(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Strawberry U-pick farms
The unseasonably cool and wet weather might suggest otherwise, but strawberry season will soon arrive in U-pick farms surrounding the Twin Cities.
By sanguinic
May 26, 2011 at 4:44PM
The best strawberries come from U-pick farms. At least they taste that way, a literal example of the whole fruits-of-your-labor thing. This spring's unseasonably cool and wet weather might suggest otherwise, but strawberry season will soon be upon us, and June is best celebrated at the U-pick farms surrounding the Twin Cities.
As promised in the 2011 Taste 50, here's a list of pick-your-own farms located within a short drive -- or, in some cases, a daytrip -- from the metro area.
One important tip: Be sure to call ahead for hours, directions, payment details and strawberry availability.
Minnesota:
Anoka: Berry Hill Farm, 6510 185th Av. N.W., 763-753-5891
Champlin: Bauer Berry Farm, 10830 French Lake Rd., 763-421-4384
Clear Lake: Grayson's Berryland, 6705 Country Rd. 8 SE., 320-743-3384
Delano: Apple Jack Orchards, 4875 37th St. SE., 763-972-6673
Elk River: Becks Elk River Greenhouse & Vegetable Farm, 15362 190th Av., 763-263-2631
Faribault: Straight River Farm, 3733 220th St. E., 507-334-2226
Forest Lake: The Berry Patch, 19221 Keystone Av. N., 651-433-3448
Hastings: Afton Apple Orchard, 14421 S. 90th St., 651-436-8385
Hastings: Sam Kedem Nursery Garden, 12414 191st St. E., 651-437-7516
Hastings: Wyatt's Strawberries, 10370 180 St. E., 651- 437-8479
Hinckley: Ben's Berry Farm, 34921 Two Rivers Rd., 320-384-7232
Lakeville: Applewood Orchard, 22702 Hamburg Av., 952-985-5425
Marine on St. Croix: Natura Farms, 19060 Manning Trail N., 651-433-5850
Monticello: The Strawberry Basket, 12591 Aetna Ave NE., 763-878-2875
Northfield: Lorence's Berry Farm, 28625 Foliage Av., 507-645-9749
Northfield: Silkey Gardens, E. 115th St., 507-645-4158
Rochester: Firefly Berries, 5542 23rd St. NE., 507-252-1309
St. Joseph: A&G Produce, 10448 345 St., 320-290-0907
Shafer: Pleasant Valley Orchard, 17325 Pleasant Valley Rd., 651-257-9159
South Haven: Fairhaven Farm, 13835 51st Av., 320-236-7685
Waconia: Klingelhutz Farm, 7940 Airport Rd., 952-442-2515
White Bear Lake: Pine Tree Apple Orchard, 450 Apple Orchard Rd., 651-429-7202
Western Wisconsin:
Eau Claire: Appledore Woods, W3865 Cty. Rd. HH, 715-834-5697
Glenwood City: Green Hill Farm, 3234 140th Av., 715-265-4004
Osceola: Demulling Farms, 466 240th St., 715-294-3742
Do you have a favorite strawberry U-pick farm that's not listed here? Add it in the comments section.
about the writer
sanguinic
The 23rd installment of the beer fest will take place Oct. 12 at Boom Island Park in Minneapolis.
