From field to basket: The ultimate U-Pick strawberry adventure

Outstanding in Thier Field

Courtesy Photo Ripe red strawberries — the perfect kind to pick — are seen at AJ's Berry Farm in Lachine.

Farming is more than just planting seeds and harvesting crops; it’s a year-round commitment, shaped by tradition, learning, and the unpredictable forces of nature. For AJ and Amy MacArthur, running a U-Pick strawberry farm is not just a business, it’s a shared passion, built on hard work, family history, and a love for growing food. The couple owns AJ’s Berry Farm in Lachine.

AJ’s journey into farming was inspired by both opportunity and family tradition. His mother grew up helping on her aunt’s strawberry farm, and when AJ saw that most local growers were over 70 years old, he recognized a chance to bring fresh energy to the industry.

“I wanted to get into farming, and this seemed like the best way to make a living at it,” AJ explained.

With his wife Amy by his side, the couple took the leap into strawberry farming, blending traditional methods with modern techniques to create a thriving U-Pick operation.

Long before customers arrive to fill their baskets, AJ and Amy work together to ensure a successful harvest. They remove straw from the berries and place it in the footpaths, while in some areas, they stretch blankets over the plants to create a greenhouse effect, encouraging earlier fruit production.

Courtesy Photo The 24 Carrot 4-H Club is seen making strawberry jam with berries they picked fresh at AJ'S Berry Farm in Lachine.

“When flower buds appear, we watch for frosts and irrigate during cold snaps to protect the blooms,” AJ said.

Amy plays a crucial role in monitoring the fields, ensuring that disease control measures are in place.

“This is also the critical time to control fruit rots because the fungi enter through the blossom and come out when the fruit ripens,” AJ added.

With around 10 varieties growing on the farm, the MacArthurs prioritize diversity to extend the picking season. Wendy, Honeyoye, Jewel, and Yambu are the main varieties, alongside trial rows of Galetta and Dickens.

“Strawberries are just like apples,” AJ explained. “Each variety has distinct flavors and pros and cons. Some produce a ton of fruit but aren’t as sweet, making them great for jam. Others are firmer and better for shipping. Soil type also plays a role. What works well on one farm might not thrive on another.”

Courtesy Photo Desiree Leckrone and her sons Owen and Matthew are seen picking strawberries at AJ'S Berry Farm in Lachine.

AJ’s Berry Farm is always testing new varieties, planting a few rows each season to see how they adapt to their soil and growing conditions.

Balancing pest and disease control with fruit safety is also a top priority.

“Everything we use is specifically labeled as safe for strawberries, and most of our treatments are organic,” AJ said.

The couple learned the hard way when their first crop was wiped out by the tarnished plant bug.

“If you don’t spray for that pest, it will destroy your entire crop,” he said.

Courtesy Photo Amy MacArthur's famous strawberry pie.

Unlike seasonal crops, strawberries require attention throughout the year. After harvest, work begins to rejuvenate the plants for the next season, while managing weeds and irrigation until late November when straw mulch is applied. Meanwhile, new fields are planted in May and maintained all summer.

Even with careful planning, nature remains the greatest challenge on the farm.

“Weather can make or break you,”AJ admitted. “It affects frost irrigation, fruit waste, and even future crops since strawberries stay in the ground year-round. Just this week, a thunderstorm with hail nearly wiped out a year’s worth of work just days before harvest.”

Over the years, AJ and Amy have noticed a shift in customer habits.

“Twenty-five years ago, grandmothers picked hundreds of pounds of berries to freeze and make preserves for their families,” AJ recalled. “Now, many visitors come for the experience picking a few strawberries and enjoying a day on the farm.”

Bryanna Beyer

However, there’s been a resurgence of young families embracing traditional food preservation.

“We’re also seeing more people getting back into canning and preserving, just like their grandmothers did,” he added.

For those new to U-Pick, here is some advice from the owners to follow to be a good patron to the fields:

– Look for fully red berries for the best flavor.

– Be gentle to avoid bruising. Grasp the stem and snap it instead of squeezing and pulling.

Courtesy Photo The MacArthur Family: AJ, Amy, Remington, Rebekah, Morgan, Teagan, and Nora.

– You are welcome to bring your own containers from home or bring some cash if you intend to purchase your picking containers at the picking field.

– Follow farm etiquette: stay in your assigned row, pick thoroughly, and leave your flag where you finish.

– Avoid sitting or walking on plants.

– Leave pets at home when possible. The berry patch is not a place for pets and your car will get too hot for them.

– Tasting a few berries is fine, but excessive eating is considered stealing.

For AJ and Amy, running the farm is a labor of love, blending tradition with modern farming techniques. Through careful planning, resilience, and a deep respect for the land, they continue to bring fresh, flavorful berries to their community one harvest at a time.

Amy’s Strawberry Pie Recipe

Glaze :

1-1/2 c. sugar

Pinch of salt

3/4 c. corn starch

Add above ingredients to a pot and whisk together. Add 1-1/2 c. water and stir over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Stir in one small box of strawberry gelatin.

Stir until dissolved and smooth. Let cool completely.

Fill a baked pie crust with whole, capped strawberries. Pour cooled glaze over the top to cover the berries. Refrigerate until set.