Pick-Your-Own Strawberries in Northern Virginia

With all this rain, it's sure to be helping whatever is in season at some of the farms within driving distance, where you can pick-your-own fruit. May is strawberry-picking season in Northern Virginia and many area farms are opening up to visitors. With sunnier weather surely on the horizon, start planning your options at these farms within a 60 to 90 minute drive. Plus, check out the links below to some great strawberry recipes.

Be sure to call ahead, to make sure the place you plan to visit is open — hours can vary depending on the day, weather forecast, availability or season.

Have you gone strawberry picking? Where do you recommend going? Tell other readers in the comments.

• Mackintosh Fruit Farm — 1608 Russell Road, Berryville, VA 22611. Phone: 540-955-2161. Mackintosh Fruit Farm is open May through October and in addition to strawberries, you may be able to pick apples, nectarines, tomatoes and much more. Drive time: About 75 minutes from McLean. Opening Saturday, May 21 at 8 a.m. Keep up with the farm for the latest info on their Facebook page.
• Hollin Farms — 1524 Snowden Road, Delaplane, VA 20144. Phone: 540-592-3574. Hollin Farms also features apples, blackberries, cherries, peaches and more throughout the summer and fall. Drive time: About an hour from McLean. Opening Friday, May 20.
• Messick's Farm Market — 6025 Catlett Road, Bealeton, VA 22712. Phone: (540) 439-8900. Drive time: About an hour from McLean.
• Great Country Farms — 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, VA 20135. Phone: 540-554-2073. The farm has raspberries, cherries, pumpkins, apples and more, too, depending on the season. Drive time: About an hour from McLean. Keep up with the farm doings on their Facebook page.

What to do with all those strawberries? Here are a few recipes:

• Strawberry Jam (from All Recipes)
• Strawberry Shortcake (from The Food Network)
• Strawberry Rhubarb Pie (from Epicurious)

PHOTO: Mackintosh Fruit Farm photo