts and
trivia from the California Strawberry Commission,click
here!
When you get home
DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them. Washing
makes them more prone to spoiling.
Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting
berries
Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the caps
(green tops) off the others and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make
jam right away)See this
page about how to freeze strawberries.
If you like the strawberries you picked, ask the farm what variety they
planted, and not the weather conditions the week or two before. The flavor
of a strawberry is affected by the variety, the weather and the degree of
ripeness when picked.
Picking the best strawberries:Select firm, fully red berries. Strawberries DO NOT continue ripen after
they are picked! In the photo, only the berry onthe far right is
completely ripe.
Strawberry festivals:Most areas that grow strawberries have a strawberry festival, at which you
can taste all kinds of fresh strawberry foods, pies, jams, cakes - and most
commonly, fresh strawberry shortcake. To find out where and when there
is one near you,see this
page for a list of strawberry festivals, sorted by state!
Strawberries measurements:government agriculture
websites tell us that 1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups and is about the
same as 1 liter and 1 quart of fresh strawberries weighs 1 lbs to 1.25 lbs (or
450 to 600 g).
Of course, the weight
varies on variety and weather conditions. 1 quart is normally
enough for 4
servings, although I'll admit my son can eat 1 pint by himself!
How much to pick?In general, 1 quart of fresh, whole, just-picked strawberries =
approximately 3.5 cups hulled, whole berries. In other words, removing
the caps/hulls and the occasional mushy berry means you lose 1/4 cup to 1/2 (it depends how much fruit you remove with the hull) or
about 7 to 12% of every quart you pick.
One cup of strawberries contains only about 50 calories
U-pick strawberries are much healthier than store-bought. Consumer
reports says store bought strawberries have so many pesticide and fungicide
residues on they, that they don't recommend you eat them at all!
U-pick strawberry farms typically sell berries by the
pound. 1 lbs of fresh strawberries is about 2/3 of a quart.
It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to pick a quart, if the berries
are reasonably plentiful
The strawberry plant adapts to wide variety of soil conditions, but does
not tolerate drought well, and the berries quickly rot if the weather is
rainy. For this reason, the plants are usually grown on raised beds through
plastic mulch!
Cultivation of strawberries began in Europe in the 1300's, but the berry
only became very popular in the early 1900's in California.
Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase
as strawberries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a
couple of days in the refrigerator.
You can easily freeze berries that you cannot use right away - just
wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much
air as possible. Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of
this! The berries will keep for many months frozen without air.
Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.
Strawberries were originally called strewberries because the fruit was
'strewn' amongst the leaves of the plant.
California is king of strawberry productions because: California
produces 75 percent of the nation's strawberry crops; one billion pounds
of strawberries each year. If all the strawberries produced in
California in one year were laid berry to berry, they would go around
the world 15 times. Each acre of land in California in strawberry
production produces an average of 21 tons of strawberries annually, with
a total of 23,000 acres of strawberries planted in California each year.
More conversions
1 pint (2 cups) of fresh whole strawberries
= about 8 oz (1/2 lb) of strawberries
= 2.25 cups of sliced strawberries
= 1cup pureed strawberries
= 12-14 large strawberries
2 quarts of fresh strawberries are needed for a 9" pie
A 10 oz package of frozen berries is about the same as 1 cup of sliced
fresh strawberries