2024 The Shenandoah Valley of Virginia Pumpkin U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pumpkin U-Pick Orchards in The Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in 2024, by county

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

Not all areas of a state have pumpkins 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.

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Augusta County

• Middle River Farms - Uses integrated pest management practices, pumpkins, strawberries, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, school tours
  1744 Weyers Cave Road, Grottoes, VA 24442. Phone: 540-249-5430. Email: info@middleriverfarms.com. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Middle River Farms Alternate Phone: 540-607-0851. UPDATE for 2021, I see no mention of pyo crops (other then pumpkins) on their Facebook page in years, so I assume they have discontinued U-pick; I've asked but have not year heard back from the farm; Strawberry Season: 7:30 am through 7 pm or until picked out, Monday through SaturdayStrawberries: Mid May through Mid June Pumpkins and Corn Maze: Mid September through October 31. We use integrated pest management practices
  Comments from a visitor on July 24, 2015: According to the farm's website (and the locals), As of 4/22/15, they are no longer continuing the strawberry portion of their business. They will be operating (and expanding) their pumpkin portion of the farm instead.

Rockingham County

• Hopkins Gap Produce - strawberries, pumpkins, Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked
  3788 Hopkins Gap Road, Rockingham, VA 22802. Phone: (540) 867-0651. Email: solomurray95@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 7 pm; May 10 through June 10 approximately, call before coming to ensure they have strawberries to pick, and it is weather dependent so they may not have PYO every day. Directions: From Harrisonburg: take Route 33 West 1.5 miles past Hinton. Turn right on Whitmore Shop Road \(Rt 613\). Follow 4 miles to stop sign. Turn left on Hopkins Gap Road \(Rt 763\). We are the first driveway on the right in 14 miles. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . .Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 7 pm; May 10 through June 10 (approximately), call before coming to ensure they have strawberries to pick, and it is weather dependent so they may not have PYO every day. The 2021 price of berries is $2.50/lb PYO or $20/gal pre-pickedFrom Harrisonburg: take Route 33 West 1.5 miles past Hinton. Turn right on Whitmore Shop Road (Rt 613). Follow 4 miles to stop sign. Turn left on Hopkins Gap Road (Rt 763). We are the first driveway on the right in 1/4 milesStrawberry season is early May through early June;(UPDATED: June 04, 2021) (ADDED: May 13, 2017)

 

Pumpkin

Pumpkin Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Do you want it for a party, decoration or eating?

For a wedding or party:

See this page: Finding pumpkins for weddings

Decoration to paint or carve:

OK, Then you need only look for any pumpkin that is

• visually appealing, evenly a deep orange. The shape is just whatever appeals to you. If it grew on its side and has a flat spot, you can either make that the make or use it as part of your design!
• free from cuts, soft spots, bruises. The flesh should feel hard, and not give easily. Infections can invade easily and cause rot
• Make sure the stem is attached.

Store it carefully, especially if you pick it from the vine yourself. Cure a fresh-picked pumpkin by keeping it in a dry place. Don't handle or disturb it. Curing toughens the rind, making it less prone to rot. Pumpkins will keep for months in a cool (50 F to 65F dry, low humidity environment; such as a cool, dry basement.

Tip: If you like roasted or baked pumpkin seeds, you can save the seeds from any pumpkin!

To make a pumpkin pie!

Then you need a small, sweet type of pumpkin that has been developed for eating. They are smaller, typically about 8" to 10" diameter. The meat is much less stringy and smoother than a decorative pumpkin variety. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A and potassium. One-half cup of cooked pumpkin provides more than the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. One cup of cooked pumpkin contains only 81 calories. It's low in fat and sodium! Usually you can get these at the grocery store, and some of the pumpkin patches and farm stands have them. Be sure to tell them that you intend to use it for a pumpkin pie. Again, look for firm, no soft spots, or signs of any rot. See this page for easy, illustrated directions to make a pumpkin pie from a fresh pumpkin!

Varieties of Pumpkins

• Sugar - Excellent for baking
• Jack O'Lantern - most common for carving
• White Lumina - unusual, medium-sized white pumpkin
• Mini - Great for decoration
• Gourds - Many varieties, used for decorations

For a very complete, detailed list of many varieties of pumpkins and where to get the seeds, see this page!

Want to Grow Your Own Pumpkins?

Then see this page!

Pumpkin recipes

• How to prepare cooked pumpkin from a fresh pumpkin (for use in all the recipes)
• Illustrated instructions to make a pumpkin pie from a fresh pumpkin - the best pumpkin pie you will ever taste! (metric version for the UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, etc.)
• How to home-can pumpkin (in a cooked, cubed form) and why you shouldn't home-can the pureed forms.
• Traditional Pumpkin Pie
• Chocolate pumpkin pie
• Pumpkin Spice Muffins
• Pumpkin muffins
• Pumpkin Bread
• Pumpkin Butter!
• Pumpkin cheesecake - INCREDIBLE!!! You have to try this one!
• Pumpkin Cookies
• Pumpkin soup - even if you normally aren't a soup lover; you will love this one.
• Butternut-Chestnut Panchetta-Bacon Soup - Pumpkin or Butternut squash combines with chestnuts and bacon, ham or panchetta in this great soup
• Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
• No Sugar Pumpkin Pie
• Apple Cider Doughnut Recipe (with maple glaze or sugar glaze)

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