When does pick-your-own strawberry season happen and for how long?
Strawberry season typically lasts only 3 to 4 weeks and is roughly from mid-June to late-July…Mother Nature decides! Be careful not to miss out!
How much does pick-your-own strawberries cost?
Our price is $4.55 per pound. We also have pre-picked quarts ready for purchase right there in the fields! Trays are $2.00 and quarts are 0.25¢. FYI our scales are pre-set to deduct the weight of the trays. Please keep in mind your personal home containers ARE NOT ALLOWED (i.e. pots, pans, greenhouse trays, Tupperware, etc).
Do you take debit or credit cards?
Yes! We take cash, checks, debit cards, and credit cards.
How can I know when the strawberry fields are open for the season?
The best way is to sign up for our email newsletter on this website. You then will be among the first to know! Also you can follow us on Instagram or Facebook. You can also call the Strawberry Hotline at 207-799-3383.
Are there any instructions for picking strawberries?
- Please pick in the area suggested by our staff.
- Pick on each side of the straw-filled row, picking about halfway through and being careful that your feet and knees do not damage plants or fruit along the edge of the row.
- Please pick ALL THE RED BERRIES, large or small (the smallest are often the sweetest). Once red, they will not become any bigger. If left, they spoil and are wasted before we return to this area again.
- Gently pick each berry, being careful not to pull off any green berries in the cluster. Grasp the stem just above the berry and pull with a slight twisting motion. It is best to leave the hulls on the berries as this will help them last longer.
- Carefully place berries in a container. Do not overfill containers.
May I bring my own container?
Containers brought from home ARE NOT ALLOWED (pots, pans, greenhouse trays, Tupperware, etc). However you are allowed to use Maxwell’s Farm trays/quart containers from a PRIOR visit (or prior season even) if you held onto them! As usual, all berries are weighed inside a pick-your-own tray or quart. We pre-set our scales to figure the tare weight of our containers. Remember too, that pick-your-own trays and quarts are made for picking strawberries. The trays allow the berries to be spread out and not heaped so high that those on the bottom are bruised.
Can children come and pick?
Yes of course! This is great family fun and even an educational experience as they learn how to harvest their own food! We do of course ask that children be able to follow all the strawberry picking guidelines including…
- Children must stay in a row with a grown-up and MUST NOT RUN OR JUMP ROWS.
- Teach them to walk without stepping on the plants.
- NO eating will be allowed in the fields.
- Teach them to pick “clean” (pick ALL of the ripe berries, not just the big ones).
May I bring my dog?
NO. Dogs are not allowed on the property for sanitation reasons per federal regulations.
Once you open for the season, are you open everyday?
We are always closed on Sundays. We also sometimes need to close for a day to let the berries ripen so be sure to call or check the website before coming.
Are you open on rainy days?
If the rain is steady and will last for a while, we will consider closing. If it is just misting or appears it will pass, we try to remain open. Remember that cloudy days or foggy days are GREAT for berry picking (no need to worry about getting the berries out of the sun or keeping them cool)!
How do I know which field you will be picking?
In any season, we have 3-5 different fields that we rotate through. We choose based on the most plentiful, most ripe strawberries available. As it gets picked out, we move to the next field. Weather, variety of plants, and the number of customers all affect the frequency of the moves, so it becomes rather unpredictable. It is very important that customers watch for our signs and follow the arrows as sometimes we move in the middle of a day.
Once I pick strawberries, do you provide bags for me to carry the quarts to my car?
We do not. The town of Cape Elizabeth has banned commercial businesses from providing single use plastic bags. Thus we encourage our customers to bring their own reusable bags if needed.
After picking, how should I handle the berries?
After picking, put the berries in a cool place as soon as possible. When ready, first rinse the berries, drain water thoroughly. Second hull the berries (with a huller or knife). If freezing: rinse, drain, hull, then spread out on a cookie sheet and put into the freezer. When frozen, pop them into a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. Enjoy all winter!
Thanks for choosing Maxwell’s Farm!