Strawberry Fields: 4 Strawberry Picking Farms on Long Island (and a Couple of Festivals)

The East End of Long Island is ripe with places that will allow you to pick your own strawberries. Deciding where to go can be a challenge, so we've hand-picked a few of our favorites. Harvesting your own food is not only fun, it connects you to where your food comes from and supports locals farmers. It also allows you to experience food at it's freshest, right off the vine. This is especially important for Long Island strawberries, which are sweeter and more delicate than the grocery-store varieties and tend to have a shorter shelf life. Last year farmer's were predicting an unusually early crop due to the early spring, but at the time of posting this year, farmer's are predicting their fields will be open for picking in early-mid June. Even so, be sure to call ahead or check the farm's websites to guarantee the fields are open and the strawberries ripe.  Pick-Your-Own

Lewin Farms
812 Sound Ave., Wading River
631-929-4327
The westernmost farm on our list, Lewin Farms was the first-ever pick-your-own farm on Long Island and has been around for four generations. The farm has its very own farm stand with more than 20 varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables. While you're there, stop by the corn stand to indulge in the delectable wonder that is sweet, roasted corn! Hours for pick-your-own strawberries are 9am–4:30pm. Call ahead for availability and days that the fields are open.

Patty's Berries and Bunches
410 Sound Avenue
Mattituck 
631-298-4631
Pick your own will begin in June. Strawberries are sold by the quart for $5. There is a minimum charge of one quart per person who enters the field.Pick your own is open seven days a week from 9am-5:30pm.  Patty DiViello is the daughter of farmers Edward and May Harbes. After picking at Patty's you may want to venture over to 
Harbes Family Farms and Vineyards
 across the street at 715 Sound Avenue 631- 298-0800. The farmyard at this location makes for a great day trip because of all the exciting things it has to offer, including a barnyard, a farmer’s market, and a country café. Tickets for the barnyard are $9.95 on the weekends(includes pig races) and $6.95 on weekdays. Attractions include, a bouncy house, a pedal cart racetrack, goat mountain goat, shetland ponies, bunnyville and new this year, Charlotte's Web. 

Organic Pick-Your-Own

Garden of Eve Organic Farm
4558 Sound Ave., Riverhead
631-722-8777
According to Eve, the owner, the Garden's particular variety of strawberries tend to ripen early, and this year they expect to be open mid-May. In addition to the strawberry picking, young visitors can play in their playground, pet a bunny or chicken, and visit a working bee hive. Classes are offered here year-round for preschoolers through adults.  

Golden Earthworm Organic Farm
652 Peconic Bay Blvd., Jamesport
631-722-3302
Pick-your-own strawberries are available on Fridays and Saturdays beginning Memorial Day weekend. You may also purchase farm produce and baked goods. Farm tours are offered during strawberry season and allow you to visit their rare animal breeds.

Strawberry Festivals

59th Annual Mattituck Lion's Club
Strawberry Festival
1175 Rte. 48, Mattituck
631-298-2222
June 13 6:30–10pm Free admission, carnival rides and food court open only, fireworks at 9pm
June 14th 5-11pm Admission ages 6 and up, $2. under 6 free
June 15th 11am–11pm Admission Adults 12 and over $5. Children 6-12 $2. and under 6 free
June 16th  11am–5pm Free admission for dads, Ages 12 and up $5. Ages 6-12 $2. and under 6 free
Pay-one-price bracelet for midway rides $25.
At the peak of the strawberry season, this annual festival serves up strawberry shortcake, strawberries dipped in chocolate and strawberries just about any way you can imagine. The festival also offers midway rides, live music and more than 100 arts-and-crafts vendors. To top it all off, all the proceeds will benefit local nonprofits on the North Fork.  

Benner's Farm
56 Gnarled Hollow Rd., East Setauket
651-689-8172
June 8th and 9th
Adults $7, children under 12 and seniors: $6.
The Benners will do the picking for you so you can Indulge in strawberry shortcake (homemade by Mrs. Benner), strawberry ice cream (kids can take a hand in making this), strawberry jam and my personal fave: strawberries dipped in chocolate. While on the farm, kids will have a chance to hold baby chicks, ducks, and bunnies, feed the lambs and goats, and visit a tremendous sow, Honey. 

For full coverage of apple picking, pumpkin picking, strawberry picking and farm fun info in the tristate area, check out our Pick Your Own Guide.