Strawberries begin fruiting any time from the early summer time throughout to the start of autumn. These candy pink fruits are a favorite for many individuals and whereas you should purchase them in abundance within the supermarkets, there’s something really particular about going on the market and selecting your individual tasty strawberries.
Plus, each time I’ve been strawberry selecting, I’ve observed that there are some actual monsters on the market, the scale of which you’d be exhausting pushed to seek out in your native Sainsburys.
Not solely do you get a significantly better crop when you will get out within the subject and PYO strawberries however it’s a stunning exercise to do as a household. Some a lot wanted outside time will get the children away from digital gadgets and most locations have a restaurant or bar the place you’ll be able to calm down within the solar after gathering your yield.
However for those who’ve been questioning is there any strawberry selecting close to me then we’ve bought excellent news. There are literally thousands of choose your individual strawberry farms dotted across the UK and a few are actually great.
On this information, we’ll run by way of a few of the best strawberry selecting close to me in addition to providing you with some helpful tips about the best way to profit from your go to.
Prime 10 Strawberry Choosing Areas In The UK
There are such a lot of PYO strawberry farms across the UK that it might be unimaginable to go to each single one with out dedicating your complete summer time to strawberry selecting alone. Regardless of the place you might be within the UK, you’ll discover strawberry selecting inside a number of miles so that you received’t must journey far.
Whereas we couldn’t presumably record each single location within the nation, we have now put collectively this record of our high ten strawberry selecting spots for scrumptious, recent fruit.
1 Hillfield Nursery – Norfolk
https://www.hillfieldnursery.co.uk/apple-juicing-service
Hillfield is a household run nursery that’s set in 30 acres of beautiful countryside. A go to right here is nicely price it since there’s a lot to see and do together with that each one vital strawberry selecting.
Take a mooch across the farm store that sells a variety of home made merchandise in addition to the nursery with a tremendous collection of crops.
If you wish to combine your strawberries with different fruits then why not attempt the apple urgent service? Hillfield is house to greater than 250 apple varieties and affords some scrumptious recent juices to whet your whistle while you’re finished selecting strawberries.
2 Chilton Manor Farm – Kent
http://www.chiltonmanorfarm.co.uk/whats-available.asp
Situated in Sittingbourne, Chilton Manor Farm is a superb place to take the children to take pleasure in a spot of strawberry selecting in addition to participating in a number of different actions.
Right here, you’ll discover a quaint little farm store with plenty of scrumptious native produce and handmade items. The PYO subject is open daily other than Mondays and even when the strawberries exit of season, the farm places on loads of different issues similar to pumpkin selecting at Halloween!
3 Sandhill Strawberry Farm – Merseyside
https://www.sandhillstrawberryfarm.co.uk/
The tune Strawberry Fields Eternally hailed from this a part of the nation so it might be felony to not embrace a Merseyside PYO farm.
Sandhill farm is a conventional working farm set in rural environment that provides PYO fruit all yr spherical with a concentrate on strawberries in the summertime.
There’s the prospect to take a seat on the tractor and at sure occasions of the yr, the farm store will probably be full of particular treats like pumpkins and Christmas bushes!
4 Grove Farm – Bedfordshire
Grove Farm opens its door for keen strawberry followers from June every year. Right here, you’ll discover a variety of vegatables and fruits relying on the season and so they’re a few of the highest quality within the nation!
What we actually love about Grove Farm, nonetheless, is that they’re making an actual try to stay sustainable by way of packing. You’ll find out extra particulars about this on their web site.
5 Bearstone Fruit Farm – Staffordshire
https://www.fb.com/Bearstonefruitfarm
Situated in Market Drayton, a quaint little city in rural Staffordshire, Bearstone Fruit Farm really is a hidden gem.
In addition to strawberries, you’ll have the chance to choose scrumptious blackberries and redcurrants. If you’re finished, there are refreshments together with chilly drinks and engaging home made desserts.
6 Sharnfold Farm – Sussex
https://www.sharnfoldfarm.co.uk/
Down in Eastbourne, you’ll discover the beautiful little Sharnfold Farm which makes for the right household time out. Throughout strawberry season, you’ll have the prospect to get out into the fields and PYO however there’s a lot extra occurring right here all year long.
There are particular occasions at Halloween and Christmas however irrespective of while you go to, you’ll have the ability to work together with animals like sheep and fuzzy alpacas. There’s a farm store and cafe, trails to stroll, a play space and even fishing.
If you wish to embrace strawberry selecting as a part of a wider time out then Sharnfold Farm has bought you coated.
7 Copas Farms – Buckinghamshire
Unfold throughout two areas, the Copas farms provide the prospect to choose your individual strawberries in addition to rhubarb and asparagus selecting. What a solution to replenish your pantry!
The farm additionally has a farm store the place you will get your fingers on native produce and there’s a maize maze to maintain you and the children entertained after you’ve completed harvesting.
8 Scalby Grange – Yorkshire
https://www.facebook.com/Scalbygrange/
Scalby Grange is situated in East Driving, Yorkshire and is a small household run enterprise that opens from June for hungry strawberry pickers.
However then enjoyable doesn’t finish when summer time is over because the farm takes on a spooky new persona and pumpkin season arrives. Head over at Halloween to PYO pumpkin, for those who dare!
9 Forde Abbey – Somerset
https://www.fordeabbey.co.uk/farm-estate/embed/#?secret=sfvGKpNEwj
Forde Abbey and Gardens is a shocking property set in rural Somerset that has a few of the finest strawberry selecting within the space. The produce right here is high quality and excellent for making jams and desserts or for having fun with by itself.
