2024 Tampa area, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, west Florida Pepper U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pepper U-Pick Orchards in Tampa area, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, west Florida in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for peppers that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have peppers farms that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

New! We just went live with our latest website, FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings, Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

Hillsborough County

• Big Bear Farms, Inc - ORGANIC, beans, blueberries, broad beans, carrots, corn (sweet), eggplants, okra, onions, peas, peppers, summer squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, Other fruit or veg, prepicked produce, restrooms
  7606 Kinard Road, Plant City, FL 33565. Phone: 813-986-1152. Email: bigbearfarms@verizon.net. Open: crops available, days and hours vary with the season; Please check on our website or call for current days and times. Directions: From Tampa take I-4 East to Exit 14 \(Mcintosh Road \) Turn Left \(North\) on Mcintosh and go under overpass to first road on Right. Turn Right on Gore Road and take curve to Left where road turns into Gallagher Road Travel North on Gallagher to Kinard Road on Right. NOT Kinard Cove. Turn Right on Kinard Road and farm is 14 mile on Right. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Fax: From Tampa take I-4 East to Exit 14 (Mcintosh Road ) Turn Left (North) on Mcintosh and go under overpass to first road on Right. Turn Right on Gore Road and take curve to Left where road turns into Gallagher Road Travel North on Gallagher to Kinard Road on Right. NOT Kinard Cove. Turn Right on Kinard Road and farm is 1/4 mile on RightCrops are usually available in March, April, May, June, July, October, November, December. We are certified organic for all crops! Cabbage, Collards, Mustard, Turnips, Lettuce, Spinach, Okra. Big Bear Farms, Inc. is a family owned and operated Certified ORGANIC Fruit and Vegetable farm. We operate under the strict rules of the USDA - National Organic Program (NOP) and are certified by Quality Certification Services (QCS). Unlike many farms that only claim to be organic we are the REAL DEAL and have the documents proudly on display to prove it. Why buy imported fruit and vegetables from unregulated countries that have been sprayed with all types of banned chemicals when you can have better at lower prices.Not only do we supply the commercial market with blueberries, we also take pride in our ability to provide the individual local public comsumer with that personal touch in the growing, processing and packing that they deserve in supplying the needs of their families. (UPDATED: July 28, 2010, by phone)
• Hydro Harvest Farms - Uses integrated pest management practices, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, eggplants, herbs or spices, onions, peas, peppers, summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, Other fruit or veg, U-pick and already picked, farm market, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, school tours
  1101 E Shell Point Rd, Ruskin, FL 33570. Phone: 813-645-6574. Email: terrie@hydroharvestfarms.com. Open: In March 2021, their website says "U-Pick Farm is Temporarily Closed We want everyone to stay safe and we will get through this" normally, Monday through Saturday 10 am to 5: Sunday 11 am to 4; June through August hours differ so please check our website for more info. Directions: Take I 75 to Exit 240, Ruskin. Go west and at second light turn right \(21 street east\). Go to stop sign \(Shell Point Road E\), turn left. farm will be 12 mile on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, SFMNP Vouchers.
  Hydro Harvest Farms Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 941-915-7208 Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesTake I 75 to Exit 240, Ruskin. Go west and at second light turn right (21 street east). Go to stop sign (Shell Point Road E), turn left. farm will be 1/2 mile on the leftWe have many seasonal crops all year round, to pick; Strawberries are usually ready starting in December and go through May We have free Hydroponic Growing Classes, Canning Classes, Halloween Boo Fest Even (see our website for this year's date in October)), Santa at the Farm, Easter Eggstravaganza Event; Sign up for our weekly email for updates on what is picking and what free events we have; The sign up info is on our website. We use integrated pest management practicesis a hydroponic vertical growing farm. We use no pesticides, very little water, 1/6 the land and teach families, schools and businesses how to do this themselves. We have a great Grant Website for School Gardens. We have school field trips and a nice picnic area to make a nice day of picking.If you are coming to pick your own, we use no GMO, we supply the baskets and scissors if you need them, you don't have to bend to pick, the farm is covered for easy mobility and best of all we love pets!.
• Martinez Farms - Hot peppers, squash, tomatoes
  2619 14th Ave. SE, Ruskin, FL 33570. Phone: (813) 918-3090. Email: alfarms2013@gmail.com. Open: Call for availability and days of operation. Click here for a map and directions.

 

Pepper

Pepper Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

There are various types of peppers based on their characteristics. It's important to note that pepper heat levels can vary, and individual tolerance to spiciness may differ. When using hot peppers, exercise caution and consider using gloves or washing hands thoroughly to avoid skin or eye irritation.

• Sweet Peppers - like Bell Peppers and Banana Pepper , used in salads and sandwiches
• Mild to Medium Heat Peppers - spicy, good for salsa.
  
• Hot Peppers - Often used in Mexican and Thais foods
  
• Very Hot Peppers - For crazy people...

See the table at the bottom of his page for detailed information and a master list of varieties.

When are peppers available?

