Victoria E. FreileRochester Democrat and Chronicle
Locally grown strawberries are out in full force this month as the fresh fruit is starting to pop up at local farm markets and some area orchards have already opened up the fields as summer fruit season kicks off in the Rochester region.
"Strawberries are ready in an abundance - and a little earlier than expected," said Amy Machamer, co-owner of Hurd Orchards, a fruit and flower farm and canning company inMurray, Orleans County. "Regionwide, this is a year for Western New York strawberries. The plants are lush, healthy and nourished and have basked in the beautiful soft, sunshine."
June strawberry season in New York lasts just a few weeks and will be a memory by July, she said. And the berries are bursting with flavor and have peak nutrients. With all that, they also have a short shelf life.
"I've not seen a strawberry field this happy in years," she said. "Everyone should be out there picking this week and next."
Chase Farms in Perinton, Gro-Moore Farms in Rush, Kirby's Farm Market in Brockport as well as Hurd Orchards in Orleans County, are among the farms to begin seasonal pick-your-own strawberries, as of this week.
One popular orchard - Burch Farms in Parma - permanently closed this spring and sold the family-run business to area farmers. Another farmer now manages the orchard and plans to sell fruit at a roadside stand, but eliminated u-pick.
Mendon Acres in Mendon will not offer pick-your-own strawberries this season due to a light crop, said Doug Osovski, who opened the family farm in 2017. It was not yet clear whether the farm will offer u-pick blueberries, blackberries or raspberries, he said.
Here are some pick-your-own farms in the Rochester area offering u-pick fruit and berries this summer. Hours could change daily based on availability and weather,so call the farms or check their social media accounts for the latest information.
Bauman's Farm Market
Located at 1340 Five Mile Line Road in Penfield. Pick-your-own strawberries is expected to start in mid-June. A specific date has not been set. Call(585) 671-2820.
Chase Farms
Located at 469 Pannell Road in Perinton. The farm has astrawberry shortcake and sundae stand. It also growsu-pick raspberries, currants andgooseberries. It also grows a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, for sale at its market. Strawberry picking started Tuesday with morning and evening hours, but check on the farm's hotline for the day's schedule and what is available by calling(315) 986-3691.
G and S Orchards
Located at 825 Atlantic Ave. in Walworth, a mile east of the Penfieldtown line. The farm grows u-pick strawberries, juneberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, currants andgooseberries. Pick-your-own strawberries are not yet ready, but the orchard is aiming to open the fields by mid-June. They also have a roadside stand and aCSAfor fruits and vegetables. Call (315) 524-3823 for updates.
Gro-Moore Farms
Located at 736 Rush-Scottsville Road in Rush. The farm opened for pick-your-own strawberriesthis week. U-pick hours this season are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Call (585) 533-1578 to ensure availability. Pick-your-own fields sometimes close due to weather. Payment is cash only. (The farm's retail operation onEast Henrietta Roadhas closed.)
Hurd Orchards
Located at 17260 Ridge Road, Murray, Orleans County. This summer the farm plans to offer pick-your-own strawberries,cherries, blueberries, red and black raspberries, blackberries, currants and peaches. The Orchard starts pick-your-own strawberries this week. U-pick hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays. Call (585)638-8838 for the latest.
Kirby's Farm Market
Located at 9739 W. Ridge Road, Brockport. Pick-your-own strawberries is already underway and is offered from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more call (585) 637-2600.
Mendon Acres
Located at 4287 Clover St. in Mendon. The farm offers u-pick strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries throughout the summer. Pick-your-own strawberries will not be offered this year due to a light crop. Call (585) 348-7662.
Schutt's Apple Mill
Located at 1063 Plank Road in Penfield. This year will be the first year Schutt's will offer u-pick strawberries, which are expected to start by mid-June. The orchard also offersu-pick raspberries starting in early July, and pick-your-own blackberries in August. Cherries will not be available this summer. Call (585) 872 2924 for the latest information.
West Wind FruitFarm
Located at 928 ManitouRoad, Hilton. The farm is to open in July for pickingraspberries, blueberries, gooseberries, currants, apricots, peaches, nectarines andplums.Call (585) 234-0252 for the most up-to-date information.
