A pick-your-own strawberry farm is sharing its luscious produce with thousands of people who are travelling from all over the country just to get a taste.

Shirley’s Strawberries in Ōhau, south of Levin, is run by second-generation strawberry farmer Sue Hori Te Pa, her husband Rob Fifita-Tovo​, and their wider whānau.

The farm has several large plots that grow tonnes of strawberries each year, mostly for market.

But, those that don’t make the sale table are left in their leafy lines for fruit lovers to pick themselves during the summer break.

Hori Te Pa took over the farm from her mum, Shirley Donovan, six seasons ago and introduced pick-your-own days as a way to give her workers a break during the Christmas season.

She said she also wanted to show people how they grew their berries.

“Especially kids, as sometimes they don’t make that connection.”

People have made it their own tradition, with many families returning each year.

“I remember this one family, they came with their baby when she was about 1.

“They came again yesterday and their girl must be about 5 by now. They take a photo each year with their little girl.”

Hori Te Pa said being able to pick your own produce was appealing because people could spend time with loved ones and reconnect with nature.

Helping to create a charming and lively atmosphere, her brother-in-law Ricky Heihei also sang waiata for the pickers on his guitar, and there was a shaded area for people to gather and enjoy fresh fruit ice cream and flowers.

Leading visitors down to the plots is a large driveway that snakes its way through the rural property and past a shop filled with jovial ladies packing berries into containers.

People are encouraged to “meander” through the crops, eat their first couple of strawberries for free, then fill a 1kg container with their juicy finds for $20.

Hori Te Pa said this year had been particularly busy with 2000 people stopping by in one day.

“For the next two days these plots will take a rest to replenish.”

The farm grew its berries outdoors, unlike many other growers who had turned to hydroponics, she said.

“We really are unique…and we are really lucky, we are on A1 soil and we have really good plants.

“It’s a lot easier to have people here being outdoors too.”

Many of the visitors are escaping the bigger cities like Wellington and Palmerston North, and it is also a destination for overseas visitors too.

Trant Tang was visiting from the capital with her partner and parents.

They had travelled to several continents and throughout the United States and were visiting New Zealand for two weeks.

Tang said her mum and dad wanted to compare the quality of strawberries, but noted when picking at the farms in America you could take as many as you wanted for free.

“They wanted to experience picking up the strawberries and seeing the difference.”

For information on pick-your-own days, visit Shirley’s Strawberries on Facebook.