Okay - super cheese title - I'll admit. I have been swept into a strawberry induced high. Our trip to the strawberry patch was a resounding success. As we skipped our way back to the car my daughter said "Thank you for taking us here Mommy." What more could I ask for?
We ventured out after locating the closest organic farm on the amazing Pick Your Own site. You have to take a look at this site. It is an amazing resource for pick your own farms around the world. Seriously, it is an incredible resource no matter where you live. Please, take a look.
We decided to head to a small farm located in Markham called Organics Farm. This is a family farm where you can pick strawberries, raspberries, apples, etc. I must say it was picture perfect. Right down to the rooster "cock-a-doodle-dooing" as we walked past. Hot tip: head out strawberry picking early in the day. The sun gets hot and there is no shelter. Wear your hat and sunscreen. The morning we went was slightly overcast, but by the time we left the sun was out in full force.
We opted to fill the large basket (7 litres), as we were planning on making jam and having some left over to snack on. Hot tip: bring your own basket or purchase the basket, we'll be keeping our basket to bring on our next picking adventure.
The field was full of strawberries. There was the odd thistle weed as well, the kids weren't keen on those. But, they loved the grasshoppers!
All in all the experience was amazing. Hot tip: Strawberry season doesn't last very long. It usually runs from mid-June until mid-July. Get out while the getting is good.
My husband questioned, jokingly, the eco-friendliness of us driving all the way out there to pick one basket of strawberries. We decided that the experience of teaching our children where and how strawberries grow is incredibly valuable. We have now been apple, pear, pumpkin and strawberry picking. The next crop to be picked will be raspberries...equally delicious and fun to pick. Hot tip: Look before you sit...you might end up with an extra strawberry!
We spent this afternoon making strawberry jam, to be continued...
*most images taken by M.Farr
Mama Pea Pod says
This is on our summer bucket list! In fact, I just got online this morning to look up places with U-picks, (and of course got distracted by my dashboard!) and found this post instead! Now you've reminded me why I'm on here in the first place! haha thanks!