You’ll find fresh, local strawberries at u-pick patches, farmers’ markets this weekend

June’s rainy, cool weather slowed things down, but the Thompson-Okanagan’s strawberry season is upon us.

Strawberries have been available since early June in the south Okanagan, with Covert Farms u-pick patch near Oliver open for u-pick on Wednesdays through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., by appointment.

See the farm's website for further information. 

Most Farmers’ Markets will have local strawberries for sale this week.

Cheryl Tarves says there will be at least three or four strawberry vendors at this week's Penticton Farmers' Market, operating Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

At Kelowna Farmers’ Market, Eva Dejanoeic says two vendors – Hoa-Mai and Good and Plenty – will have fresh local strawberries at the market, which is open 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday at the corner of Dilworth and Springfield Roads.

Vernon Farmers’ Market manager Ingrid Baron says strawberries are available at the Vernon market as well this week. The Vernon market is open Mondays and Thursday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Kal Tire Place.

Kamloops Farmers’ Market manager Greg Unger says Berry Sweet Garden is selling strawberries at the Kamloops market this week. The Kamloops market operates Saturday in the 200 block of St Paul Street and the Stuart Wood schoolyard, and on Wednesdays in the 400 block of Victoria Street.

Duggan’s Farm’s u-pick patch in Winfield opened last Thursday. For more information, call 250-766-2628.

Further north, however, Dot’s Strawberry Patch in Coldstream opened their u-pick patch for the first time on Sunday, June 21 and again on Tuesday, June 23.

Owner Darla Camber says she expects to have sporadic opening days with the current weather conditions, advising those wishing to pick their own berries to consult the farm’s Facebook page for up to date information.

“They are nice berries. We’re hoping to have a longer season,” she says.

— This story was updated at 11:30 a.m. on June 25, 2020 to correct information about Covert Farms u-pick availability.

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