Holland is on the cusp of strawberry season, with some local farms already open for u-pick and others preparing to welcome fruit-lovers soon.
The berries are typically planted in March or April, with picking season in Michigan beginning in early-to-mid-June. Be warned, red-fruit-fanatics — the season is short, usually ending by early-to-mid-July. The exact start and end dates vary based on weather conditions, and farmers expect the recent heat wave will shorten the season.
How do farms know when to begin?
Unlike bananas or tomatoes, strawberries don’t continue to ripen after they’re picked. For that reason, local farms must wait until the timing is just right, with large, perfectly sweet berries. Visser Farms, for example, hopes to open as soon as possible but is awaiting that stars-aligned moment.
How to keep strawberries fresh after picking
For ideal flavor, local farmers say it’s best not to wash your strawberries until you’re ready to use and consume them. It’s also wise to keep them in the same container you used to pick them, and to keep them cool in the refrigerator.
When you’re ready to eat, wash the strawberries carefully in a pan or sink of cool water — but don’t soak them or they’ll become waterlogged. When the berries are clean, drain the water and spread them on a paper towel.
For longer storage, farmers recommend freezing the strawberries in a single layer on a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Where to get strawberries in Holland
There are several local options when it comes to getting fresh, sweet strawberries near Holland. Here are some of our go-to spots:
Born and Raised Organics: This farm currently has u-pick strawberries available at 5859 124th Ave. in Fennville. Those interested can sign up for a time slot via signupgenius.com. For updates and more information, visit bornandraisedorganics.com.
Crisp Country Acres: This farm has u-pick strawberries available 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays at 5888 120th Ave. in Holland. For updates and more information, visit crispcountryacres.com/u-pick.
DeLange’s Redberry Farm: This farm expects to open u-pick soon, with a market open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays at 6915 Port Sheldon St. in Hudsonville. For updates and more information, visit redberryfarm.info.
Visser Farms: This farm expects to begin strawberry season soon, with The Berry Shack open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturdays (weather and berry dependent) at 7200 112th Ave. in Holland. For updates and more information, visit visser-farms.com/u-pick-strawberries.
— Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: It’s time for u-pick strawberry season in Holland. Here’s where to go
Reporting by Austin Metz, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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By Austin Metz, Holland Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
