A Farm to Table U-Pick Adventure story by Brie Gorecki, photos by Brie Gorecki and Laura Byrne
March is prime time for u-pick around Tampa! From sweet strawberries to fresh veggies, there are plenty of places where you can take advantage of Florida’s early growing season. U-pick can be a fun outing with family and friends and is a great way to get affordable, healthy produce! While strawberries are at the peak of their season in March, there are plenty of other items to pick such as citrus fruits, avocados and peaches. Blueberry season is also just around the corner!
BEFORE YOU GO, HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR U-PICK ADVENTURE! Prepare to get dirty! Closed-toe shoes are ideal for walking the rows of fruit fields (ideally old shoes or ones that are easy to clean). Keep wet wipes and towels on hand to avoid tracking dirt into your car. Pack sun protection—hats, sunscreen and water. Open fields mean lots of sunshine. Bring the right containers. Some places will have bags and boxes for you to put your picked produce in, but it’s always a good idea to bring your own just in case. Keep in mind that you pay by weight, so lighter bags and baskets are a good idea. Don’t end up with squishy strawberries. The warm sun produces some super juicy berries, but they can also get super squishy if not packed properly. It’s helpful to have a large, rimmed tray or wide, flat container to put your berries on in the car to transport home after you’ve picked and paid for them. This helps them stay spread out and avoids them getting smushed, even on a short car ride home. *U-pick availability is subject to change. We recommend checking the location’s website or Facebook page before you go for updates and hours.
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TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2022
