Strawberry picking season is under way and we're blessed with some of the very best in the world in our corner of Hampshire.
Wet conditions have meant a slow start for families wanting their strawberry fix at Southampton favourite Pickwell Farm, in Grange Road, where growers say it will be a start/stop affair until the main crop get into full swing from mid June.
But eager pickers have been busy picking juicy fruit from the polytunnels at Goodall's in Lymington since the start of May.
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In the late 19th century, strawberry growing in the world famous Hamble Valley was a booming industry.
During the picking season, the stations of Bursledon and Swanwick were thronged with growers loading their fruit onto special trains which then took the produce all over the country.
The combination of a mild, frost-free, climate and suitable soils meant that Titchfield strawberries were not only considered to be the best but were also the first to market.
These days, New Forest grown strawberries, which are particularly juicy, bright and delicious, are highly regarded and used by some of the major supermarkets.
No summer afternoon, or trip to Wimbledon, is complete without a bowl of juicy red strawberries and fresh cream.
Pick your own is a great day out for all the family and supports local businesses.
Here's some of the best places to go to pick strawberries.
Pickwell Farm
Find Zeeberry, the famous strawberry zebra rescued from a previous trail around Southampton, and follow the signs into the fields.
Pickwell is open for picking and rows and rows of juicy strawberries will be available from mid June, with the added bonus of fresh peas, beans, rhubarb, courgette and more.
This year's pick your own price is £5.50 per kg.
The family business has been based in Bursledon since 1985.
Goodall's Strawberry Farm
Some of the earliest specimens are available at this lovely site, overlooking the Isle of Wight ferry departure point in Lymington, thanks to the rows and rows of polytunnels.
Plenty of delicious varieties are grown here with the added bonus of a superb crazy golf course next door for added family fun.
Meon-Bye Farm
Steve Harris PYO is a small third-generation family run farm. Part of the fabric of Titchfield Village for more than 90 years, the Black Shed Stall is open for the first ready picked strawberries with pick your own set to follow soon.
Hollam Nurseries
Starting out as a small dairy farm in 1961, the site in Titchfield Road specialises in daffodil and sweetcorn farming with pick your own strawberries and pumpkins and sunflowers. This year's strawberry crop is on its way.
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