2024 Southern Piedmont area of North Carolina Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org
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Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Southern Piedmont area of North Carolina in 2024, by county
Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for strawberries that we know of in this area.
Not all areas of a state have strawberries 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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Harnett County
Cottle Farms, Inc. - Strawberries Hwy 421, Dunn, NC 28334. Phone: (919) 892-4248. Open: Sunday 1 pm to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday 8 am to 7 pm. Directions: Located on Hwy 421 between Dunn & Erwin. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (910) 267-4531 Crop availability: - April-June.
Farmer's Strawberries & Produce - Beans, Cabbage, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Onions, Potatoes 209 Holder Road, Lillington, NC 27546. Phone: (910) 893-6076. Open: Sunday-Saturday Call for hours & availability. Directions: Located 4 miles west of Lillington on Hwy 27. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (910) 893-3623Sunday-Saturday (Call for hours & availability.). Crop availability: Strawberries - April-May Squash - April Onions, Snaps, Tomatoes, Potatoes & Cabbage - April-June.
Johnson Strawberry Farm - Strawberries, Watermelon, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Corn, Onions, Potatoes, Squash, 2801 Hobson Road 301 North, Dunn, NC 28334. Phone: 910-892-4926. Email: bjohnsonstrawberriefarm@yahoo.com. Open: Monday to Saturday 7 am to 7 pm. Directions: Located one mile north of Dunn on Hwy 301. Click here for a map and directions. Johnson Strawberry Farm Phone: (910) 892-9711Crop availability: Strawberries & Squash - April-June Irish Potatoes - April-May Corn - June Cantaloupes - June-July Watermelon - July Cabbage & Onions - May-June.
Lee County
Barry's Strawberry Farm - Asparagus, Cabbage, Onions, Strawberries 4014 Cox Mill Road, Sanford, NC 27332. Phone: (919) 258-3606. Email: bwharrington@alltel.net. Open: Sunday 1 pm to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday 8 am to 7 pm. Click here for a map and directions. Barry's Strawberry Farm Phone: (919) 258-3571Crop availability: Strawberries & Asparagus - April-June Cabbage & Onions - May-JuneAt US 421 & NC 87 split south of Sanford, take US 421 south toward Lillington, take a right at the second crossroad (Cox Mill Road), farm is .5 mile on the left.
Douglas' Strawberry Patch - Strawberries 123 Johnson Cemetary Road, Sanford, NC 27332. Phone: (919) 499-9391. Open: Monday to Saturday 7:30 am to 6 pm. Directions: Located Hwy 87 south from Sanford, 2 miles past Carolina Trace on the left in Olivia. . Click here for a map and directions. Douglas' Strawberry Patch Phone: (919) 353-2399 Crop availability: .
Gary Thomas Farms - Asparagus, Beans, Blackberry, Corn, Cucumber, Greenhouse Tomatoes, Greenhouse Vegetables, Jellies, Jams, Onions, Strawberries 443 Thomas Road, Sanford, NC 27330. Phone: (919) 258-3035. Open: Sunday 1 pm to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday 7 am to 7 pm. Directions: Located off Hwy 42 East towards Broadway, go one mile turn left on Rice Toad at East Lee Middle School, one half mile on right is Thomas Road, one half mile on left is Gary Thomas Strawberries. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (919) 258-3262 Crop availability: Strawberries, Sweet Onions, Greenhouse Tomatoes & Cucumbers - mid April-June Asparagus - late April-mid May Green Beans & Sweet Corn - June-early July Blackberries - June-July. Homemade jam & jelly. website.
