Why Bayfield Strawberries Taste So Sweet
Bayfield has long been known for its orchards, berry farms, and fresh-picked fruit, but there is something especially memorable about a Bayfield strawberry. Juicy, sweet, and full of flavor, these berries are a true taste of summer on the peninsula.
Visitors can find fresh-picked strawberries, or pick their own, at Erickson Orchards and Country Store and North Wind Organic Farm along Bayfield’s Fruit Loop.
“When you take a ripe Bayfield strawberry and bite into it, it is so juicy and sweet that it runs down your chin,” said Brenda Erickson of Rocky Acres Berry Farm. “There’s no comparison.”
Brenda’s family has grown strawberries for more than 60 years, and she knows firsthand how much care goes into every berry.
“Strawberries are the most popular berry, but they are also the most labor-intensive,” Erickson said.
Unlike some perennial crops that remain in production for many years, strawberry fields require constant attention. Growers typically plant a field, use it for about two years, and then plow it under and replant. That’s because strawberry plants send out small “baby” plants. As the rows become more crowded, the berries get smaller and weeds begin to take over.
The work begins shortly after planting in the spring. Within a week to 10 days, the fields need to be weeded by hand. Throughout the season, the plants require fertilizer, pest and disease management, watering, mowing, and mulch. Even after harvest, there is still work to do to prepare the field for the next season.
Due to workforce challenges, Rocky Acres is shifting its focus from strawberries to raspberries and blueberries. Erickson plans to let her strawberry fields go “feral” and see what nature does next.
Other Bayfield-area growers are helping meet the demand. Erickson Orchards and Country Store recently planted two more acres of strawberries, which means the farm expects to have five acres of strawberries by the summer of 2027.
At North Wind Organic Farm, Tom Galazen grows a half-acre of strawberries, with pre-picked berries available at the farm stand. Galazen said the 2026 season is off to a decent start and agreed that strawberries are, by far, the most popular berry he grows.
What Makes Bayfield Strawberries Different?
According to Erickson, one of the biggest reasons Bayfield fruit is so flavorful comes down to temperature.
“What creates sugar in fruit is inconsistent temperatures,” Erickson said.
Warm summer days followed by cool nights help fruit develop natural sugars. On the Bayfield Peninsula, temperatures might reach 75 or 80 degrees during the day and then drop significantly at night. That shift helps create the sweetness that makes locally grown fruit stand out.
Store-bought strawberries may be larger and bright red on the outside, but Erickson said they often lack the same flavor and texture. Bayfield strawberries, by contrast, are known for their sweetness, juiciness, and fresh-picked quality.
Bayfield strawberries remain a cherished part of the area’s agricultural story. They represent the hard work of local growers, the peninsula’s unique growing conditions, and the simple joy of biting into a berry that tastes like summer.
Click below for the berry farm and orchard report for the latest fruit available in Bayfield's Fruit Loop.
Click here to see what Bayfield fruits are in season!
