Visit a nearby you-pick
strawberry patch

What’s better than eating delicious, ripe strawberries? Picking them! And it’s a perfect warm-weather family activity. May and June are prime strawberry-picking months in this region. It’s always wise to call berry farms ahead of time to be sure there will be plenty of berries ready for you to pick. Be sure to grab sunscreen and floppy hats. We’ve rounded up some “berry” great strawberry patches that are just a short drive from the metro area.

Adams Farm

Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
1486 Hwy. 54 West, Fayetteville. 770-461-9395 adamsfarmfayettevillega.com
You pick: $2.15/lb.; pre-picked: $2.65/lb.

Cottle Strawberry Farms

Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Sun., noon-5:30 p.m.
Two locations:
290 Banks Rd., Fayetteville. 770-719-2600
4830 E. Fairview Rd., Stockbridge. 770-761-7822 cottlefarms.com/strawberries
You pick: $11/gal.; pre-picked: $13/gal., $4/qt. Field trips offered.

Harry Stacy Farms

Open daily by appointment.
623 Poplar Rd., Dallas. 770-443-0292
harrystacyfarms.com
You pick: $12/gal.; $8/ half-gal.

Southern Belle Farm

Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 1-6 p.m.
1658 Turner Church Rd., McDonough. 770-288-2582 southernbellefarm.com
You pick: $10/gal.; pre-picked: $12/gal.

The Rock Ranch

Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5p.m.
5020 Barnesville Hwy., The Rock. 706-647-6374
therockranch.com
You pick: $2/lb.; pre-picked: $3/lb.

Washington Farms

Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Two locations:
5671 Hog Mtn. Rd. (Hwy 53), Watkinsville. 706-769-0627
270 Willowwind, Loganville. 770-554-8119
washingtonfarms.net
You pick: $10/gal.; pre-picked: $12/gal.; containers: $1.

Berry-Picking Tips:

• Be careful that your feet and knees do not damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of a crop row.
• Pick only berries that are fully red; those are the ripe ones.
• Don’t throw berries into the container; they can get bruised.
• Berries to be used immediately may be picked any time, but if you plan to hold the fruit for a few days before using, try to pick in the early morning or on cool, cloudy days. Berries picked during the heat of the day become soft, bruise easily, and don’t keep well. 
• Avoid placing picked berries in direct sunlight any longer than necessary.
• Leave the caps on berries until ready to eat – this keeps them juicy.
• Never wash berries until you are ready to use them. Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.

— Jaclyn Turner