Looking for a local, pick-your-own farm in Desoto and Hardee counties, west Florida? Farms are open and safe! Scroll down this page and you will see the U-Pick farms in Desoto and Hardee counties, west Florida, sorted by county. Those that offer organic or sustainably grown produce are identified by the words "organic" and/or "sustainable" in Green, next to their name (see "What does Organic mean?"). The U-pick crops they offer follow the name of the farm. To search the page for a specific crop, use Ctrl-F (or on an ipad or Mac, use their "search on this page" function) If they have a website, the name will be in blue and underlined; click on it and it will open their website. If you find anything outdated or inaccurate, see the customer and farmer menus (as appropriate) at the top menu bar to submit updates and corrections and help me keep each current!
New! Pricing information - I am building a pricing guide to help you know what the typical prices are for each crop.
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! And if you know of any farms I missed and want to add a farm, please let me know! I'm making updates for this year as fast as I can - if you find anything out-of-date, wrong or not working - please let me know! This website is supported by purchases you make through the links to products on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This allows me to continue to maintain the website and make improvements!
What's in season in August 2020, and other timely information:
Notes for August 2020: Summer is almost here! Strawberry season is finished in all but the far northern ands cooler areas. Blueberries, blackberries are in season in most areas, also tomatoes, peaches and most vegetables . Check your area's copy calendar (see this page) and call your local farms for seasonal updates.
Now, more than ever, going to a farm, being outside, away from crowds, getting fresh, local produce, makes more sense than ever before! It's a fun, safe
and educational to pick some fresh berries, fruit and veggies and more, then come back here to learn how to freeze, can, make jam, salsa and much more!
Of course, check with the farm before you go, both to check on crop availability and hours. We also have a
state-by-state guide to Farm COVID-19 requirements here.
See our comprehensive list of easy home canning, jam and jelly making, preserving, drying and freezing directions. You can access recipes and other resources from the drop down menus at the top of the page or the site search. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to write me! It is easy to make your own ice cream, even gelato, or low fat or low sugar ice cream - see this page. Also note, there are many copycat website listing U-pick farms now, using similar sounding names. They have all copied their information from here and usually do not ever update. Since 2002, I've been updating the information every day but Christmas; so if you see anything wrong or outdated, please write me!
Canners, both waterbath canners and pressure canners, are getting hard to find as people are doing more home canning than ever before. You can still get them online (see links at left) but prices are going up as the less expensive models are selling out. Food dehydration is becoming a popular and inexpensive alternative; see this page about drying your own fruits and vegetables and where to get a food dryer.
Children's Consignment Sales occur in both the Spring and Fall See our companion website to find a local community or church kid's consignment sale!
See these pages to find a local Strawberry Festival, or a Cherry or cherry blossom festival or a Blueberry festival. Some may still be held in 2020.
Desoto and Hardee counties, west Florida U-Pick Farms and Orchards in 2020, by county
Click on the resources drop-down above, if you need a county map
Note about strawberries in Florida: There are a few strawberry u-pick farms in Florida open during the entire season, which lasts from December through April). Most commercial farms do not open their fields to the general public until the end of the season, which is usually in April (depending on the weather).NOTE: The exit numbers on the Interstates have changed, but we have no way of knowing what the new correct exit numbers are until the farmers correct their listings; so be sure to ask when you call the farms!
- Florida's fruit and vegetable festivals
- Florida citrus harvest calendar (when to go pick oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes)
- Other crop availability / harvest schedule - click here
- Farm markets, roadside stands,
- Local meat, milk, eggs, local honey, horse riding, farm B&B's etc.
