Our 2019 Season is OVER
The 2019 Berry season is now OVER. Thank-you all for being such wonderful customers! Hope to see you next year!
Our farm gate store is now open daily 7am-9pm for any local goodies that are in season.
2019 Prices
U-Pick: $10/4L Basket Pre-Picked: $17/4L Basket
Volume Discount (Buy 10 Baskets & get the 11th one for free) There is no charge for the baskets. Cash or cheque accepted. Thank-you.
U-Pick Strawberries
When coming to pick, be sure to dress accordingly for the weather. We continue to pick in the rain if there isn’t any lightning. It doesn’t hurt to bring sunscreen, a hat, bug spray and rubber boots (if wet). Also, if you have small children, don’t forget your camera!!
We will provide you with baskets for picking, free of charge. However, if you prefer to bring your own, we ask that they are 4L ice-cream pails.
We would like to remind you that for health reasons it is a good idea to wash your hands before picking. Also, there is no smoking or pets allowed in the patch.
Picking Tips
- Grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.
- With the stem broken about one half-inch from the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.
- Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries.
- Carefully place- don’t throw- the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands until your container is full.
Whether you pick the strawberries from your garden or here at our farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Be careful that your feet and knees do not damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of the rows. Here at Mayfair Farm, it is important that you pick only on the row assigned to you & please move your marker to where you finish up.
- We furnish berry baskets designed so that the strawberries do not easily get squished.
- Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.
- Pick the row clean. Remove from the plants berries showing rot, sunburn, insect injury or other defects and place them between the rows behind you. Berries to be used immediately may be picked any time, but if you plan to hold the fruit for a few days, try to pick in the early morning or on cool, cloudy days. Berries picked during the heat of the day become soft, and are easily bruised and will not keep well.
- Avoid placing the picked berries in the sun any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat.
- Cool them as soon as possible after picking. Strawberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for three or more days, depending upon the initial quality of the berry. After a few days in storage, however, the fruit looses its bright color and fresh flavor and tend to shrivel.
How to Freeze Strawberries
Always rinse with hulls on, so berries don’t get water logged or lose any vitamin content.
There are two ways to freeze strawberries whole:
- Pack into plastic containers or into plastic bags. They may, however, become stuck together.
- Freeze whole on flat trays. This will prevent them from sticking together.
- Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper or paper towels. Stand the strawberries on their bases on the cookie tray, making sure that they don’t touch.
- Put the strawberries in the freezer.
- Wait until they are frozen, then remove from the cookie tray and place in strong seal-able plastic food bags to store.