Gross Farms, LLC - asparagus, beans, corn (sweet), cucumbers, melons, onions, peas, peaches, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, strawberries, other vegetables, Honey from hives on the farm, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, school tours 1606 Pickett Road, Sanford, NC 27332. Phone: 919-498-6727. Email: info@grossfarms.com. Open: Mid - Late April - End of July on Monday - Saturday from 7:30am to 6 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm. Directions: Gross Farms is conveniently located 4 miles south of Sanford, NC on NC 87. From Raleigh: Take US 1 south to Sanford. Take NC 87 South for approximately 8 miles. Turn left onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 12 mile on the left. From Sanford: Take NC 87 South for approximately 4 miles. Turn left onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 12 mile on the left. From Fayetteville: Take NC 87 North for approximately 25 miles. Turn right onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 12 mile on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard. Gross Farms, LLC Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 919-499-4522Fax: 919-498-6731 Gross Farms is conveniently located 4 miles south of Sanford, NC on NC 87. From Raleigh: Take US 1 south to Sanford. Take NC 87 South for approximately 8 miles. Turn left onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 1/2 mile on the left. From Sanford: Take NC 87 South for approximately 4 miles. Turn left onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 1/2 mile on the left. From Fayetteville: Take NC 87 North for approximately 25 miles. Turn right onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 1/2 mile on the leftStrawberries: Mid-late April to end of May Asparagus: late April and May Sweet Corn: late June and July Pumpkins: late September and October Comments from a visitor on September 21, 2012: "Loved it. Great for military families (they offer discount!) and the little ones really enjoyed picking their own pumpkin and the playground!"
Harrington Farms - Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Collards, Corn, Greens, Potatoes, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Onions 1412 San Lee Drive, Sanford, NC 27330. Phone: (919) 775-4242. Open: UPDATE for 2021, Once again Harrington & Sons Farms has made a difficult decision and will not be growing any strawberries or produce in 2021; We appreciate all of our customers and business through the years; Please keep us in mind for the future, in a normal year, hours are Sunday 1 pm to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday 7 am to 7 pm. Directions: Located at Central Carolina Community College, go past to stop sign, left 14 mile, field is on left. Click here for a map and directions. Harrington Farms Phone: (919) 776-6730 Located at Central Carolina Community College, go past to stop sign, left 1/4 mile, field is on left. From Sanford, San Lee Drive to 1412 San Lee Drive. Follow signs. Crop availability: Strawberries, Onions, Cabbage, Potatoes, Broccoli & Asparagus - April-June Tomatoes - March-July Corn & Cantaloupe - July Greens - September- December Collards - November- December.
Logan Farms - Corn, Strawberries, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes 110 Logan Farm Lane, Sanford, NC 27330. Phone: (919) 776-1898. Open: Monday to Saturday 7:30 am to 8 pm; April- December. Directions: Located halfway between Sanford and Siler City on Hwy 421 across Deep River at Gulf, one mile on North Plank Road, right on Logan Farm Lane. Click here for a map and directions. Logan Farms Phone: (919) 776-2277 Crop availability: Strawberries - May Sweet Corn - July Tomatoes - July-September Sweet Potatoes - August-October Bedding & Vegetable plants - April-October.
McNeill Farms - Broccoli, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Corn, Onions, Squash, Strawberries, Watermelon 5948 Lemon Springs Road, Sanford, NC 27332. Phone: (919) 774-1085. Open: Tuesday to Saturday 8 am to 6 pm. Click here for a map and directions. McNeill Farms From US 1 take Hwy 78, 3 miles east turn right on Lemon Springs Road go 3.5 miles to farm on right. From Lemon Springs 1 one half miles on Lemon Springs Road. Crop availability: Strawberries - April 15-June 15 Sweet Corn - July-September Cabbage, Broccoli & Onions - May-June 10 Okra - July-August Beans & Squash - June-August 1 Watermelon & Cantaloupe - June-September
Moore County
Carter Farms - Strawberries 673 Eagle Springs Road, Eagle Springs, NC 27242. Phone: (910) 673-7730. Open: April 15-June 1; Call for hours and availability. Directions: Located on 673 Eagle Springs Road one half mile from Hwy 211 in Eagle Springs. Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (910) 673-2666 Crop availability: - April-June Sweet Potatoes - August-November.
