As much as we Houstonians love our farmers markets and H-E-B, it’s nice to leave the concrete and taillights of the city every so often to get our produce straight from the source. The metro area is full of small, family-owned farms that open up their fields to visitors. For a small fee, they’ll even let you take home the fruits of your labor!
For families and caregivers of young children, fruit-picking can also be a great educational opportunity, as it lets kids see how and where their food is grown. And when it comes to fruit-picking, strawberry is king. Kids will love running to find the perfectly ripe berries, while parents, babysitters, and nannies will like the great vitamins and nutrients contained inside. If you’re looking for a great place to go strawberry picking this year in Houston, start by checking out these five farms.
Blessington Farms
Address: 510 Chisolm Trail, Wallis, TX 77485
Hours: Picking season typically runs December – May | Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (while supplies last)
Phone: 832-444-8717
Fees: $5 per pound
When Houstonians think berry-picking, they often think of Blessington Farms. In addition to the bright red strawberries growing in their fields every winter and spring, visitors can also pick blueberries (in May and June) and blackberries (in June and July). Much of the year, Blessington also hosts a ton of country-themed games and activities, including multiple petting zoos — though these attractions close down over the winter. To take full advantage of everything the farm has to offer, visit in March when activities resume.
Note: Hours are approximate, and the farm closes when the supply for the day has run out, so it’s best to arrive right when gates open at 10 a.m.
P-6 Farms
Address: 9963 Poole’s Road, Montgomery, TX 77356
Dates/Hours: Picking season typically begins in March | Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Sunday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Phone: 936-597-6062
Fees: Ages 3 – 61, $2 entry + $3 per pound (Ages 2 & under, free entry)
Every fall, P-6 Farms has one of the best kid-friendly corn mazes in the Houston area, but come springtime, it’s berry heaven. While the farm has both a picking fee and a $1 bucket fee on top of the per pound cost for berries, one admission price gets credited back to you at checkout for every 5 pounds of strawberries you buy, and you can reuse the bucket for any future visits.
Be sure to check out Bunnies & Berries Fest, a three-week festival that boasts not just sweet fruit and cuddly creatures, but also the whole range of kid-friendly activities housed on-site — including jumping pillows, vintage carnival rides, and a petting zoo. This event takes place the last three weekends in March and features extended picking hours.
Pro-tip: The $2 farm fee and $1 bucket fee must be paid in cash only, so be sure to hit up an ATM before you head out to the farm.
Froberg’s Farm
Address: 3601 W. Highway 6, Alvin, TX 77511
Dates & Times: Picking season runs January – May | Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Friday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Phone: 281-585-3531
Fees: $2.50 per pound
When the Froberg family bought its 22-acre farm decades ago, strawberries were the only crop they grew. At the time, men were being drafted out to war, leaving few behind to pick the berries growing in the fields. That’s when the family opened up the farm to those who wanted to pick their own — launching an annual tradition that still exists today.
Activities abound at Froberg’s all year long. During the fall, the farm boasts one of the best fall festivals for Houston families — with a wide range of games and rides, including plastic duck races and a corn cannon. Come December, it also hosts a winter festival, complete with holiday lights and photos with Santa. In addition to berry-picking, the farm offers other seasonal fruits and vegetables grown on the farm, like Brussels sprouts, kumquats, and kale.
Note: Like at P-6 Farms, you have to buy one of the farm’s buckets for $1 prior to picking, and you have to pay with cash. But buckets can be reused if you come back for more picking next year or later in the season.
Atkinson Farms
Address: 3217 Spring Cypress Road, Spring, TX 77388
Dates/Hours: Picking season typically begins in March | Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Sunday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Phone: 832-381-8202
Fees: Vary, but typically $2.50 – $3 per pound
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Atkinson Farms produce seems to be everywhere. The fresh fruits and vegetables grown on this small family farm have been a staple at Houston-area farmers markets for decades and in popular Inner Loop restaurants like Underbelly and Local Foods. It also has its own community market and — of course — you can come pick your own. Located in Spring, Texas — less than an hour from downtown — Atkinson is also one of the closer pick-your-own options around the city.
Jollisant Farm
Address: 11351 County Road 203, Plantersville, TX 77363
Dates/Hours: Picking season typically runs February – June | Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. | They also take appointments.
Phone: 936-894-2766
Fees: $6 per pound
Jollisant Farm is the pinnacle of wholesome. The organic strawberries grown at this family-owned-and-operated farm are pesticide free, and no alcohol, smoking, or foul language is allowed — making it a great place to bring young children. In addition to berries, families can pick myriad fruits, veggies, and other kinds of plants grown on-site, including leafy greens, spices, and flowers.
While you’re there, swing by the fishing pier. For $10 per child (ages 6 to 13 years) or $20 for adults (13 and up), you can fish in the catch-and-release pond that’s stocked to the gills (pun intended!) with catfish. The farm even has fishing poles and tackle equipment available to rent if needed.
Did your favorite berry farm make the list? Share it in the comments below!
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