Desoto County
-
A.L.L. Blueberries, LLC - blueberries, porta-potties are
available
3151 Sw Gator Trail, Arcadia, FL 34266. Phone: (863) 993-3686. Alternate Phone: (863) 990-1739. Email: allblueberries2012@yahoo.com. Open: During the off - season, we open our field as the blueberries are become ready; Please see our Facebook page for more details; Our regular harvest time is mid - April through the end of May. Directions: Hwy 72 to Gator Trail. Two miles to field on right. For a map to our farm, click here. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard. (UPDATED: February 18, 2017) (UPDATED: October 05, 2016) (UPDATED: May 30, 2016)(UPDATED: April 28, 2016) (ADDED: April 26, 2015) - Circle C Farm - blueberries,
880 North Johnson Ave, Arcadia, FL 34266. Phone: 239-908-8589. Alternate Phone: 239-248-9254. Email: karenknotek@att.net. Open: 8am till 4pm, Monday thru Sunday, mid-May for 1 week only. Directions: cross street highway 17 and west Gibson, Arcadia FL. For a map to our farm, click here. Payment: Cash, only. (UPDATED: May 27, 2016) (ADDED: May 14, 2016) -
English Lake Farm- blueberries, grapefruit, oranges, other
citrus, peaches, mangos, avocados, permissions, already-picked produce
7288 South West Lime Drive, Ft. Ogden, FL 34267. Phone: 863-990-6164. Alternate Phone: 863-494-0911. Email: Englishlakefarm@aol.com. Open: Monday to Thursday, from 9am to 5pm; Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 8am to 5pm. Directions: Call for detailed directions to the farm. Off of Highway 17, halfway between Punta Gorda and Arcadia. For a map to our farm, click here. Blueberries are available March 15th until June. Payment: Cash, Check. It looks like this year's crop will be a great one and the peaches are also on the way to getting ripe. Come on out while the weather is still not too hot. We're looking forward to seeing all our old friends and to making a lot more! We also have a limited supply of raw Orange Blossom Honey as well as a selection of jams and jellies. We have for U-Pick: Peaches - May, June; Blueberries - April, May, June; Persimmons - July, August; Citrus - November, December, Jan., Feb; Honeybells, Meyer Lemons,Ruby Red Grapefruit, Tangerines, Tangelos; Avocados - July, August. (UPDATED: May 2, 2017, JBS)
Comments from a visitor on September 16, 2010: "I went there this summer on several occasions and even brought along a gaggle of friends, to pick the most delicious and BIG blueberries!! Farmer Walter and his lovely wife are still there. Additional veggies available in smaller quantities, just call and ask. SPOKE WITH WALTER TODAY: The next crop will be CITRUS (HONEYBELLS, MYER LEMONS, ETC) starting Dec.2010. Walter also grows lots of fun things like apples, watermelons, avocado, persimmon, peaches and sells trees too, during the season. Very close to Punta Gorda / Pt Charlotte. " -
Ryder Berries, LLC - blueberries, U-pick and already picked
2490 Sw Gator Trail, Arcadia, FL 34266. Phone: (863) 990-7671. Alternate Phone: (863) 990-1586. Fax: 9412967877. Email: ryderberries@comcast.net. Open: Saturday and Sunday, from 8 am to 8 pm beginning May 6, 2017 until the end of the season. Directions: From Arcadia: Highway 72 W to Horse Creek Bridge. Turn left on Gator Trail and go 1 1/2 miles to 2490 SW Gator Trail, Arcadia, FL. From Pt. Charlotte: Kings Highway to highway 72, turn left, then turn left on Gator Trail and go 1 1/2 miles to 2490 SW Gator Trail, Arcadia. From Sarasota: Highway 72 (Clarke Road) to three miles inside Desoto County Line. Just before Horse Creek bridge, turn right on Gator Trail and go 1 1/2 miles to 2490 SW Gator Trail, Arcadia.Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. (UPDATED: May 02, 2017) (ADDED: May 05, 2016) - Sandhill Citrus - U-Pick Citrus Grove
6014 County Road 760, Arcadia, FL 34266. Phone: 863-780-4302. Does anyone have more information or current status? If so, please write me!
Hardee County
-
Center Hill Farm - peas, strawberries,
2949 Center Hill Road, Bowling Green, FL 33834. Phone: 863-781-6900. Alternate Phone: 863-781-6901. Email: centerhillstrawberry@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 6 pm. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Picking strawberries until the end of March. Payment: Cash, only. Center Hill Farm U-Pick offers a wide variety of produce throughout the year, featuring u-pick strawberries during the winter months. (UPDATED: May 4, 2017, JBS) - Jack Green Farms - blueberries
1250 Broadus Williams Road, Zolfo Springs, FL 33890. Phone: (863) 375-4901 Click here for a map to our farm. Crops are usually available in May. Open: Monday to Sunday, 7 am to 7 pm Payment: Cash, Check. (UPDATED: April 20, 2015, JBSFDACS) - Gardner Farm - strawberries, tomatoes, other
vegetables,
160 Fish Branch Road, Gardner , FL 33890. Phone: 863-781-5273. Email: gardnerfarm@yahoo.com. Open: Call before you come; Tuesday thru Saturday 10:00 am to 5:30 pm; Closed Sunday and Monday, and on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years day. Directions: 10 miles south of Zolfo Springs, 9 miles north of arcadia, on highway 17. Crops are usually available in January, February, March, April, May, June, November, December. Strawberries, vegetables and citrus available November 1 thru June 1, blueberries April, May, June; grapes not available till 2010 and wine in 2012. Payment: Cash, only. oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, lemons available November through May. EZ-pick will be available starting in 2010. Tropical and Landscaping plants now available, and strawberry plants. (UPDATED: April 20, 2015, JBSFDACS)
For availability of other non pyo crops (berries, vegetables, etc.) in Florida, click here!
Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)
The Presto Pressure
canners are out
of stock, but Tfal's
are available!
Above is the
2020 version of
the Ball Blue Book