If there’s a better warm-weather activity than some good, old-fashioned fruit picking, we’re hard pressed to find one. And with summer in full swing, it’s the perfect time to go hunting for the most delectable fruit of the season: strawberries! Believe it or not, Texas is home to some seriously great spots for strawberry picking. The little ones will simply adore rooting around a local farm or strawberry patch for batches of this sun-warmed fruit, making this a glorious weekend activity for the whole family to enjoy. This could even be a great weekday outing for the kids and your babysitter or nanny!
Just a few notes before you go! It is Texas, after all, which means you can expect warm temperatures. Make sure to bring plenty of ice-cold water, sunscreen, and hats. We also recommend getting in touch with the farm you’ll be visiting in advance, as most of the places on this list are local spots whose hours are subject to change. Finally, be sure to BYOB: bring your own bucket! Pack up your pails and a picnic, and head for one of these sweet spots.
Marburger Orchard
Address: 559 Kuhlmann Road, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Hours: Open by appointment only.
Phone: 830-997-9433
Fees: Pricing is flexible, reflecting changing conditions.
Just south of Fredericksburg, Marburger Orchards is one of the largest pick-your-own farms in the entire county. For over 30 years, the Marburger family has been growing high-quality blackberries, strawberries, and peaches that people come for miles to pick. And when the strawberries make their first appearance in early spring (late March/early April), there are so many of these bright and beautiful berries that locals call it “the red flood.” Be sure to call in advance before you make the drive, or check for daily updates here.
Sweet Eats Fruit Farm
Address: 14400 E. State Highway 29, Granger, TX 76530
Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 512-766-3276
Fees: Adults, $10 | Kids, $12 | Kids 2 and under, free
Located 45 minutes from Austin on the outskirts of Georgetown, Sweet Eats Fruit Farm is 77 acres of pure berry-picking goodness. Sweet Eats is a fabulously family-friendly farm. There are all sorts of activities here that the kids will love, including a petting zoo and pony rides. Block out a solid chunk of your day if you’re heading to Sweet Eats to really take advantage of all there is to do here, in addition to the awesome fruit picking.
Markley Family Farm
Address: 394 Union Wine Road, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Hours: Contact the farm directly for more details.
Phone: 830-237-8817
Fees: Pricing is flexible. Call for more details.
Markley Family Farm in New Braunfels is run by local farmer Bryan Markley and his family, and it’s well-known for having some of the best fresh strawberries around. There’s no shortage, either. Each year, the farm produces up to 10,000 pounds of this yummy fruit! While strawberries are their main crop, the Markleys also grow plenty of other fruits and veggies. In fact, the farm’s Community Supported Agriculture program is definitely worth joining if you live in the area and like getting farm-fresh produce every week.
Three Cousins’ Strawberry Patch
Address: 575 Rutledge Road, Poteet, TX 78654
Hours: Open by appointment only.
Phone: 830-480-2060
Fees: Pricing is donation-based only.
Three Cousins’ Strawberry Patch, located in nearby Poteet, truly has some of the best strawberries in Texas. Don’t believe us? Every year, the town holds the Poteet Strawberry Festival, thanks to its abundance of this farm-fresh fruit! Three Cousins’ is run by three local young women whose grandfather, a former agriculture teacher, helped them start the patch. They now run it purely as a pick-your-own operation, and all proceeds go toward “future goals, like college,” according to their website. Be sure to call ahead and make an appointment!
Uncertain Farms
Address: 218 Crystal Lane, Seguin, TX 78155
Hours: Open by appointment only; contact the farm for more details.
Phone: 820-832-6431
Fees: Pricing is flexible.
A family-run farm that started in 1989, Uncertain Farms is home to 17 acres of several greenhouses and a wide assortment of crops — including delectable strawberries. Their sustainable farming practices and small, family-owned vibe make Uncertain Farms a great place to bring the kids for some berry picking. They also have a variety of delicious homemade jams, jellies, and salsa, so be sure to bring enough bags to pack up your loot for the trip home.
Oak Hill Farms
Address: 304 County Road, Jourdanton, TX 78026
Hours: Contact the farm directly for more details.
Phone: 512-470-7292
Fees: Pricing is flexible and changes according to conditions.
Not only is Poteet home to the Strawberry Festival, but this charming town is also known as the Texas Capital of Strawberries! So, it’s no wonder that you’ll find all the yummiest strawberries you could ever eat at Oak Hill Farms. In fact, the owner of the farm, Cora Lamar, recently told the Southwest Farm Press that the reason why Poteet strawberries are so sweet is because “we wait until they’re good and ripe on the plant before we ship them [or pick them].” Oak Hill Farms has been a part of Lamar’s family for over 30 years — talk about a lovely tradition!
Sweet Berry Farm
Address: 1801 FM 1980, Marble Falls, TX 78654
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday – Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Hours are seasonal. Closed for summer.
Phone: 830-798-1462
Fees: Pricing is flexible. Note: Only cash & check accepted.
Nestled on a picturesque piece of land near Marble Falls, Sweet Berry Farm is a treat. Picking strawberries at Sweet Berry has become a quintessential Austin springtime tradition, and when you go, it’s not hard to see why. The farm itself is postcard pretty, and there are lots of fun activities for the kiddos. They’ll love feeding the goats and sampling the fresh berry ice cream that’s usually on hand. Bring along a picnic, meander through the strawberry fields, and soak up all that Sweet Berry has to offer.
K.H. Farm
Address: 200 W. Tank Hollow Road, Poteet, TX 78065
Hours: Call for available picking hours. | Closed for the season.
Phone: 888-493-1118
Fees: Prices vary according to conditions.
If it’s fresh-picked, locally grown strawberries you’re after, K.H. Farms is a wonderful place to visit. Located about 5 miles west of Poteet, K.H. is a family-owned berry operation that also raises and sells lots of other mouthwatering produce, including plums, tangerines, blackberries, and peaches. They even offer occasional educational tours for visitors to the farm, so your little ones can learn more about where their berries come from. Contact them ahead of time to ensure that they’re open, as this is a small-scale farm with limited hours.
Springdale Farm
Address: 755 Springdale Road, Austin, TX 78702
Hours: Wednesday & Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Phone: 512-386-8899
Fees: Prices vary according to conditions and season.
Situated in the heart of Austin, this award-winning urban farm operation grows over 75 seasonal vegetables and other produce. Bring the kids to their farm stand, open every Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or plan a visit for some berry picking. Springdale Farm is well-known throughout town, thanks to the fact that they contribute so heavily to the local Austin food community — many restaurants in town carry their crops.
Froberg’s Farm
Address: 3601 Highway 6, Alvin, TX 77511
Hours: Farm open daily, 8.a.m. – 6 p.m. | Strawberry picking is January – late May.
Phone: 281-585-3531
Fees: Bucket, $1 | Berries per pound, $2.49
Three generations of Frobergs have kept the farm running since 1936, and they began by growing only strawberries. Though the farm has since branched out to over 40 other kinds of produce, Froberg’s strawberries still remain one of their all-time best crops. The whole family will love the pleasant and cheery atmosphere at Froberg’s Farm. Picking season usually runs from January through late May, so you’ll want to either check the website or give the farm a call before going.
Did we list all your favorite places to go strawberry picking around Austin? Let us know in the comments below!
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