2024 Southwestern Louisiana Tomato U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Tomato U-Pick Orchards in Southwestern Louisiana in 2024, by county

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

Evangeline Parish

• Point Blue Farm LLC - No pesticides are used, blackberries, blueberries, cucumbers, figs, herbs or spices, other citrus, pecans , tomatoes, other vegetables, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, picnic area you may bring your own food, farm animals, school tours
  125 Prairie Rhonde Road, Ville Platte, LA 70586. Phone: 337-363-2499. Email: pointbluefarm@gmail.com. Open: All non - rainy days; Our roadside stand is always open, please call before coming for a tour with your kids or just a picnic on the grounds. Directions: GPS highway 104 & highway 29 We are on the corner. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. There is not much to offer except picnics and cow petting during the months of late January until around May Feel free to call us or check us out on Facebook for all current offers as well. We do not use pesticides on the crops. Pecans, Satsumas, Honey, Figs, Oak Trees, Wild berries, Naval Oranges, Hybrid Lemons. Figs Come Out in July! Satsumas Come Out in November! Honey Available Year Round! We have many fruit and nut bearing trees and are doing all we can to produce the best out them! And try our Jellies, Jams, Marmalade, Honey, Dehydrated Trail Mixes, and so much more. (UPDATED: February 21, 2016) (ADDED: July 15, 2015)

Vernon Parish

• Anderson Farms - Uses natural growing practices, figs, melons, pecans , pumpkins, tomatoes, other vegetables, and prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  400 Slagle Road, Leesville, LA 71446. Phone: 337-208-7107. Email: andersonfarmspumpkinpatch@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Friday 3pm to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 2pm to 6pm. Directions: We are located 1.5 miles east from the intersection of Hwy 171 and Hwy 468. Also may see mapquest. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Anderson Farms Facebook page. . Fax: 337-239-0066. . Crops are usually available in June, July, October, November. Open for pumpkin picking and tractor-driven hayrides from the last weekend of September through the last weekend of October. Watermelons from July through August. Spring vegetables start in May and end in August. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic.We enjoy having field trips, friends, and families visit the farm each year. We strive to make everyone feel right at home and we hope you do on your visit! We have all sorts of pumpkins, activities, and photo spots that will inspire your fall spirit♡Anderson Farms Facebook page.

 

Tomato Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Pick tomatoes that are firm and free of blemishes. Cracking is common in very hot weather, especially after a rain, and if you intend to use the tomatoes within 1 day, that will be ok.

During hot summer weather, pick the tomatoes when they have a healthy pink/red (or yellow or orange depending on the variety) color and let them finish the last day or two of ripening indoors. Tomatoes do not need to be in the sunlight in order to ripen. If you have green fruit on the plants in the fall when frost is approaching, pick the tomatoes and store them in a cool, dark place to ripen.

Tomato Varieties

In general paste or Roma-type tomatoes are the best to using for canning, as they have thicker, meatier walls and far less water. And cherry tomatoes are the worst to use, as they are mostly water.  But you can use any type you can get hold of.  You may just have to cook them down longer to boil off excess water.  See our Master list of tomato varieties

Growing tomatoes

• Master list of tomato varieties
• Master List of Heirloom Tomato Varieties
• How to Grow Tomatoes in Your Yard or Patio - Everything you need to know
• Detailed directions to starting tomatoes from seed
• Master List of Roma and Paste Tomato Varieties for the Home Garden
• Master list of disease-resistant tomato varieties
• Tomato plant diseases

Canning, Freezing, Drying, Preserving Tomatoes and more!

Below are links to pages with easy and reliable directions about how to can, preserve, freeze and make other goodies from tomatoes.  Some of these require a Pressure Canner to prevent potential spoilage and food poisoning, due to the low acid content of the food.  For others, you can use a water bath canner OR a Pressure Canner.  I've noted what's required for each, below, following each entry, with
W for water bath,
P for Pressure canner, and
W, P for either may be used!

And don't miss: Answers to common tomato canning problems and see this page about what to do with your unripe green tomatoes!

Prepping tomatoes

• How to quickly and easily remove tomato skins

Canning tomatoes (in water bath canners )

• How to can tomatoes using a water bath canner - W
• Diced, chopped or crushed tomatoes - W
• Bruschetta - W
• Tomato sauce - W
• Tomato paste - W
• Barbecue sauce (BBQ sauce) - W
• Chili sauce from your own tomatoes and peppers - W
• Diced, chopped or crushed tomatoes - W
• Tomato Preserves- W
• Tomato salsa - W
• Spaghetti sauce - without meat - W, P
• Spiced Green tomatoes- W
• Pickled Green Tomatoes - W - another pickled green tomato recipe, this one sweet
• Ketchup.. or if you prefer... How to make catsup - W, P
• NEW! SUPER-EASY homemade ketchup recipe - W
• Salsa from your unripe, GREEN tomatoes! - W
• Tomatillo salsa - W
• How to make roasted tomatoes, boiling water bath canner version - W

Canning Tomatoes in Pressure canners

• Canned tomatoes using a Pressure Canner - P
• Baked  Beans With Tomato or Molasses Sauce - P
• Canning your own chili con carne (with meat) - P
• How to make roasted tomatoes, pressure canner version - P
• Spaghetti sauce - with meat  - P
• Stewed tomatoes - P
• Tomato soup or tomato-basil soup - P
• Tomato sauce - P
• Tomato juice - P
• Tomato juice, like V8 - P

Freezing Tomatoes

• How to freeze tomatoes from you garden or the farm; for that fresh taste this winter!
• Space-saving prepping and freezing extra tomatoes from your garden to can later

Drying tomatoes

• NEW! How to make Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Food drying basics and principles
• How to dry your own herbs
• Food Dehydrators - models, specs and pricing information

Ripening green tomatoes in your garage or basement

If you want to bring your green tomatoes indoors before a freeze in the Fall, and ripen them, see:

• How to ripen your green garden tomatoes indoors in the Fall and Winter.

And if you'd like to start you own tomatoes from seed (you can save a small fortune and grow the heirloom varieties you like) see this page for easy directions for growing your own tomato plants from seed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Canning, Freezing and Preserving Tomatoes

• See this page for answers to many common questions about tomatoes.

 

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