Frank's Strawberries, Sweet Corn & Vegetable Barn - Beans, Cabbage, Corn, Potatoes, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Vegetables 444 Bryant Road, Carthage, NC 28327. Phone: (910) 947-5775. Open: Sunday and Saturday from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm. Click here for a map and directions. Strawberries - April 16-June 20 Cabbage - April 16-May 15 Beets - June 15-July 15 Squash - May 15-Oct 1 Sweet Corn, Butterbeans, Green beans, Okra & Peas June-Oct 1 Melons - June 15-September 10 Tomatoes & Potatoes - June 15-October 1Located 6 miles east of Carthage on Hwy 15/501 to Tony Gas & Grocery Store, turn on Bryant Road 1/2 mile to strawberry barn and parking lot (UPDATED: June 15, 2019, JBS)
Karefree Produce - blueberries, grapes, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs 4680 US 15-501 Hwy, Carthage, NC 28327. Phone: 910-690-6722. Email: info@karefreeproduce.com. Open: STRAWBERRY SEASON JUNE THRU DECEMBER Monday-Saturday 8am to 6pm Tuesday-Friday 9am to 5 pm; Sunday CLOSED Saturday 9:00 to 3 pm; Sunday & Monday CLOSED. Directions: From Hardees in Carthage take highway 15-501 South. Travel 1 12 miles and farm will be on the left just passed Quality Mart. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Karefree Produce Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 910-639-4971 From Hardees in Carthage take highway 15-501 South. Travel 1 1/2 miles and farm will be on the left just passed Quality Mart Strawberries: April 01 to June 01 Pumpkins: October 01 to December 01 Christmas Trees: Thanksgiving to Christmas EveWe try to grow everything that we sell to insure that we offer locally grown produce. We buy from local farmers the items that we cannot grow such as orchard fruits. We close our farm on Christmas and re-open March 01 because our growing season does not extend into those months in this area. We also sell our tomatoes and strawberries to the Fresh Markets in Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, and Greensboro.
Olde Carthage Farm - Certified Organic, blackberries, blueberries, flowers, table grapes (with seeds), Muscadines, grapes, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, picnic area you may bring your own food, school tours 2270 US Highway 15 501, Carthage, NC 28327. Phone: (919) 353-0179. Email: oldecarthagefarm@gmail.com. Open: Call for hours; Subject to season and weather. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Olde Carthage Farm Facebook page. We are a small family owned and operated organic farm currently offering strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, grapes, tomatoes and flowers. We will pick them for you or you can spend some time with us picking your own. We currently have strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, Muscadine grapes, tomatoes, and flowers. We use no pesticides, no herbicides and if there's a weed, we have to bend over and pull it by hand. We do things the hard way..the right way. (UPDATED: July 22, 2021) (ADDED: June 15, 2017, JBS)
Pilson Strawberry Farm - Strawberries 1175 Cranes Creek Road, Cameron, NC 28326. Phone: (910) 245-7364. Directions: Located on US 1 Hwy between Cameron and Vass #1888, 3 miles south of overhead bridge at Cameron on US 1 Hwy. . Click here for a map and directions. Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 7:30 am to 'til sold out. Crop availability: - mid April-early June.
Ring's Strawberry Farm - Strawberries, Vegetables 1843 Airport Road, Lakeview, NC 28350. Phone: (910) 949-2657. Open: 7:30 am to noon; late April-end of season; Call for days. Directions: Located on Airport Road 1843, 1.5 miles west of Lakeview, 2.5 miles east of airport. North of Carthage on NC 15-501. Turn right on Bryant Road 12 mile on right. . Click here for a map and directions. Located on Airport Road 1843, 1.5 miles west of Lakeview, 2.5 miles east of airport. North of Carthage on NC 15-501. Turn right on Bryant Road 1/2 mile on right Crop availability: Strawberries & Vegetables - in season.
