Not the Festival Type? Go Pick Your Own Strawberries

Riverhead and the North Fork is full of farmstands bursting with fruits and vegetables this time of year. Strawberry season is in full swing for the month of June, epitomized by .

But if you're looking for a unique way to bring home some of the best local berries, there are plenty of "u-pick farms" around. Patch has found a few of the best around and compiled them into an easy read list.

PATTY'S BERRIES AND BUNCHES

• Patty's Berries and Bunches is located at 410 Sound Avenue in Mattituck, across the street from Harbes Family Farm.  They offer minimized chemical and pesticide use.  Strawberries can be bought per a quart at the farmstand or you can pick your own $5 per quart.  They also offer other seasonal items for sale at their farmstand such as honey from their bee hives and local grown flowers.  They keep a handy updated chart on their website so you always no what is in season and available for picking. Open daily, rain or shine from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

GOLDEN EARTHWORM ORGANIC FARM

• Golden Earthworm Organic Farm is located at 652 Peconic Bay Boulevard in Jamesport.  They generally are a production farm and not open to the public. However they do have U pick strawberries on select days listed on their website. Prices are $4.50 per quart and you are limited to picking two quarts per family, due to supply.  They also offer farm walking tours on select days and times.

WINDY ACRES FARM

• Windy Acres Farm is located at 3810 Middle Country Road in Calverton.  They offer U pick strawberries starting early June.  They also have a wooden structure playground available for customers and picnic tables.  Strawberries can be bought in their farmstand as well as U pick.  It is suggested that you call the farm at 631-727-4554 for U pick availability.  Open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

ROTTKAMP'S FOX HOLLOW FARM

• Rottkamp's Fox Hollow Farm is located at 143 Sound Avenue in Baiting Hollow.  They offer pick your own berries on Friday's 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday's 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday's 10 a.m.-5 p.m. They are not open if it rains.  They also have a fully stocked farmstand. Call the farm for current pricing 631-727-1786.

ANDERSON FARMS

• Anderson Farms is located in Riverhead on Middle Road.  They are open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and closed on Tuesdays.  They have U pick strawberries available by the quart for $3.50 as well as a farmstand with a variety of fresh seasonal produce.