Going out into the fields and picking your own vegetables and fruit is a time-honored tradition that people have been doing for decades. Sometimes we need a break, disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of everyday modern life and reconnecting with the beauty of the natural world.
Strawberries are not only the third most popular fruit in the United States, but strawberry picking in Louisiana has become a popular pastime for family and friends to do together.
If you’re looking for something exciting to do on vacation or just need a break from your long work week, take a mini-day trip with friends or loved ones to a strawberry field. Leaving with a large bucket of those sweet, tangy berries that explode with every bite sure sounds like a great way to spend your time.
In this post, I’ll introduce you to the best strawberry farms in Louisiana. The next time you’re looking for family fun or just want to take some time to reconnect to nature, you’ll know exactly where to go.
Strawberry Season
Before introducing you to the best strawberry farms in Louisiana, I wanted to give you a little insight into the strawberry picking season.
The growing season can vary depending on the farm’s location within the state. This means that just because strawberries are ready in Southern Louisiana, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the strawberries in Northern Louisiana will be.
The harvesting season ranges from mid-March to late May; however, many farms will be harvesting until Labor Day as long as it doesn’t get too cold.
Louisiana ranks in the top 10 in the United States for strawberry production. This is because of the rich, loamy soil found throughout the state. Known for their sweetness and size, the strawberries grown in Louisiana can be found throughout the country at local grocery stores.
Best Strawberry Farms in Louisiana
Mrs. Heather’s Farm
Albany, Louisiana
First on my list of best strawberry farms in Louisiana is Mrs. Heather’s Farm. Located in Albany, Louisiana, this farm-to-table strawberry and pumpkin field has been a staple of the community for decades, creating exciting and interactive activities.
With the help of knowledgeable professionals to answer any and all your questions, you can learn about the process of growing strawberries, from seed to plant, before you go and pick your own.
Wandering around this Louisiana strawberry farm and collecting these flavorful berries isn’t all they have to offer. Mrs. Heather’s farm has created a fun zone that the whole family can enjoy. Popular activities include face painting, zip-lining, and tractor races, just to name a few.
Need a break after a long day? Then you can go and enjoy those freshly picked strawberries in a refreshing picnic area.
Just a quick reminder that admission to Mrs. Heather’s Farm is cash only, so you’ll need to make sure to have it on hand before you go.
CM Farms
Dry Creek, Louisiana
Located in Dry Creek, Louisiana, next on our best strawberry farms in Louisiana list is CM Farms. This is an opportunity to visit a real working cattle and sheep farm that also offers a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries.
Every spring, this family-owned farm opens its strawberry fields for people to come and pick their own. Each u-pick visitor is provided a container that they can fill and take home for a small fee. Be aware that the container isn’t included in the admission fee.
Spring doesn’t just mean strawberries either on this farm, but also the arrival of the new baby animals, such as baby chicks and lambs. I mean, who can turn down those precious baby faces?
Want to take a break and eat something? They also have their CM Farms Calf-A located on the grounds, where you and your family can enjoy some hamburgers, hotdogs, and even boiled shrimp and crawfish, depending on the season.
Landry-Poche Farms
Springfield, Louisiana
The next farm that’s made it onto our list for the best strawberry picking in Louisiana is Landry-Poche Farms. Located in the small town of Springfield, this Louisiana strawberry farm was established in 1926 and, over the years, has become a large staple within the community.
This fourth-generation family-owned and operated strawberry farm in Louisiana specializes in growing and harvesting strawberries. It’s currently run by Rhonda Poche and her partner.
Many of the reviews state that people come back year after year because of the great care the staff takes in their crops. The farm is also known for welcoming their visitors with open arms and treating them like family.
They also have a smaller ground area that is great for children, making it easier for the kids to go row by row and for their families to keep an eye on them.
Be sure to check their website and their Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.
Indian Village Harvest Farm
Calhoun, Louisiana
Indian Village Harvest Farm is a small farm that offers strawberry picking in Louisiana. Located in Calhoun, Louisiana, it’s one of the only farms in Northern Louisiana that offers u-pick strawberries.
Not only are they known for the wonderful fresh produce, but also their fantastic customer service. If you contact them via their site, they’ll get back to you within an hour or so and answer all your questions.
This Louisiana strawberry farm also offers birthday parties. This will include access to their playground, animal feed for the multiple animals running around, a hayride around the farm, and even a gift for the birthday boy or girl. Kids will have a great time here, all while learning about farming in a fun and educational way. Sounds like a great way to spend your birthday, if you ask me.
Can’t make it to the farm during strawberry harvest time? Not a problem; they have a traveling stall that can be found via their Facebook page, where they’ll announce locations and times. I know it would be a bummer not to get to pick them yourself, but at least you’ll still be able to get your hands on those tangy, sweet berries.
Country Sweet
Frierson, Louisiana
Last but not least is Country Sweet, which offers fresh local strawberries for pre-pick and u-pick. They’ve been open to u-pick strawberry picking for just two years, which makes them a much younger farm than the others on our list.
Don’t let the young age of this beautiful Louisiana strawberry farm fool you. What it lacks in years of operation, it makes up for with its beautiful, luscious strawberries that many people will pick and then freeze so they can continue to eat them throughout the year.
Located in Frierson, Louisiana, this farm is well on its way to becoming a well-loved family tradition to visit for years to come to pick from Country Sweet’s fields. The promise of future summer memories for visitors makes this a perfect place to end our list of the best strawberry farms in Louisiana.
Things to Know Before You Go Strawberry Picking
Now that you know which strawberry farm in Louisiana you plan on visiting, here are a few quick tips to help it go as smoothly as possible – especially if you plan on going with your family or friends.
Verify Availability of Fruit
It’s best if you contact the farm before you go. This is so you can confirm that the berries are ready and are still available. Most farms are family owned and have a first-come, first-serve way of doing things, meaning once all the strawberries have been picked, the harvest season is over.
Pick at the Best Time of Day
It’s best to go strawberry picking in Louisiana in the morning to ensure that you have the best selection possible.
Dress for the Occasion
You’ll probably get a little dirty, so it’s best if you wear old clothes that you don’t mind possibly getting stained by the strawberry juice.
Don’t forget comfy shoes! We have a guide all about Gardening Clothes to help you select what you need from head to toe.
Don’t Forget These Things, Either!
- Water. As much fun as strawberry picking in Louisiana is, it’s also manual labor, which means you’ll get hot and thirsty. It’s best to be safe and stay hydrated so you don’t have to cut your visit short because of overheating or sunstroke.
- Cash/checkbook. Many of these small farms that offer strawberry picking do not have the ability to run debit or credit cards, so it’s bests to have cash or a checkbook on hand.
- Container(s). Many of the farms will have containers that you can purchase for a small fee, but it’s best to be prepared and bring one just in case they aren’t available.
- Clean-up supplies. Wet wipes will come in handy to clean your hands after spending the day picking in a strawberry field.
Ready to Pick Strawberries in Louisiana?
If you’ve never visited a Louisiana u-pick strawberry farm before, you might be surprised how much you enjoy harvesting your own fruit – especially fruit your grocery store produce section can’t compete with or may not have. Now that you know where the best strawberry farms in Louisiana are, you may end up making it a family tradition that’ll last for generations to come.
Here at Minneopa Orchards, we want to help you find activities you can do with your friends and family, such as strawberry picking in Louisiana. We enjoy recommending ways to connect with fruit businesses in the local community.
Looking for more adventures to go on with your family in the Bayou State? Then check out our article on the Best Pumpkin Patches in Louisiana to help you plan for the fall.