Thanks to the recent stretch of warm weather, strawberry season is in full swing and marks the start of a fruit-filled summer.
Strawberries are at their peak now, but the extremely dry weather means they might not last long. The sweet, sun-kissed berries need nothing but a gentle washing, but you'll thank yourself for buying extra to turn into sauces, pies, jams and cocktails. Soon you'll be able to do the same with raspberries and blueberries — some farms are predicting that yields could be ready by July 1.
But whatever the season, these Minnesota and western Wisconsin U-pick farms offer an ideal excuse to plan an adventure, soak up some sunshine and relax while picking — and eating berries. All are within (roughly) a 90-minute drive of downtown Minneapolis. Be sure to do your research before visiting to confirm hours, availability and payment options. The farms' social media pages offer the most up-to-date information; conditions and availability changes by the day, with many being picked out for the day by mid-morning.
Strawberries
MINNESOTA
Anoka: Berry Hill Farm, 6510 185th Av. NW., 763-753-5891, berryhillfarm.com. Miles from downtown Minneapolis (MFDM): 32.
Cambridge: Windmill Acres, 34365 NE. Hupp St., 763-238-7855, facebook.com/cambridgeMNwindmillacres/. Pre-picked or by appointment only MFDM: 48.
Dodge Center: Miracle Strawberry Farm, 60687 205th Av., 1-507-884-7246, miraclestrawberryfarm.com. MFDM: 75.
Faribault: Straight River Farm, 3733 E. 220th St., 1-507-334-2226, straightriverfarm.com. MFDM: 55.
Foley: Svihel Vegetable Farm, 12004 Duelm Road NE., 320-968-7238, svihelvegetablefarm.com. MFDM: 60.