Richmond County
Berry Patch - Greenhouse Tomatoes, Onions, Strawberries 351 Cargo Road, Ellerbe, NC 28338. Phone: (910)652-FARM. Open: Daily from 8 am to 8 pm. Directions: Located 5 miles south of Ellerbe and 5 miles north of Rockingham on Hwy 220. Click here for a map and directions. Exit 25, Hwy 220, I-73/74,. Crop availability: Strawberries, Spring Onions & Greenhouse Tomatoes - April-June.
Mabe's Strawberries - Strawberries, blueberries 104 Mabe Lane, Ellerbe, NC 28338. Phone: (910) 652-5656. Open: Every day from 8 am to 8 pm or until picked out; We open at 8 am and at that time, we start taking orders for prepicked berries. Directions: Located 2.5 miles north of Ellerbe on Hwy 220. Crop availability: Strawberries - April-June. . Click here for a map and directions. Mabe's Strawberries Facebook page. Every day from 8 am to 8 pm (or until picked out); We open at 8 am and at that time, we start taking orders for prepicked berries. PLEASE place your order before driving to the farm to assure you get some of Mabe's finest! For pick-your-own, call ahead to check field conditions and weather before driving out
Wilson's Strawberries - Beans, Cantaloupe, Corn, Strawberries, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Watermelon 303 Gold Leaf Farm Road, Ellerbe, NC 28338. Phone: (910) 652-5604. Open: Sunday to Saturday 7 am to 7 pm. Directions: Located on Hwy 1003, 6 miles north of Hoffman, 2 miles south of Derby on Sycamore Lane 2 miles from Derby. . Click here for a map and directions. Crop availability: Strawberries - April-June Watermelon & Cantaloupes - July-August Sweet Corn, Green Beans & Butterbeans - June-July Field Peas - June-September Okra & Tomatoes - July-September Sweet Potatoes - October-March
Scotland County
Fontcol Farms - strawberries 23800 Airbase Rd, Wagram, NC 28396. Phone: (910) 318-2015. Email: jpembrick@laurinburgexchange.com. Open: UPDATE for 2021, The owner tells me they are closed indefinitely Strawberries start in early April; Always check the Fontcol Farms Facebook page before visiting the farm. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash only. Fontcol Farms Inclement weather updates and other announcements will be posted online. Grab a bucket, choose a row and start picking! In 2019, Pre-picked flats are for sale at $3.00/lb. U-pick is also available at $1.75/lb. Personal containers welcomeStrawberry season is upon us! is happy to announce that the season will begin on in mid-April. Here are a few things to consider before visiting the farm: All PEOPLE are welcome! Please leave pets at home! No animals will be allowed in the gates this yearChildren may not be left unattended- this includes inside vehicles, in the sitting areas or anywhere else on the farm. We are a fire arm and tobacco free environment and do not allow smoking or vaping of any kind on the property. Customers with fire arms or tobacco will be asked to kindly leave the farm. Personal containers and baskets are welcome! In 2021, Pre-picked flats were for sale at $3.00/lb and U-pick berries were available for $1.75/lb. Call ahead orders larger than three $15 flats MUST be made 24 hours in advance Current weather - click for forecast, or enter a zip code for a different location:
Strawberry
Strawberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information
In the U.S. strawberries typically peak during April in Florida and Texas,
May in the deep South, and in early June in middle sections and later June in the
far North and Canada. Keep in mind that crops are ready at various times of the
month depending on which part of the state you are located. In order to produce
good local strawberries, producers depend on ideal spring weather conditions.
Before you leave to go to the farm:
Always call before you go to the farm - strawberries are affected by weather
(both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. And when they are
in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL
first!
Leave
early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
Most growers furnish picking containers designed
for strawberries, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring
containers.
If you use your own containers, remember that heaping
strawberries more than 5 inches deep will bruise the lower berries.
Plastic
dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good
containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
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, but some deet might be good to bring
along if it has been rainy.
Tips on How to Pick Strawberries
Grasp the stem just above the berry between the
forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.
With the stem broken about one-half inch from
the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.
Repeat these operations using both hands until
each holds 3 or 4 berries.
Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into
your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
Don't overfill your containers or try to pack
the berries down.
