Berry picking is a fun family activity
Q. Is there a list of farms where you can pick your own strawberries locally?
A. Strawberry pie, strawberry ice cream, strawberry jam, strawberries and rhubarb, strawberries just in a bowl, and best of all, strawberry margaritas. Yes, strawberries are universally loved and appreciated, by adults, by children, and especially by the squirrels, chipmunks and birds who want to dine on the ones you've planted in your garden.
Or perhaps you don't have the space for a berry patch in your garden. Strawberry gardening is a bit of an art. It takes patience, sun and the ability to keep the strawberry vampires mentioned above off your crop. What to do?
Fortunately, there are a number of farms within a short drive from the Chicago suburbs that allow you to pick your own strawberries. A modest list is at the end of this article - keep this list for next year since strawberry season ended several weeks ago. A more extensive list can be obtained by searching for "U-Pick," or "Pick Your Own" strawberries on the internet, or by reviewing the "Things to do" section of the Daily Herald in the Friday and weekend Events sections.
Picking your own strawberries is a fun, entertaining, and educational way to involve your children in the farm-to-table cycle. Kids enjoy finding their own perfect berries and as we gardeners know, anything that one has a hand in growing or harvesting always tastes better.
Farm strawberries have the added appeal of being varieties that are not usually grown on farms that must ship strawberries any distance. Older varieties of strawberries generally have much more flavor, scent and a softer texture than those varieties that have had those properties bred out in favor of holding up to the rigors of shipping.
A few things to keep in mind when venturing out to pick your own strawberries. Weather is a consideration. Although most strawberry fields will have straw mulch between the rows of plants, the heavy rains we've had may limit the access to some fields. It is also wise to call ahead and ensure availability.
U-Pick farms are still commercial farms. Their produce is their livelihood and plants should be treated with kindness and respect.
Strawberries are easy to pick, fun to eat, but the shelf life of these varieties will be less than the berries found in your supermarket. Don't overharvest, or you may have to compost your hard work. Still, the positives greatly outweigh the negatives and if the weather cooperates, the self-picking season is now through August. For those wanting the excellent taste, but unable to pick their own, the Farmers Markets throughout the suburbs and even downtown Chicago have strawberries picked and available.
Here are some of the area's more popular berry, not just strawberry, picking destinations. Prices, availability, and conditions will vary. Call ahead to verify what's available before driving to the farms. Wear clothes and shoes that may get dirty.
• Tom's Farm Market (Our kids always loved this farm), 10214 Algonquin Road, Huntley. (847) 669-3421. Open Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (U-Pick is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. daily) tomsfarmmarket.com
• Stade's Farm Market, 3709 W. Miller Road, McHenry. (815) 675-6396. Open 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily. stadesfarmandmarket.com.
• Heider's Berry Farm, 1106 N. Queen Anne Road, Woodstock. (815) 338-0301. Open daily, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Cash and check only. heidersberryfarm.com
• Susie's Garden Patch, 10258 Route 20, Garden Prairie. (815) 597-3011. Open Tues.-Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. susiesgardenpatch.com
• Cody's Farm, 19502 River Road, Marengo. (815) 568-7976. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. codysfarm.com.
- Matt Steichmann
• Provided by Master Gardeners through the Master Gardener Answer Desk, Friendship Park Conservatory, Des Plaines, and University of Illinois Extension, North Cook Branch Office, Arlington Heights. Call (847) 298-3502 on Wednesdays or email northcookmg@gmail.com. Visit web.extension.illinois.edu/mg.