The sweetest season is here and that means strawberries: big, red and juicy and ready to be enjoyed.

There are plenty of local ones and a handful of places to pick your own. But Schartner Farms in Exeter won't be one of them this year after their whole crop for picking was lost to Japanese beetle grubs. They do still have local strawberries for sale at the farm and at local farmers' markets; just no patch for picking.

Here's a list of some pick- your- own strawberry farms. We called ahead and this group is ready for you to come and pick.

Dame Farm, Brown Avenue, Johnston, (401) 949-3657.
Salisbury Farm, 11 Peck Hill Rd., Johnston, (401) 942-9741.
Sweet Berry Farm, 19 Third Beach Rd., Middletown, (401) 847-3912.
Quonset View Farm, 895 Middle Rd., Portsmouth, (401) 683-1254.
Four Town Farm, 90 George St., Seekonk, (508) 336-5587.
Jaswell Farm, 50 Swan Rd., Smithfield, (401) 231-9043.
Tikkanen Berry Farm, 218 Calvin French Rd., Sterling, Conn., (860) 774-0177.

Goodwin Brothers, Providence Pike and Greenville Road, North Smithfield, has strawberries at their farm stand but they won't be ready for picking until June 18 or 19. Call first (401) 765-0368.

There are more farms extending into Southeastern Massachusetts on Farmfresh.org and you can see that list here but call first.