5 Lessons Learned while Berry Picking

Last weekend, we were invited to go strawberry picking with some friends on the coast. We are very fortunate to have so many "U-Pick" farms within driving distance, and it can be a wonderful experience for the whole family. Today, we're sharing five lessons learned while visiting one of these U-Pick farms, and we hope you can use these on your next excursion!

Kids of all ages are so proud of their own harvest.

1) Check the Calendar

While it seems like strawberries are always available in our supermarkets and box stores, strawberries, like most produce, are grown locally in accordance with the seasons. September is the tail end of strawberry season, and while there are very few farms with fruit left on the vines, the berries are super sweet, and ready to eat! We visited Swanton Berry Farms in Davenport, (just South of Pescadero,) and as berry season comes to a close, their calendars say Kiwi Season is right around the corner - starting in November.

Swanton U-Pick Farms, Davenport

2) Dress the Part

Some kids will enjoy the hunt for the perfect berry, others will just pick and eat, pick and eat, and repeat. Either way, they'll need to be wearing clothes that aren't afraid to get dirty! Purple blueberry or red strawberry colors will definitely come home with you, and it might even be fun to take some "before and after" photos of your little taste-testers. Also to note, farms are meant for growing, and with growing any kind of plants comes water, soil and many times -- mud! Even on the hottest, driest days, rain boots may come in handy to keep your kiddos happy in the muddy farmland.

Just look for the bright yellow pick-up truck on the side of Hwy. 1.

3) Cash is King

Most farms only accept cash, some take checks, and some just have a small "collection box" and work solely on the honor system. Come with cash in hand, just as you would at your local farmer's market, as credit cards are not always accepted. One of our favorite parts of visiting U-Pick farms are the unexpected handmade goodies offered at the farm stand. Organic jams, fresh made pies, and even a fun t-shirt can be a great souvenir to bring home once the berries are devoured. What a delicious way to remember your experience.

Jams, pies and berries - how cute is this farm stand?

4) Pause for the "Teachable Moment"

While kids will love tasting their favorite fruits and running around the farm, don't forget to remind them that this is where our food really comes from - before it arrives in supermarket aisles and warehouse shelves, fruits and veggies are planted from seeds, grown on a farm, picked and boxed up for delivery. Help kids make the connection from point A to point B, and remind them of the ingredients needed to grow that tasty strawberry - sunshine, water, soil and seed.

All of the stages of a strawberry - seeds, plants, leaves, flowers and fruit.

At the farm, or in your gardens at home, kids can see that the berries grow right from the blooming flower, change colors like magic - from green to red, and that the strawberry seeds are on the outside instead of the inside of the fruit. Older kids might enjoy taking the fruit to the scales and watching the numbers climb as the fruit is weighed. It's amazing what kids retain from the experience, and how fun to be able to teach your child right at the source.

One for you, and two for me.

5) Take Your Time Remember to enjoy the experience. Our kids are rushed from place to place on a daily basis. Leave ample time in your day to really connect with each other, without a deadline or sense of urgency. Stay and play! Explore the farm, and let the kids roam the fields and stomp in the mud. Many farms offer picnic tables, or space to sit and unwind. Bring some snacks, or some lunch and just take a break from the regular routine and see how it feels to roam about on the farm for an afternoon.

Wide, open space where kids can be free to explore.

Share your experiences in the comments! Where are your favorite places to pick seasonal produce? Have you ever visited a farm to pick berries, apples, veggies with your kids?