Peppers are a hot weather crop, and cannot tolerate frost and cold soil. In the U.S. Peppers typically peak hot summer months into the Autumn.

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - it's hard to pick in a muddy field!
2. Most growers furnish picking containers (bags), but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
3. Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem while the weather is still cool, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

General Picking Tips

Whether you pick Peppers from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Look for Peppers that are :

1. firm
2. Bright and shiny
3. smooth, shiny pods, not wrinkly on the surface - that's an old or dried out
4. Avoid placing the picked Peppers in the sunlight any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking. I prefer to bring a cooler with ice in it. Peppers may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for a week or 2.

When you get home

1. Put them in the vegetable crisper in the fridge, in a loose plastic bag.
2. Now, get ready to can or freeze the extra Peppers - It is VERY easy! Click on the links for easy instructions.
   • How to freeze peppers
   • How to can peppers (removing the skins)- P
   • How to can peppers (leaving the skins on) - P
   • Pickled peppers - W, P
   • How to can Hot peppers in oil - W
   • Jalapeno pepper jelly
   • Pepper Jelly, hot or sweet, including chilies, jalapeno, and pimiento
   • How to make chili sauce from your own tomatoes and peppers - W
   • Mixed  vegetable pickles (cauliflower, peppers, onions, celery, cucumber mix) - W, P
   • How to make your own roasted peppers!

 

Name	Heat	Photo	Description	Best uses
Bell Pepper	Sweet		Large, blocky peppers with a mild, sweet flavor. They come in different colors such as green, red, yellow, and orange.	Salads and sandwichs They also add sweetness and color to cooked dishes, stir-fries, and stuffed pepper recipes.
Banana Pepper	Sweet		Long and tapered, they have a mild to moderate heat level and a tangy-sweet flavor.	Salads, subs and sandwiches  Frequently used in pickled form, they add tang and crunch to sandwiches, salads, and antipasto platters. They can also be stuffed or sliced for various culinary applications.
Cubanelle Pepper	Sweet		Light green and elongated, they have a mild heat and a slightly sweet taste.
Pimento Pepper	Sweet		Large and heart-shaped, they have a sweet and fruity flavor, often used for stuffing.	Cooking
Poblano Pepper	Medium		Dark green, heart-shaped peppers with a mild to medium heat level and a slightly smoky flavor.	Frequently used in Mexican dishes like chiles rellenos, mole sauce, and salsas. They can be roasted, stuffed, or sliced and added to various recipes.
Shishito Pepper			Small and thin-walled pepper with a mild and slightly sweet taste.	Popular in Japanese cuisine, often enjoyed blistered or charred as an appetizer or side dish. They can also be used in stir-fries, tempura, or stuffed with cheese or other fillings.
Anaheim Pepper	Medium		Mild to medium heat, with a long and narrow shape. They are often used in Southwestern cuisine.	Commonly used in Southwestern and Mexican dishes. They are great for roasting, stuffing, or adding to salsas, chilis, and stews.
Hungarian Wax Pepper	Medium		Medium heat peppers that come in various colors. They have a waxy texture and a tangy flavor.
Chili peppers	Medium			Used in making... wait for it... Chili
Cherry Pepper .	Medium		Small and round, they have a mild to medium heat level and are often used pickled or stuffed	Thai and other Asian cooking
Jalapeño Pepper	Hot Peppers		Medium heat level with a distinctive bright green color and a slightly smoky flavor.	They are commonly used in Mexican cuisine. They add a spicy kick to salsas, guacamole, nachos, and are often used for stuffing or pickling.
Arbol peppers	Hot Peppers
Serrano Pepper	Hot Peppers		Hotter than jalapeños, they have a bright green color and a spicy taste.	Commonly used in salsas and sauces. Adds a spicy heat to salsas, pico de gallo, hot sauces, and other Mexican dishes. They can also be pickled or used to infuse flavor into oils and vinegars.
Cayenne Pepper	Hot Peppers		Thin and elongated, they are known for their fiery heat.	Often used in powdered form as a spice. Often used in powdered form as a spice for adding heat to various dishes. It can be sprinkled over pizzas, used in sauces, or added to spice rubs for grilling or roasting meats.
Thai Bird's Eye Pepper	Hot Peppers		Small and slender, they pack a powerful heat punch.	Commonly used in Thai and Southeast Asian cuisine. Commonly used in Thai and Southeast Asian cuisine. They are perfect for adding heat and flavor to stir-fries, curries, soups, and dipping sauces.
Habanero Pepper	Very hot		One of the hottest peppers, with a fruity flavor and intense heat. Use with caution.	Adds intense spiciness to salsas, hot sauces, marinades, and jerk recipes. Use with caution and in small amounts due to its high heat level.
Scotch Bonnet Pepper	Very hot		Similar to habaneros, they have a tropical fruity flavor and fiery heat.	Commonly used in Caribbean cuisine.
Carolina Reaper	Very hot		One of the hottest peppers in the world, known for its extreme heat. Handle with extreme caution.

 
 

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers