Strawberry Picking Season by State: 2026 Dates and Peak Times
When do strawberry farms open in your state? See typical opening, peak, and closing dates for u-pick strawberry season in all 50 states.
Last updated: June 2026
Strawberry season in the United States never really stops moving. The first u-pick fields open in Florida in December. The last ones wrap up in northern New England and Alaska in late July. In between, the season rolls north like a slow wave, state by state.
This guide shows the typical u-pick strawberry window for all 50 states, including when farms usually open, when picking peaks, and when the season ends. We track pick-your-own farms across the country, so use the links in each table to see the 581+ strawberry farms in our directory and find one near you.
New to picking? Start with our complete strawberry picking guide for what to bring, what it costs, and how the whole trip works.
The Short Answer
Here is the quick version by region:
- Florida and the Gulf Coast: December through April
- The South: late March through May
- California: March through November on the coast
- Mid-Atlantic: May through mid June
- Midwest and Northeast: late May through early July
- Northern border states and New England: mid June through mid July
One thing to keep in mind for every state below: the dates are typical ranges, not promises. A warm spring can pull a season two weeks early. A cold one can push it two weeks late. The season at any single farm usually lasts only 3 to 5 weeks, and farms post daily field updates on Facebook or their websites. Always check before you drive.
Strawberry Season in the South and Southeast
The South gets the earliest spring picking in the country. Florida is the winter strawberry capital, with picking through the holidays while the rest of the country waits for the ground to thaw.
| State | Typical Season | Peak Picking |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | December to April | February to March |
| Louisiana | February to May | March to April |
| Texas | March to May | April |
| Georgia | Late March to early June | April to May |
| Mississippi | April to May | Mid April to mid May |
| Alabama | April to early June | Late April to May |
| South Carolina | April to early June | Late April to May |
| North Carolina | Mid April to early June | May |
| Tennessee | Late April to early June | May |
| Arkansas | April to early June | May |
| Oklahoma | April to May | Late April to mid May |
Strawberry Season on the West Coast
California is the strawberry giant. Coastal farms get mild weather almost year round, which gives California the longest u-pick season in the country. Inland valleys run shorter, more like April through June.
| State | Typical Season | Peak Picking |
|---|---|---|
| California | March to November (coastal) | April to June |
| Oregon | Late May to July | June |
| Washington | June to July | Mid June to early July |
Strawberry Season in the Southwest and Mountain States
Strawberries need cool nights and steady water, so u-pick farms are fewer and farther between in the dry states. The farms that do exist tend to sit at higher elevations and run short seasons.
| State | Typical Season | Peak Picking |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | March to May | April |
| New Mexico | May to June | Late May to June |
| Nevada | May to June | Late May to June |
| Utah | June | Mid June |
| Colorado | June to July | Late June |
| Idaho | June to July | Late June to early July |
| Montana | Late June to July | July |
| Wyoming | Late June to July | July |
Strawberry Season in the Midwest
The Midwest season starts in the southern states in mid May and finishes near the Canadian border in mid July. June is the magic month for most of the region.
| State | Typical Season | Peak Picking |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | May to June | Late May to mid June |
| Missouri | May to June | Late May to mid June |
| Kentucky | May to June | Late May to mid June |
| Illinois | Mid May to late June | Early to mid June |
| Indiana | Mid May to late June | Early to mid June |
| Ohio | Late May to late June | June |
| Nebraska | Late May to June | June |
| Iowa | June to early July | Mid June |
| Michigan | June to early July | Mid to late June |
| Wisconsin | Mid June to mid July | Late June to early July |
| Minnesota | Mid June to mid July | Late June to early July |
| South Dakota | June to July | Late June |
| North Dakota | Late June to July | Early July |
Strawberry Season in the Mid-Atlantic
The Mid-Atlantic hits its stride in May. These states pack a lot of farms into a small area, so this is one of the easiest regions in the country to find a u-pick field close to home.
| State | Typical Season | Peak Picking |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | May to mid June | Mid May to early June |
| Maryland | Mid May to June | Late May to mid June |
| Delaware | Mid May to June | Late May to mid June |
| West Virginia | Late May to June | June |
| New Jersey | Mid May to June | Late May to mid June |
| Pennsylvania | Late May to June | June |
Strawberry Season in the Northeast and New England
New England picks last and picks proudly. June into July is strawberry time here, and the short season makes opening day a real event. Many farms sell out of ripe berries by early afternoon on peak weekends.
| State | Typical Season | Peak Picking |
|---|---|---|
| New York | June to early July | Mid to late June |
| Connecticut | June to early July | Mid to late June |
| Rhode Island | June to early July | Mid to late June |
| Massachusetts | June to early July | Mid to late June |
| Vermont | Mid June to mid July | Late June to early July |
| New Hampshire | Mid June to mid July | Late June to early July |
| Maine | Mid June to mid July | Late June to early July |
Alaska and Hawaii
The two outliers play by their own rules. Alaska has a short but real strawberry season, usually mid July through August, with long summer days that grow surprisingly sweet berries. Hawaii grows strawberries at higher elevations, like upcountry Maui, where cooler air lets some farms offer picking during the winter and spring months. U-pick options are limited in both states, so always confirm with the farm first.
Why These Dates Move Around
Three things decide when your local farms actually open:
Spring weather. Strawberries flower based on temperature. A warm March can open fields two weeks early. A late frost can wipe out early blooms and push everything back.
The varieties a farm plants. Many farms plant early, mid, and late season varieties on purpose to stretch their picking window. That's why one farm in your county may open two weeks before another.
Picking pressure. A busy weekend can clean out a field. Farms then close for a few days while new berries ripen. This is why farms post daily updates, and why you should check them the morning you go.
Inside each state there's a north-south gap too. Southern Illinois opens well before the Chicago area. The Texas Hill Country runs ahead of the Panhandle. If your local farms haven't opened yet, farms one or two hours south may already be picking.
Ready to Pick?
Find a farm and watch its page for opening day. Our directory lists pick-your-own farms in all 50 states with contact info so you can check field conditions before you drive.
Find strawberry farms near you →
And before you go, brush up with these guides:
- Strawberry Picking: The Complete U-Pick Guide
- How To Pick The Best Strawberries At A U-Pick Farm
- How to Tell if Strawberries Are Bad
Strawberry Season FAQ
How long does strawberry picking season last?
At any single farm, usually 3 to 5 weeks. Nationally, the season runs about seven months, starting in Florida in December and ending in northern New England and Alaska in late July.
What month is best for strawberry picking?
It depends on where you live. February and March are peak in Florida. April and May are best across the South. June is the big month for the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast. Check the table for your state above.
Why do farms in the same state open at different times?
Local weather, elevation, and the strawberry varieties each farm plants all shift the dates. Farms in the southern part of a state usually open one to three weeks before farms in the northern part.
Can I pick strawberries twice a year?
In a few places, yes. Some farms plant everbearing varieties that produce a smaller second crop in late summer or fall. Coastal California farms can offer picking for much of the year. For most of the country, though, strawberry picking is a once-a-year spring event.
What time of day is best to pick strawberries?
Morning. The berries are cool and firm, the field is freshly opened, and the crowds are smaller. On peak weekends, the best berries are often picked out by noon.