Strawberry Picking Season by State: Ripeness & Field Guide
Find out when pick-your-own strawberry season begins in your state. Complete harvest chart from February in Florida to July in the northern states.
Quick Answer & Key Takeaway
Strawberry picking is the first major u-pick harvest of the year. Season begins in February and March in Florida and Southern California, sweeps through the Mid-South in April and May, peaks across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Pacific Northwest in June, and wraps up in northern New England in early July.
Strawberries mark the official start of spring and summer farm visits. Nothing compares to the fragrant sweetness of a warm, vine-ripened strawberry that was picked minutes ago.
Because strawberry season is notoriously short — often lasting only 3 to 4 weeks at any single farm — knowing when your local fields open is the difference between an overflowing flat and an empty patch.
State-by-State Strawberry Picking Calendar
Deep South (FL, Southern CA, TX): February through April.
Southeast (NC, SC, GA, AL, TN): Mid-April through late May.
Mid-Atlantic & Midwest (VA, MD, PA, NJ, OH, IN, IL, MI): Late May through late June.
Pacific Northwest (OR, WA): June through early July.
Northern Tier & New England (ME, NH, VT, MN, WI): Mid-June through mid-July.
How to Pick Strawberries Without Damaging the Vine
Look underneath the leaves: the largest, ripest strawberries often hide beneath the green foliage close to the plastic or straw bedding.
Pick only full-red berries: strawberries do not ripen or develop flavor after being picked. If the tip is white or greenish, leave it on the plant.
Leave the green cap (calyx) attached: picking with the green stem attached seals the berry and prevents juice leakage and rapid spoilage.
State-by-State Harvest Schedule & Farm Listings
Typical season dates vary by local microclimate. Click your state below to view verified pick-your-own farm listings and regional crop guides.
| State | Typical Season Window | Notes & Ripening Details | Farms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | March–May | Peak often April; south AL earlier | Find farms |
| Alaska | June–August | Short season; south-central | Find farms |
| Arizona | January–April | Low desert winter crop | Find farms |
| Arkansas | April–May | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| California | Nearly year-round (peak spring) | Coastal; Watsonville/Oxnard hubs | Find farms |
| Colorado | June–July | Front Range short season | Find farms |
| Connecticut | May–June | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Delaware | April–June | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Florida | December–March | Plant City winter peak | Find farms |
| Georgia | March–May | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Hawaii | Year-round (varies) | Elevation-dependent | Find farms |
| Idaho | June–July | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Illinois | May–June | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Indiana | May–June | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Iowa | May–June | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Kansas | May–June | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Kentucky | April–June | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Louisiana | February–April | Ponchatoula area famous | Find farms |
| Maine | June–July | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Maryland | April–June | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Massachusetts | May–June | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Michigan | May–July | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Minnesota | June–July | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Mississippi | March–May | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Missouri | April–June | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Nebraska | May–June | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| New Hampshire | June–July | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| New Jersey | May–June | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| New York | May–July | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| North Carolina | March–May | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| North Dakota | June–July | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Ohio | May–June | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Oklahoma | April–May | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Oregon | May–July | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Pennsylvania | May–June | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Rhode Island | May–June | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| South Carolina | March–May | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| South Dakota | June–July | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Tennessee | April–May | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Texas | February–May | Varies north vs south | Find farms |
| Utah | May–July | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Vermont | June–July | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Virginia | April–June | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Washington | May–July | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| West Virginia | May–June | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Wisconsin | June–July | Season depends on weather | Find farms |
| Wyoming | June–July | Short season | Find farms |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions & Tips
Helpful answers to common questions about picking, storage, pricing, and visiting.
How long does a strawberry season last at one farm?
A single farm's June-bearing strawberry crop usually produces for roughly 3 to 4 weeks, with the absolute peak harvest occurring during the middle 10 to 14 days.
How do you keep fresh-picked strawberries from going moldy?
Do not wash them until right before eating. Give them a quick vinegar bath (1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water) for 1 minute, rinse with cool water, dry completely on a towel, and store in a container lined with paper towels in the fridge. They can last up to 7–10 days.
What should you wear to a strawberry patch?
Wear closed-toe shoes or rain boots (strawberry rows can be dusty or muddy) and clothes you don't mind getting stained red. Knee pads or an old towel to kneel on make picking ground-level berries much more comfortable.
Find Strawberry Picking Season by State Farms Near You
Browse verified u-pick orchards and berry patches sorted by distance, with reviews, opening hours, and real-time weather.
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