Freshly picked strawberries. Pick ’em while you can. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Don’t dally. Right now is the time visit a local farm for pick-your-own strawberries. A heat wave is coming, meaning it won’t be comfortable, or safe, to be out in unshaded farm fields. Also, the excessive heat could spoil some of the ripening strawberry crop, according to Caitlin Jordan Harriman of Alewives Brook Farm in Cape Elizabeth. But if you can’t pick before the heat arrives, that’s okay; strawberry season is expected to last until mid-July. Here are a few nearby farms that offer U-pick berries.
ALEWIVES BROOK FARM
83 Old Ocean House Road, Cape Elizabeth. alewivesbrookfarm.com
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day
How much: $4.99 per pound
BRADBURY MOUNTAIN BERRY FARM
429 Elmwood Road, Pownal. Facebook
When: The schedule is inconsistent, but you can find reliable updates on the farm’s Facebook page.
How much: $3.90 per pound
FAIRWINDS FARM
555 Brown’s Point Road, Bowdoinham. fairwindsfarmmaine.com
When: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week
How much: $3.50 per pound, but pick 10 pounds or more for $3.25 per pound
FULL FORK FARM
154 Dutton Road, China. fullforkfarm.com
When: Their season this year is a little touch and go, Full Fork farmers say, but they regularly update the hours and days on their website.
How much: $4 per pound
MAXWELL’S FARM
Two locations: Two Lights Road and Bowery Beach Road, Cape Elizabeth. Facebook
When: The usual U-pick schedule is from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and Saturday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. But these hours are subject to change based on weather and the availability of berries, so be sure to check the farm’s Facebook page before you head over to pick.
How much: $4.55 per pound.
PINELAND FARMS
752 Mayall Road, New Gloucester. pinelandfarms.org
When: U-pick operations are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-Wednesday
How much: $3.95 per pound
POPP FARM
103 Glasheen Road, Dresden
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day
How much: $3 per pound
SPILLER FARM
85 Spiller Farm Lane, Wells. Look for the yellow “U PICK” sign beside Route 9A. spillerfarm.com
When: Spiller Farm plans only one day ahead for U-pick, so check the website, which is updated regularly. To be sure you are able to go home with berries, the owners suggest coming early in the morning before the supply runs out.
How much: $3.99 per pound
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