It’s the sweetest season of the year. Strawberry production peaks on Georgia farms this month, and there are plenty of farm-fresh berries to be had.

According to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, 130 farms account for the 143 acres of strawberries grown in the state. Of those, more than 40 are registered as official Georgia Grown pick-your-own locations. Some also offer curbside pickup or pre-picked strawberries straight from the vine.

Sweet spots

Picking opportunities are available at small, family-owned farms that dot the state map from its northern reaches all the way to the Florida line. They include places like Pharr Farms in Winder. The fourth-generation, family-owned farm opens in the spring and summer for you-pick strawberries, blueberries and blackberries.

See the official Georgia Grown website for a map and information detailing locations where you can get fresh berries.

Potential pickers should always check with individual farms before you go. Opening times at all you-pick farms are always subject to change due to weather or strawberry availability. Call, check social media or the farm’s website for daily updates.

To enjoy your picking experience, remember to arrive well-prepared. Wear comfortable shoes, clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and a hat. Protect yourself with sunscreen and insect repellent. Bring along a non-glass container of water for hydration.

A fun and fruitful day

Merk Farms in the Dry Pond community near Commerce is among those offering more than fresh berries to enjoy. The Merks — Phillip, his wife Ali and their children Gabe and Vivi — encourage visitors to come and stay a while at the farm that has been in their family for over 120 years.

“We look forward to having everyone out to pick berries, visit with our furry farm friends, enjoy a special tasty treat in the concession stand and take a relaxing hay ride,” Merk said.

Washington Farms, located just outside Athens in Bogart, offers a full slate of kid-friendly activities in addition to berry picking. An admission ticket is required for the activities (no admission for berry picking only) that include a petting zoo, zip lines, inflatables, low ropes course and other outdoor fun. C. B. Farms in Buford also combines you-pick strawberries with farm fun for the family (ticket purchase required).

If you can’t wait to get home to savor the sweetness, several farms also sell ice cream and other foods made with their berries. Among them is Southern Belle Farm, a family-owned 330-acre farm south of Atlanta in McDonough.

Picking tips

To pick the best berries, remember:

  • Come early. The best berries are often picked in the morning when it’s cooler.
  • Strawberries don’t ripen once they’re picked, so look for ones that are fully red. Avoid berries with white or green tips.
  • Gently grasp the stem about half an inch above the berry and pull with a slight twist. This helps prevent damage to the fruit.
  • Avoid overfilling containers. This can crush the berries at the bottom.

Caring for fresh strawberries

Washington Farms offers these tips for transporting and storing fresh strawberries:

  • Bring a cooler with ice packs to keep berries fresh on the ride home. Protect them from heat and direct sunlight. Don’t leave them in the car!
  • Refrigerate berries, unwashed, until you are ready to eat them. Store them 1 or 2 deep in a shallow, covered container.
  • Handle berries gently to avoid bruising.
  • Don’t rinse berries until you are ready to eat them. Rinse in cold water, and do not soak them.
  • Leave caps on berries until after rinsing. Strawberries stored with the green caps on stay firm longer.
  • For best flavor after refrigerating, allow strawberries to reach room temperature before serving.

Yum!

Use your farm-fresh produce to make Strawberry Milk Pie or Rustic Strawberry and Blueberry Pizza, recipes from Georgia Grown. Make your own Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream with a recipe shared by Washington Farms. Or preserve your berries for enjoying later with this recipe for Easy Strawberry Jam.

May is National Strawberry Month, so it’s the perfect time to get picking. Don’t wait too long, though. Berry season is short, and most you-pick places will close for the season before the month ends.