Best spot for PYO strawberries?

[twentyoystahs]

Any one been out lately? Tips? Advice? Ideally kid friendly as it's really more of an activity for my 3 yr old ;)

thanks.

[treb]

Not sure where you're located but, Ingaldsby Farm, on rt 113 in Boxford, is PYO and they also have a petting zoo.

[sallyt]

We've been to Verrill Farm the past two summers, which is great - my daughter (3 the first summer) loved it. Last year the strawberries weren't quite as amazing... I've also heard good things about Ward's Berry Farm in Sharon and Lookout Farm in Natick - both very kid-friendly.

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Verrill Farm
11 Wheeler Rd, Concord, MA, MA 01742

[kobuta]

I'll second this. Had a lot of fun last year (with some delicious -albeit small- strawberries). Getting to browse their excellent farm store is a plus after back-breaking and sweaty strawberry picking.

[Guido]

Verrill picking opens tomorrow according to web site. Beware weather may prevent same.

[Velda Mae]

I like Jane & Paul's Farm in Norfolk. They're very friendly and laid back there. There is a small rabbit hutch and a pen with goats and chickens and little chow dispensers for feeding the animals. About 10 minutes away on Rte. 109 in Westwood is the Bubbling Brook restaurant and ice cream stand.

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Bubbling Brook Restaurant
1652 High St, Westwood, MA 02090

[Bellachefa]

If Sharon is convenient, check out Ward's

http://www.wardsberryfarm.com/events.html

you could also include a stop at Crescent Ridge on the other side of town

http://www.crescentridge.com/

[stomachofsteel]

Haven't been this or last year, but I like Russell Orchards in Ipswich, which sells their very good cider doughnuts in the store, even in the summer, as well as ice pops made from frozen cider. They have animals in pens but don't remember if it's an actual petting zoo? (I think not). Of course a trip to Russell Orchards gives me an excuse for a fried clam run as well.

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Russell Orchards
143 Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA 01938

[Isolda]

They sell those fabulous donuts in the summer? Wow, I wish you had not told me that! I consider it restraint to go only in the autumn to eat my, oh, dozen or so (they're small, people!) but now that I know you can get them this time of year, I may have to make a Crane's Beach/Russell Orchards run this summer.

[stomachofsteel]

Yes, I have definitely eaten them on a strawberry-picking expedition in June. Sorry, Isolda. I feel your pain.

[fesenjan]

We like Connors Farm in Danvers (depending on where you are). Open for picking now, 9am-6pm. Strawberry Festival Sat the 18th.

[meeps2002]

I recommend leaving Boston, and MA for that matter. Head to Southern Rhode Island:

http://www.schartnerfarms.com/

Amazing Property, Both Strawberries, Blueberries, a large farmers market building and you are minutes from the beach.

[makonna]

It's too late for this year, but I thought I'd mention that I took the little ones (3 & 5 yo) to both Verrill (first strawberry weekend 3 weeks ago) and Smolak farms (this weekend likely last strawberry picking weekend) this year and we had lots of fun at both. We picked 8lbs the first time in about an hour, mostly me picking, and about 6lbs as it was slightly more work to pick around the too ripe strawberries as it was season end. I always think it's just a nice activity for the kids. We made jam after stuffing ourselves. Nice people at both farms, with the option of purchsing treats to snack on before or after. Although the berries were sweet, so I have to watch that the kids aren't eating rather than packing their cartons.