Discussions

Wanting to go strawberry picking this week, but wondering how worth it is this year. With all of the rain, etc., have the berries been good this year in quality and quantity? Last year was a bit of a bust it seemed, berries were very small and there were not many. Hoping it is a better year this year.

We went strawberry picking just out on grand Valley Road last week, the berries were large enough but there was lots that were rotten. I’m not sure if it was just the excess moisture but they were definitely over ripe.

Hi I went to Grand Valley Fri. and they were a pretty good size, sweet and easy to pick.  
 
Yes, I say go for it.

With the amount of moisture and heat that we have has in recent days, berries will be ripening at a fairly fast pace, so if interested in getting fresh berries don’t procrastinate.

I went picking yesterday. I had my child in a stroller and they told me strollers weren’t allowed. Told me to push my stroller through the dirt and I could pick the second row in and leave the stroller off to the side. Have you ever pushed a stroller through dirt? Not to mention the row they told us to go on had barely any plants on it so that meant barely any strawberries. Talk about frustrating, disappointing and disheartening. I did move over a couple rows - and the berries were better but there was a lot of too ripe ones, a lot of dirty ones that were touching the dirt (no straw under them) but I managed to get a basket.

If you don't mind a drive, try Hicks Berry Farm in Souris. We picked right at the beginning of the season, and there were none of the issues as mentioned above, with the exception of strollers rolling through dirt. Although in the field we were in, it most likely would not have been an issue. We have always picked at this farm (except one year) and have never been disappointed.  
 
Unless you have large wheels on your stroller, you won't get far on dirt. In the past when we needed a stroller, it hadn't been an issue at Hicks, but again, our stroller had large tires. There is no rule of strollers not allowed.

If you don't mind a little drive, head out to Portage (make sure you phone and check on conditions before your leave).  
They have at least 4 large berry farms, staff are friendly at all, kids are welcome at all. And their Upick price is only $10!

Picked 4 pails quickly yesterday at grand valley. Berries are plentiful and so juicy.

We got 6 baskets yesterday at grand valley and they are great!

Does anyone who’s been know approx how much time would be left for picking? Won’t be in Brandon until the weekend so wondering if I will still be able to go or not. Thanks!

I was there last night. Still some green ones coming in. The lady said she estimates another week or so for picking still.

Went by this morning. Tons of red in the field and quite a few folks out for being more than a couple weeks into the season. Did have to be choosey to pass up berries that might've been over-ripe, all told came away with a nice full basket to gorge on!