Go Strawberry Picking!

One of our family traditions is strawberry picking - we go every year, usually in May. Strawberry season can stretch from late April to July 4 in Georgia, with the best picking from May to mid June. Here's the best website for finding pick-your-own farms: it lists all kinds of produce, not just strawberries. Be sure to search both the Atlanta area and North Georgia.

Why pick strawberries? Lots of reasons! They are cheaper than store-bought (even frozen), though not amazingly so. They taste better than purchased ones. Unlike many berries, strawberries are easy to pick: they are big and have no thorns. They are especially easy for kids to pick, since they are low to the ground. Picking strawberries makes memories your children will always treasure. Finally, what tastes better than a just-picked strawberry, warmed by the sun?
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Though there are many strawberry patches in Georgia, we go to two favorites. Washington Farms has locations in Loganville and Watkinsville (Loganville is the main one). They have lovely fields with lots of berries to pick. They are open 8:00-8:00 and closed on Sundays.

Dahlonega Vegetable Farm has an even more idyllic mountain-ringed setting. They don't have a website, but you can Mapquest the directions: 2650 Highway 19 N, Dahlonega, GA, 30533. Their phone number is (706) 867-9794.

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Part of our strawberry picking tradition is strawberry shortcake for dinner (yes, dinner!) on the day we pick strawberries. We did this when I was growing up, and I still remember how shocking and fun it was!

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You can also make the best jam in the world with your berries! Here's the recipe. Don't forget to freeze some: wash, pat dry, hull, and freeze in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Transfer to freezer bags.

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Good to know: I have some very important caveats about strawberry picking. 1. Always call first to be sure they have abundant berries. 2. Drought years produce better berries than rainy years. 3. Most farms only take checks or cash. 4. If you don't want to pay $1 for buckets, bring your own or at least bring tupperware to transfer your berries into for the ride home.