However when summer time involves an finish, there may be nonetheless a lot extra occurring right here. There’s a goat farm, lovely gardens to discover, a shocking home that’s house to the Mortlake Tapestries and you may even maintain occasions like weddings right here.
That is one other sensible location if you wish to embrace strawberry selecting as a part of a much bigger time out with the children.
10 Scaddows Farm – Derbyshire
https://scaddowsfarm.co.uk/pyo
Having catered to PYO lovers for the final 30 years, Scaddows Farm is likely one of the finest locations to choose strawberries within the East Midlands. Situated simply exterior of a quaint little village known as Ticknall, the farm and farm store produces some glorious high quality fruits.
It’s free to get in and there are a complete host of different fruits on provide similar to gooseberries, raspberries, blackcurrants and far more. There’s additionally a winery for the grown ups!
Why Decide Your Personal Strawberries?
Choosing your individual strawberries is usually somewhat costlier than simply going to the grocery store and selecting up a punnet. However the place’s the enjoyable in that? I’d a lot somewhat pay somewhat further and have some enjoyable than have to face in an extended line in Asda for some lacklustre fruits.
Needless to say you’ll have to pay to get into some choose your individual strawberry farms. Nonetheless, for probably the most half, they’ll take this payment off no matter you purchase so it’s not the tip of the world.
Apart from the value, there are a great deal of the explanation why selecting your individual strawberries is a superb household exercise.
For starters, when you have youngsters, it is a sensible method of introducing them to how meals grows and the place their meals comes from. What’s extra, it’s a wonderful alternative to get everybody outside and having fun with some recent air. Plus, you’ll do an honest quantity of strolling and getting train is rarely a nasty factor.
On high of that, you’re spending time as a household and making reminiscences. Choosing strawberries is likely to be the only of actions however to your youngsters, it’ll be a reminiscence they cherish. And anyway, with so many of those PYO farms providing different actions, you’ll be able to usually make a day of it.
If you PYO strawberries, and different fruits, the style is often lots higher than what you’d get out of your native store because the fruits are picked in season.
Have you ever ever considered how the easy act of shopping for strawberries from the grocery store can affect the setting? If you buy strawberries from retailers, the meals may have been transported for miles and miles. This has a direct affect on the setting so selecting your individual is far more eco pleasant because the meals miles are decreased. On high of this, you’re additionally supporting native companies and with the present monetary local weather, that’s actually vital in serving to native economies thrive.
Making The Most Out Of Visiting A PYO Strawberry Farm
I’ve heard lots of people inform me that they’ve been dissatisfied when going to a PYO farm. However this is actually because they haven’t taken the proper method or angle to the exercise. You may get a very good yield at these farms however there’s a number of issues to bear in mind earlier than you get began and the following tips will allow you to profit from your go to.
Don’t Begin At The Entrance
If you get to the strawberry farm, you’ll discover that most individuals head for the primary few rows of crops as these are simpler to entry and save strolling. Nonetheless, for those who head to the farthest a part of the sector, there will probably be fewer individuals and that is the place you’ll discover an abundance of untouched fruits.
Verify How Ripe The Fruits Are
It may be tempting to simply bounce in and seize any strawberry you see however do not forget that you’ll must pay for no matter you’re taking house so all the time attempt to get the very best quality fruits. In search of these which are absolutely ripe is the best way to go however you’ll want to examine the fruit first as some can look ripe however are solely midway there. The entire strawberry ought to be pink and this tells you it’s able to be picked.
More often than not, it’s OK to attempt a strawberry to see what the standard is like earlier than you decide to selecting. Farms don’t are inclined to have an issue with this. However they may have an issue for those who and your children go across the subject serving to your self to mouthfuls of fruit your complete time. Be respectful that that is somebody’s residing and solely attempt one fruit to check it.
Decide Your Strawberries Accurately
Lots of people simply seize the strawberry and pull it off the plant. However while you do that, you pull out the plug and it will harm the fruit inflicting it to turn out to be bruised. Because of this, the fruit received’t final lengthy. It’s higher to grasp the stem and break this off the plant.
Retailer Your Strawberries Accurately
I’ve seen lots of people placing strawberries within the fridge and I can see why they may do that. We’re conditioned to imagine that meals retains for longer in cool temperatures and whereas that is the case with some issues, different meals, like strawberries are higher after they’re at room temperature.
It’s because they may rapidly lose their candy flavour while you hold them within the fridge. No, they received’t hold as lengthy out of the fridge however if you need the perfect style and high quality, that is the best way to go. Simply eat them as quickly as potential after selecting.
Verify Occasions And Dates Earlier than You Go
The opening occasions and dates of PYO strawberry farms will differ every year based on the climate and the way nicely the fruits have grown. Earlier than you head off, it’s price having a look on the web site of your chosen farm to be sure to received’t be dissatisfied while you get there.
Conclusion
There’s something tremendous satisfying about selecting your individual strawberries and it’s an excellent solution to get the household out of the home and having fun with making reminiscences collectively. The fruit you’ll get from these PYO farms is second to none and there’s usually lots of different issues occurring so you can also make a full day of it.
With PYO strawberry farms situated throughout the UK, you’re by no means too distant to get in on the motion. We’ve listed a few of the finest strawberry selecting however there are tons extra to be found.
