Strawberry Picking

Strawberry Picking at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company

Come and enjoy fresh strawberries by picking them right off the plants. The Carlsbad Strawberry Company is a family owned farm occupying 80 acres of land and employing 150 people. This farm has been in operation since 1948 and is now in its third generation.

Farm attendants have a kiosk where you can buy farm-fresh fruits and vegetables. You can buy yourself a rack of freshly picked strawberries; better yet, pick your own!

To do this, you must buy a container (small = $6, large = $11) from the attendant and then you are free to pick & choose strawberries to your hearts delight. Upon leaving, the lady will give you a grocery bag to help carry your loaded buckets.

As with all other plants, a strawberry begins its life as a flower. When the flower has been pollinated, a fruit will form. The fruit is green at first, but then turns red. A strawberry is fully ripe when the entire fruit is red - this is when it tastes the best too. (Technically speaking, strawberries are not fruits: they are "accessory fruits").

The best way to pick a strawberry is to grasp the stem about an inch above the fruit. Use a twisty motion to detach the stem from the plant. Place the strawberry lovingly into the bucket. Keep in mind that if you pick a very large bucket, you may bruise the berries at the bottom of the bucket. You can alleviate this problem by pouring some berries into the supplied bag so the berries on top do not squash the berries below.

Another option is to pick the strawberries such that you retain a long the stem. You can then carry the bouquet of strawberries with minimal damage. The price will depend on the size of the bundle (about $3).

The attendants do not mind if you pick and eat at the same time – in fact, they provide water for you to wash the berries before you eat them. However, they do not allow you to sneak out more strawberries than what your bucket can hold. As well, they hate it when you step on the plants, so be respectful of their crop and livelihood.

Location, Hours of Operation

Strawberry picking begins in mid to late April and ends in late June and sometimes early July. Open 7 days a week, 9 am to 5 pm.

What Else is There to Do?

Strawberry picking only takes 15 to 30 minutes; you may wish to combine this trip with something else nearby. The strawberry field is very close to Legoland, to the Field of Flowers, and to the Museum of Music.

There is no food (only raw fruits and vegetables) at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company, but you can get food at the Carlsbad Premium Outlets‎ shopping mall.

• more ways to get farm-fresh fruits & vegetables
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