Manatee County, west Florida U-Pick Farms - 2018 PickYourOwn.org

Find a pick-your-own farm near you! Then learn to can and freeze! Since 2002! We update continuously; Beware the copycat websites!

Find a local pick your own farm here!

Looking for a local, pick-your-own farm in Manatee County, west Florida?  Scroll down this page and you will see the U-Pick farms in Manatee County, 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. Beware of copycat websites (such as the one that starts with "Eatwell", "pickit" and the ones that ends with ".farm"; they do not verify or update their information, they just steal it from us once in a great while (they are plagiarists operating in Russia and China, as well as some 20-somethings trying to make a quick buck), so theirs are always out-of-date -and often copied incorrectly. Since 2002, I make updates daily (each farm as changes are reported, or I find it). See the customer and farmer menus at the top menu bar to submit updates and corrections and help me keep each current!

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   I'm making updates for 2018 as fast as I can - if you find anything out-of-date, wrong or not working - please let me know!

What's in season in September 2018, and other timely information:

Notes for September 2018: Summer is here and that means Strawberry season is finishing and blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and peaches are starting. Tomatoes, corn and other vegetables should be starting, too. Check your area's copy calendar (see this page) and call your local farms for seasonal updates.

See these pages to find a local Strawberry Festival, Peach festival or a Blueberry festival. We have a guide to peach varieties here. Also recipes, canning and freezing directions for strawberries, blueberries, peaches, tomatoes, corn etc.

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.  They have all copied their information form 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!

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!

Manatee County, west Florida U-Pick Farms and Orchards in 2018, 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!