General Picking Tips
Whether you pick strawberries from your garden or at
a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Be careful that your feet and knees do not
damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of the row.
Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part
the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.
To help the farmers, also remove from the plants
berries showing rot, sunburn, insect injury or other defects and place them
between the rows behind you. If they are left in the plants, the rot will
quickly spread to other berries.
Berries to be used immediately may be picked any
time, but if you plan to hold the fruit for a few days, try to pick in the
early morning or on cool, cloudy days. Berries picked during the heat of the
day become soft, are easily bruised and will not keep well.
Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunshine 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. Strawberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three, depending upon the initial quality of the berry. After a few
days in storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor
and tends to shrivel.
For interesting and fun strawberry facts and
trivia from the California Strawberry Commission,
click
here!
When you get home
DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them. Washing
makes them more prone to spoiling.
Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting
berries
Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the caps
(green tops) off the others and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make
jam right away) See this
page about how to freeze strawberries.
If you like the strawberries you picked, ask the farm what variety they
planted, and not the weather conditions the week or two before. The flavor
of a strawberry is affected by the variety, the weather and the degree of
ripeness when picked.
Picking the best strawberries:
Select firm, fully red berries. Strawberries DO NOT continue ripen after
they are picked! In the photo, only the berry on the far right is
completely ripe.
Strawberry festivals: Most areas that grow strawberries have a strawberry festival, at which you
can taste all kinds of fresh strawberry foods, pies, jams, cakes - and most
commonly, fresh strawberry shortcake. To find out where and when there
is one near you, see this
page for a list of strawberry festivals, sorted by state!
Strawberries measurements: government agriculture
websites tell us that 1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups and is about the
same as 1 liter and 1 quart of fresh strawberries weighs 1 lbs to 1.25 lbs (or
450 to 600 g).
Of course, the weight
varies on variety and weather conditions. 1 quart is normally
enough for 4
servings, although I'll admit my son can eat 1 pint by himself!
How much to pick? In general, 1 quart of fresh, whole, just-picked strawberries =
approximately 3.5 cups hulled, whole berries. In other words, removing
the caps/hulls and the occasional mushy berry means you lose 1/4 cup to 1/2 (it depends how much fruit you remove with the hull) or
about 7 to 12% of every quart you pick.
One cup of strawberries contains only about 50 calories
U-pick strawberries are much healthier than store-bought. Consumer
reports says store bought strawberries have so many pesticide and fungicide
residues on they, that they don't recommend you eat them at all!
U-pick strawberry farms typically sell berries by the
pound. 1 lbs of fresh strawberries is about 2/3 of a quart.
It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to pick a quart, if the berries
are reasonably plentiful
The strawberry plant adapts to wide variety of soil conditions, but does
not tolerate drought well, and the berries quickly rot if the weather is
rainy. For this reason, the plants are usually grown on raised beds through
plastic mulch!
Cultivation of strawberries began in Europe in the 1300's, but the berry
only became very popular in the early 1900's in California.
Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase
as strawberries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a
couple of days in the refrigerator.
You can easily freeze berries that you cannot use right away - just
wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much
air as possible. Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of
this! The berries will keep for many months frozen without air.
Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.
Strawberries were originally called strewberries because the fruit was
'strewn' amongst the leaves of the plant.
California is king of strawberry productions because: California
produces 75 percent of the nation's strawberry crops; one billion pounds
of strawberries each year. If all the strawberries produced in
California in one year were laid berry to berry, they would go around
the world 15 times. Each acre of land in California in strawberry
production produces an average of 21 tons of strawberries annually, with
a total of 23,000 acres of strawberries planted in California each year.
More conversions
1 pint (2 cups) of fresh whole strawberries
= about 8 oz (1/2 lb) of strawberries
= 2.25 cups of sliced strawberries
= 1
cup pureed strawberries
= 12-14 large strawberries
2 quarts of fresh strawberries are needed for a 9" pie
A 10 oz package of frozen berries is about the same as 1 cup of sliced
fresh strawberries