Strawberry season has officially begun. Mortimer Farms' strawberry fields are open for your family to enjoy the pick your own experience - an experience that is both fun and delicious.
Our strawberry season at Mortimer Farms begins at the end of June and goes through the beginning of October. Today the fields are officially open for the 2022 season (based on availability - daily availability is subject to change).
As you are planning your visit, this is your guide to being a pick your own strawberry expert. From what to pack, when to go, how to check-in, and how to harvest, we're here to help you with everything you need to know to pick strawberries.
First, what to pack:
Cool clothes & hat. Make sure you dress your kids (and yourself) in clothes that are cool enough to wear in the sun and ok to get dirty.
Sunscreen. Make sure to lather your family in sunscreen and wear a hat. There is no shade over the strawberry field because strawberries need sunshine to grow.
Water. Outside food and drink are not permitted, except for water. Please stay hydrated. There are many snacks available at the farm, including sandwiches, salads, wraps, and pastries in the Bakery & Deli in the Country Store.
Second, when to visit Mortimer Farms:
Pick a day. I recommend visiting our What's Pickin' page (https://www.mortimerfarmsaz.com/WhatsPickin) to confirm daily availability and our event calendar (https://www.mortimerfarmsaz.com/EventCalendar) to reserve your general admission ticket before your visit.
Pick a time. We are open from 7am-7pm. The earlier you visit, the cooler the temperature and the more strawberries in the fields. If visiting for the photos, attend in the evening and make good use of the golden hour in the fields.
How to check-in:
After arriving and parking at Mortimer Farms, please make your way into the Country Store to check-in.
As you arrive at the Country Store, you can either show the confirmation email you received when booking your tickets or purchase your general admission tickets.
You will receive your wrist bands, scan a QR code for a map of the farm, and pick up your picking containers (clamshells for berries and red shopping baskets for veggies).
From here, you will exit the glass door of the Country Store into our real working farm. Your day will consist of the pick your own experience, enjoying the animal encounter, and playing in the Farm Park.
How to harvest:
The simple instructions. Find a completely red strawberry and pinch the steam right above the fruit to harvest.
More tips. Please don't assume that just because your kids have eaten strawberries in the past, they don't need a strawberry picking lesson. We want to encourage them away from small white/green unripe berries and encourage harvesting ripe berries. Before getting in the fields, let your kids know only to pick the red strawberries. Also, please advise your kids to be kind to the plants. Please don't step on them (step/jump over them to get to the next row), don't pick berries you don't intend to eat/keep, and leave unripe berries on the vine.
Berries are paid for by the pound on your way out. This is a seasonal crop and is not available all year round. Enjoy while supplies last.
FAQ:
Q: Does the farm provide baskets?
A: Containers are provided. We suggest using clamshells for the berries and red shopping baskets for the veggies.
Q: What is the price for fruit, and do you accept credit cards?
A: Strawberries are 3.00 a pound if you pick them or 4.00 a pound if we pick them. We accept cards and cash. Admission is required to enter the ick your own experience.
Q: Do you have bathrooms?
A: Yes. There are bathrooms connected to the Country Store and porta-potties throughout the farm.
Q: Do we need to wash our berries?
A: We encourage you to wash everything you pick due to food safety.
Q: Is there a difference between small and big strawberries?
A: The size of the berries you pick does not correlate to the ripeness of the berries. What you are looking at instead is the color. For example, pick berries that are deep red on all sides.
Q: What lunch options do you have?
A: You will find our bakery & deli in the Country Store. Sandwiches, salads, wraps, and pastries are found here seven days a week from 7am-7pm. Here is the menu: https://www.mortimerfarmsaz.com/DeliBakery. The Windmill Kitchen (https://www.mortimerfarmsaz.com/TheWindmillKitchen) is also open on festival days and special weekends.
We are looking forward to your family's visit to Mortimer Farms! The pick your own strawberry experience will leave you with the perfect strawberries for making desserts, jams, or just popping in your mouth.
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