Find a local pick your own farm here!

Pepper U-Pick farms in Cleveland, Akron and northeast Ohio in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick farms for peppers that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have peppers orchards 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.

Ashtabula County

  • Tombstone View Farm - Uses natural growing practices, beans, corn (sweet), grapes, peas, peppers, tomatoes, other vegetables,
    5328 South River Road, Harpersfield, OH 44041. Phone: 216-990-8011. Email: Tombstoneviewfarm@gmail.com. Open: End of August through 2nd week of September for concord grapes. Directions: Interstate 90 to exit 534 Geneva. South on 534 1.9 miles turn left on South River Road to 5328 South River Road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Alternate Phone: 440-417-5251. . We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic.

Lake County

  • Rainbow Farms - strawberries, blackberries, currants, peppers, tomatoes
    2464 Townline Road, Madison, OH 44057. Phone: 440-259-4924. Email: lkrainbowfarms@hotmail.com. Open: June- December, in June pick-your-own strawberries, Monday-Saturday 10 am to 6 pm, in July pick-your-own black and red raspberries, in August-September pick-your-own tomatoes, peppers and raspberries. Click here for a map and directions. . . Prepicked beans, beets, black raspberries, blackberries, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, cucumbers, eggplant, greens, herbs, melons, peas, peppers, pumpkins, red raspberries, squash, strawberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, watermelon, zucchini. We also participate in farmer's markets in Shaker Heights, Willoughby and Painsville.
    Comments from a visitor on July 21, 2009: "The people here are so friendly. The strawberries are delicious and they're very organized so you are not picking in a row someone else has already picked. I have also picked raspberries, blackberries and tomatoes here. I love going to - no matter how busy they are they still have a smile and a produce tip for you."Comment from a visitor: "I love this farm! The family is great, very personable! Very good strawberry picking, neat, clean,well as clean as berry picking can be! Go and visit this farm!"
  • Rocks farm - Chile Peppers 250 Kinds sweet to Atomic Ghost peppers
    10935 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland, OH 44094. Phone: 440-256-3630. Open: 9 to 6, seven days a week. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . $4.00/lb.

Lorain County

  • Fitch's Farm Market - pumpkins and pick-your-own strawberries, tomatoes, peppers and beans.
    4413 Center Road (State Route 83), Avon, OH 44011. Phone: 440-934-6125. Open: May-October Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 7 pm, Saturday 9:30 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11:30 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. . Strawberries (already-picked & U-pick, early June)Beans (already picked & U-pick, mid June), Many Peppers and Tomatoes. We have the below for Pick Your Own: Round Tomatoes, Roma Tomatoes (Plum), Green Bell Peppers, Long Green Italian Roaster Peppers (Sheppard), Medium Hot Peppers, Jalapeno, Habanero, Cayenne, Ghost, Thai Chili Peppers (1/2 peck minimum). Poblano Peppers, Hot Banana Peppers. Each is a half bushel minimum (except ones noted) and like all pick your own, it is weather permitting. If you have further questions, fell free to call (

Portage County

  • Walnut Drive Gardens - beans, black raspberries, peppers, pumpkins, red raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes
    562 Randolph Road, Mogadore, OH 44260. Phone: 330-628-3213. Open: June-October, Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm, Saturday from 8am to 3pm, Sunday from 9am to 1pm. Click here for a map and directions. Walnut Drive Gardens Group hayrides and campfires, pumpkin rides for school field trip. is a family owned and operated farm and farm market since 1862 with both pick your own and already picked fruit and vegetables. It is a family friendly farm where children are welcome to pick in the fields. You can pick your own or order fresh produce such as strawberries, summer and fall raspberries, beans, 6 types of peppers, canning and paste tomatoes, and eggplant. In addition during the season our farm market will have our own fresh picked sweet corn, squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, and cabbage. They also do group hayrides and campfires from the end of September to the beginning of November. This is an enjoyable time for church groups, sport groups, birthday parties and reunions. And they have field trips to the strawberry and pumpkin patches for schools, preschools, scout groups.
    Comments from a visitor on June 11, 2011: "Three generations of my family picked our own strawberries today. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. The strawberries are so sweet and delicious!"
    Comments from a visitor on July 02, 2010: "I took my 3 children with me to pick red raspberries and beans today, and the lady who helped us was eager to answer my questions and was polite with the children, even showing the kids how they can break the green beans to help mom out. The produce we brought home are in wonderful shape and taste great! The kids and I had so much fun and we are eager to go back and pick more in the near future."
    Comments from a visitor on May 25, 2009: ".. great produce (U-pick and barn market), great prices, and the multi generational family who runs it that goes out of their way to accommodate families with children."

Stark County

  • Pickin Patch - beans, cukes, tomatoes, okra, pickles, peppers, zucchini squash,
    Route 44, Louisville, OH . Phone: 330-875-9227. Open: Monday-Saturday during picking season, call for hours. Click here for a map and directions. . It is a pick your own vegetables farm
    Comments from a visitor on August 14, 2009: "I have been going there for 30 years. It is wonderful."

Summit County

  • Boughton Farm - Upick Strawberries, Peas, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Peppers, Cabbage, Beans
    2256 Boughton Drive, Akron, OH 44320. Phone: 330-864-6102. Open: early June until the end of October; hours are dependent on the crops and the season; Call or see this page: hours for exact hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. . Usually open 6 days a week. .
    Comments from a visitor on June 30, 2010: "Went to this farm in Summit County to pick peas. The staff put up with us even though it was pouring rain, and provided a hose to clean off our shoes. I don't recommend picking peas in the rain, but they made it an enjoyable and worthwhile visit, especially since we drove almost an hour to get there! I also liked their website, and they were good about answering phone questions. "

 

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Pepper Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

a variety of peppersThere 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.

Pickled Peppers

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.

 


Name Heat Photo Description Best uses
Bell Pepper Sweet red sweet peppers 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 Banana peppers 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 Poblano Pepper 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 Jalopeno 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 Arbol 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)