Strawberry picking in Quebec is more than just a fun summer activity—it's a celebration of the season, a connection to the land. For many of us, a cherished tradition that evokes childhood memories and the joy of homemade jam. From my childhood of wild berry foraging in Russia to sun-drenched afternoons on local Quebec farms with my friends and family today. My journey with strawberries is one of nostalgia, discovery, and the simple pleasure of tasting a berry still warm from the sun.
Whether you're new to berry picking, this post will guide you through the best farms, berry-picking tips, and a family jam recipe at the end! Just don't forget your Summer Travel essentials if you're coming from afar — digging through bushes on your hands and knees can get thorny!
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Strawberry Picking Memories from My Childhood
I remember walking on the edges of the woods, hesitant to go in. The sun was blazing hot above me, but from somewhere up ahead, a cool breeze and the promise of shade beckoned. But there lay also the ghosts and the goblins, the forest spirits and evil sprites. All the things that awaited my five-year-old-self beyond the invisible line where the grass turned to forest floor and the kingdom of wild, unruly nature began.
And then, I saw it: the lone strawberry. It hanging off of a low plant just beyond the line.
Suddenly, there was no more wavering, no more thought! The woods beckoned with their promise of shade, a cool breeze and wild berry picking, and there I went, already dreaming of the honey strawberry jam that will be my reward.
Memories of Berry Picking in Russia
Berry picking has been a major part of my early childhood in Russia. Going out into the woods and finding the most secluded, wild berry stashes was each family's weekend pastime - and closely guarded secret. We made weekends of it, losing ourselves on trips that never ended, roads that meandered deeper into the unknown.
We grabbed a hold of the familiar - the sight of those ruby red raspberries, the deep dark purple blueberries, the black-as-night blackberries - and followed it until we could fit no more berries into our baskets, until we couldn't possibly eat one more berry for fear of exploding.
Berry Picking in Quebec Today
Since moving to Canada, I have mostly given up on the idea of finding wild berries in the backwoods. But I have not given up the taste for honey strawberry jam, runny and luscious, a river of red punctuated by gem-like berries and bursts of herbs. Nor have I lost the sense of the hunt.
Summer Berry Picking Farm Excursions in Quebec:
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As soon as the first baskets of local berries start popping at the Farmer's Market, I begin planning my summer berry-picking excursions in quebec. Winter is for cozying up with a blanket, fall for apple picking in quebec and Quebec cider route tours, but summer is for berry picking!
I scout the local farms, trying to find one that is organic and has a balance of industries, for that perfect soil (the best one I went to this year was Ferme d'Auteuil). And then, on a weekend at the peak of the season, I gather up a group of friends, hop into a car and go berry picking.
It's the perfect summer activity! A chance to spend time with family and friends, getting your hands deep into the dirt, feeling the earth between your fingernails, and eating berries that still smell like the rain. It's a way of truly celebrating summer by going outside and embracing it, tasting the best of local, seasonal produce, and rejoicing at the possibilities that lie ahead.
When is the Best Time to Go Berry Picking?
Strawberry season in Quebec typically begins in mid-to-late June and lasts until mid-July, though it can stretch into August depending on the weather and farm location. I have found that sweet spot for the juiciest, plumpest berries (especially if you plan on making jam) is usually late June to early July.
Best Strawberry Picking Farms in Quebec?
Quebec is dotted with beautiful U-pick strawberry farms, many just a short drive from Montreal or Quebec City. Here are a few beloved spots to consider:
- Ferme d'Auteuil (Laval) – My personal favorite, this farm has rich, balanced soil thanks to its variety of crops. Their strawberries are intensely flavorful, and the farm is family-friendly with picnic spots.
- Ferme Quinn (Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot) – A popular choice for families, this farm offers not only strawberries but also raspberries, apples, and pumpkins later in the season. They have wagon rides and a small animal barn for kids.
- Ferme Marineau (Laval) – One of the oldest farms in the region, known for its large strawberry fields and farm store selling fresh baked goods and ice cream.
- Ferme Guy Rivest (Rawdon) – A scenic spot offering strawberries and other summer fruits, perfect for a day trip from Montreal with a touch of countryside charm.
- Les Fraises Louis Hébert (Saint-Zotique) – Nestled near the Ontario border, this farm is known for its sprawling fields and sweet, sun-kissed berries.
How to Find the Best Berries:
And as every seasoned berry picker knows, it also comes with its share of secrets. To find the best berries at a berry-picking farm, you should:
- Pick a farm that has other crops as well. It means the soil will be richer.
- When at the farm, go to the very back of the rows. Ignore the dwindling bushes in the beginning, the ones everyone gravitates towards. That's not where the good stuff is! Instead, go bravely where no one has gone before: the very back of the lot. Go backwards, and collect your rewards.
- Pick the berries that are hiding deeper in the plant or bush, and not the ones that are up top or most visible. They will be the juiciest and ripest, full of that unblemished berry flavour.
- Finally, taste from each bush before you pick. Just because the bush looks good, or that the one beside it yielded good results, or that your gut is really telling you can't eat any more berries, don't skip. Taste, or pay for it later with lackluster, watery berries.
- Avoid the days immediately following the rain if you plan on using the berries for jam making. The berries will be watery and, though appearing juicy, will actually make your jam way too runny.
- If picking berries for jam, go for small berries. These have the most pulp and the least water in them, resulting in a meatier, less runny jam.
- Storing your freshly picked strawberries can be a hassle. Read my friend's guide on how to store strawberries to prevent your precious berries from going bad!
Don't Miss out on Strawberry Picking this Summer
Yet my favourite part of the whole berry-picking experience comes after, when my friends and I return to my place to cook down all the lovely berries we picked into a beautiful, shiny jam (see my unique honey strawberry jam recipe on my other blog). This is my chance to play with unique flavour combinations, to make cute labels and to develop a gift that will bring back the taste of summer for many months to come.
In short, celebrate summer. Grab a basket and go to the nearest berry-picking farm (find Quebec strawberry farms). Invite your friends. Pick to your heart's desire, filling your belly with berries and your hands with dirt. Laugh until your sides ache. And then come back home, fire up an old enameled cast iron pot or stainless steel skillet, and make honey strawberry jam.
The memories will last you a lifetime. But the taste of that barely sweetened honey strawberry jam? That will go even further.
