About Farmstand Strawberries

Mazza Farms is very proud of our strawberry fields which open in June and depending on the season can last for three to four weeks. You can purchase our strawberries (along with home made biscuits and fresh whipped cream at our retail store) or you can Pick Your Own strawberries in our fields.

We purchase certified, virus-free plants that might cost a little more but produce healthier plants and greater yields of fruit.Strawberries will grow in almost any soil type, but prefer a sandy loam. We know that the important soil factors to consider are adequate water drainage and abundant organic matter. Our soil is well-cultivated and free of perennial weeds. At planting time, our soil is loosened and pulverized to a depth of eight inches and kept loosened to allow runners to take root. Complete preparation of the strawberry fields is our most important consideration at planting time. We work with the fields as early as possible in the spring.

We purchase our plants from a reputable nursery to ensure we have the highest quality plants available. After the plants are set out, during the period of fruit bud development in the fall, during production, and after renovation, extra water may be necessary. Generally, an inch of water per week, either supplied by normal rainfall or irrigation is required. We monitor our fields constantly and our fields are totally irrigated which allows us to keep them appropriately watered at all times.The most important aspect of strawberry culture is weed control. We ensure proper site preparation to help control troublesome perennial weeds. After our plants become established, cultivating begins. Shallow cultivation as close to the plants as possible, combined with hand hoeing, is our recommended practice. To give the plants maximum growth advantage, weeds are removed as soon as they appear. Weed control continues until growth stops in the fall. In addition to weed control and watering, blossoms must be removed from newly set out plants. If fruit is allowed to form on new plants, these plants will not make maximum growth.

After growth has stopped in the fall, we apply at least a three-inch layer of straw over the tops of the plants. Mulching helps protect the plants during severe winters, delays growth in spring (to protect against frosts), helps conserve moisture, and helps with weed control. We remove the mulch in the spring as soon as new leaf growth begins to turn yellow (due to lack of sunlight); but not before there is still any danger of temperatures dipping into the 20's. We part the mulch over the top of the row and move it into the alleyways. We leave a thin layer of mulch on the plants to protect the developing berries and help with moisture conservation. If a strawberry bed is free of weeds, disease, or insect problems and has borne a good crop of berries, we consider using the bed another year which is known as field renovation. After harvest, we remove the mulch and mow the foliage as close to the bed as possible. We then cultivate between the rows of plants and apply fertilizer as needed. The fields are then treated as if they were "new fields".

During the height of the season berries are harvested daily. We strive to provide the highest quality strawberries you will find in the New England! Bring your family to our Pick Your Own fields to experience "easy picking" and wonderful berries. Nothing quite says summer in New England like strawberry shortcake piled high with whipped cream and featuring ripe, juicy strawberries from our fields. Add the in-house bakery baking powder biscuits and you will understand why we look forward every year to strawberry season at Mazza Farms. Watch for future news on our annual Strawberry Festival which is held at the peak of our season! It is a wonderful family experience and in addition to strawberry shortcake, strawberry sundaes, strawberry milkshakes you can experience strawberry fudge, jam and donuts! The children will enjoy the pony rides and all of the activities under the tent. It is a great family experience and one you will thoroughly enjoy!