It was November when I went to Baguio. I stayed in Barangay Cruz in La Trinidad, just 3o minutes away from Baguio City. The place I rented was overlooking the strawberry farms but my land lady said there were no strawberries at this time of the year. The plants tend to be frozen especially when December is approaching as the temperature drops between 13-15 degrees celcius.
I went there anyway. I walked about 30-45 minutes in a slope, passed by La Trinidad Municipal Hall and Benguet State University. I was speaking to one of the farmers and he said they plant just in time for Panagbenga, a month-long Flower Festival in Baguio in February. It’ll take 3 months before they can harvest the fruits. For strawberries to grow abundantly weather condition should be not too cold nor too hot. Once they harvest the fruits they’d prepare the land to plant again.
The land is owned by Benguet State University. A portion of the 79 hectares of the land is leased to the farmers to cultivate and plant mostly strawberries. During off season farmers plant vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage and some flowering plants where they sell to visitors.
How to commute from Baguio
- There is a jeepney terminal close to the public market and jeepneys along Baguio City Hall. Take the ones going to Benguet or La Trinidad and ask the driver to drop you off in front of Benguet State University. The commute is approximately 30 minutes. Cross the street and walk for about 100 meters to the farm.
- Or you may easily take a cab going to the strawberry farms.
As a child, my family used to spend a lot of time in Baguio and I always look forward to this activity! I remember the first time I saw the strawberry fields – they’re beautiful and it’s always embedded in my memories. I wish to come back someday. Thanks for sharing, Gwen!