Well, not so much in Hillsborough County anymore! U-Pick Strawberry fields are becoming a dying tradition in the area. Due to the lawsuits and dwindling profits, many of the U-Pick Strawberry fields have stopped offering the U-Pick option.
Back in the 1970's and 1980's U-Pick farming used to be great family fun, a place to spend to morning picking the delicious fruits to take home and make into jam. April is the time that the few strawberry u-pick farms that are left, open up their fields to the u-pickers! Berry Bay Farms in Wimauma, Favorite Farms and Shady Acres, both in Dover, are currently open and remain open for the entire season, December through April! Check the Florida Strawberry Growers Association for times and addresses of the u-pick strawberry farms in your area.
If you choose to take advantage of this rapidly dying tradition, be sure to dress comfortably and wear a hat, bring your own containers to bring your strawberries home in and as always in Florida, don't forget the sunscreen and don't forget to have fun!