Manatee County

  • BellaBlue Berry Farm - blueberries, Honey from hives on the farm, porta-potties are available
    43405 State Road 64 East, Myakka Head, FL 34251. Phone: 727-364-4899. Email: [email protected]. Open: Saturday and Sunday, from 9am until 7pm; Weekdays can be available if they do not conflict with our commercial harvest; Please call and inquire. Directions: From Bradenton we are located on State Road 64 East about 25 minutes from Interstate 75. From central Florida we are about the same distance on State Road 64 West from Zolfo Springs. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa/MasterCard. Click here for our Facebook page. 2015 Update: Our blueberry season usually begins about the third week of March and continues until the end of May, or until all the fruit is harvested. This year the fruit is developing early so follow us on Facebook for updates. Generally there will be plenty of fruit available since there are thousands of plants, however we suggest that you call ahead. We use an integrated pest management system and do not apply chemical pesticides to our fruit. Please visit our website and like us on Facebook. See you at the farm!.
  • Hunsader U-Pick Farms - vegetables, Pumpkins, strawberries
    5500 C.R. 675, Bradenton, Florida. Phone: 941-322-2168. Open Mid- September through mid-June. U-pick hotline (941)331-1212 -Cantaloupes, watermelons, corn, acorn squash, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, butternut squash. Others: broccoli (December 1-April 1), Cabbage (December 1-April 1), Canteloupes (September 15-December 1, April 15-June 15), Cauliflower (December 1-April 1), Citrus (November 1-April 1), Cucumbers (September 15-December 1, April 15-June 15), FL. Sweet onions (December 1-June 1), Gourds (September 15-November25), Hard squash (September 15-December 1, April 15-June 15), Peppers (October 20-December 10, May 1-June 15), Pumpkins (September 20-November 25), Sweet corn (September 15-December 1, April 15-June 15), Tomatoes (October 20-December 10, May 1-June 15), Watermelons (September 15-December 1, April 15-June 15), Strawberries (December 15-May 1)
  • Hydro-Taste - blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, Fresh eggs, concessions / refreshment stand, restrooms, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, group reservations
    7308 Verna Bethany Road, Myakka City , FL 34251. Phone: (941) 322-0429. Alternate Phone: 941 929 3243. Email: [email protected]. Open: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Directions: From 75 east off of 70 11.4 miles to Verna Bethany Road. Turn Left on Verna Bethany Road travel miles. Hydro-Taste on Left. Fresh Strawberries from October 31 to July 15. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. Click here for our Facebook page. We are a U-Pick Farm that grows Hydroponically. No Bending, No kneeling, No dirt. All Produce is pure and Natural. We specialize in Strawberries. (UPDATED: December 18, 2016)
    Comments from a visitor on August 07, 2012: "2 words....Very Disappointing, I called and looked on line, we were looking forward to picking our own fruit, We were looking for pineapples and blue berries when we called they said they were ready to be picked. We drove 2 hours and when we got there we walked in and were asked if we were there for sandwiches? Uh NO, then said we wanted to pick we were then told "oh well we don't have any thing to pick, but have some in the market" We did get a pineapple but nothing else was there we wanted. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!"
  • O'Brien Family Farms - Uses natural growing practices, broccoli, carrots, strawberries, other vegetables, Fresh eggs, gift shop, concessions / refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, school tours
    16505 State Road 64 East, Bradenton, FL 34212. Phone: (941) 896-4811. Email: [email protected]. Open: Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, Saturday from 9am to 4pm, Sunday from 10am to 3pm, Closed Monday and Tuesday. Directions: O'Brien Family Farms is located on State Road 64 East in Bradenton, Florida. If you're coming from I-75, get off on exit 220, head East on State Road 64 East for approximately 6.5 miles. O'Brien Family Farms will be located on the North side of State Road 64. Click here for a map and directions. O'Brien Family Farms is open seasonally from November to May. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard, Discover. Click here for our Facebook page. O'Brien Family Farms dedicates a 1/2 acre for hydroponically grown fruits and vegetables that are available for u-pick. O'Brien Family Farms also has 5 acres of row crops grown next to the farm stand that are picked fresh daily for the stand. O'Brien Family Farms u-pick operation is open to the public every day that the farm stand is open. Our u-pick operation consists of 29 rows of hydroponic stacks, which is equivalent to approximately 2,500+ stacks, 14,000+ pots and over 56,000 plants! In our hydroponically grown u-pick area, the public can pick their own strawberries, cauliflower, cheddar cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cabbage, celery, red & green leaf lettuces, carrots, radishes and more based on availability. We also grow bell peppers and tomatoes hydroponically in our green houses. O'Brien Family Farms row crop acreage consists of yellow squash, Florida sweet onions, golden zucchini, zucchini, melons, cucumbers, sunflowers, eggplant, tomatoes and specialty peppers such as cubanelles, poblanos, jalapenos, banana peppers and more. Our row crops are hand-picked daily and sold in the produce section of the O'Brien Family Farms farm standO'Brien Family Farms also has refreshments such as fresh fruit smoothies, strawberry shortcake, ice cream, milkshakes, and more. We also offer limited lunch items such as BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs and black bean soup.  
  • Old Mission Vineyards - Grapes
    19600 SR 64 East, Bradenton, FL 34212. Phone: 941-746-6334. Open Monday thru Saturday, 9:00am to 6:00 pm, Beginning July 24th. 8 miles east of I-75 on south side of SR 64, Nobles and Carlos $1.00/LB, We have grapevines for sale.
  • Plesscher Groves - grapefruit, lemons, oranges, other citrus, tangerines, Other fruit or veg, Honey from hives on the farm, U-pick and already picked
    3350 Co. Road 675 E, Bradenton, FL 34211. Phone: 941-322-2030. Open: Valencia Oranges are currently available; The Groves are open December 5th to April 1st annually, 7 days a week from 9 am to 5 pm. Directions: From Tampa: Follow I-75 S. Take exit 220 for FL-64 E s. Turn left onto FL-64 E. Turn right onto Co Road 675/Waterbury Road The groves will be on your Right. From Sarasota: Follow I-75 N. Take exit 220A for FL-64 E. Turn right onto FL-64 E. Turn right onto Co Road 675/Waterbury Road The groves will be on your Right. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. We also sell firewood.  
  • Rosa Fiorelli Winery - muscadine grapes, gift shop, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
    4250 County Road 675, Bradenton, FL 34211. Phone: 941-322-0976. Fax: 941-322-8208. Email: [email protected]. Open: The winery is open year round everyday except Tuesdays; The fields are open for u-pick in August, call ahead for exact dates. Directions: When traveling North down I-75 take the exit for SR 64. Head East on SR64 for approximately 12 miles. Turn right on County Road 675. Look for flags in front of our driveway, winery is on the right. When traveling South on I-75 take the exit for SR70. Head East on SR70 for approximately 12 miles. Turn left on County Road 675. Look for flags in front of our driveway, winery is on the left. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. Click here for our Facebook page. 

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)