2024 Northern Georgia Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Northern Georgia 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 any state, nor even every state, have strawberries 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.

Fannin County

• Mercier Orchards - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), U-pick and already picked, gift shop, restrooms, picnic area, school tours
  8660 Blue Ridge Drive, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. Phone: (706) 632-3411. Email: customer.service@mercier-orchards.com. Open: Weekends - Weather Permitting - Seasonal 10am to 4pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Mercier Orchards Facebook page. . April - Blossom Tours May - Strawberry U-Pick June - Blueberry U-Pick July - Blueberry and Blackberry U-Pick August, September and October - Apple U-Pick. We use integrated pest management practices. Pet are allowed on our Deck and may stroll around the pond. They are not allowed in the Orchard, Market and Restaurant. All U-Pick events are subject to availability and weather. In 2021, Admission is $12 per person (2 and under free)Each person will receive a quart size container to fill with fruit. (UPDATED: February 18, 2020)
  Comments from a visitor on May 15, 2010: "We went to this orchard to pick-your-own strawberries yesterday (5/14/10)and I cannot say enough about how nice they were.. the ladies at the front, the people on the tractor (to and from) and TJ who was out in the field answering everyone's questions. We found it very interesting and educational about what they told us about the farm, it's history and how it's operated. We do not have children, but many others out there did and they seemed to be VERY children friendly. They did allow you to eat strawberries in the field, the only rule given was "Please put at least one berry in the bucket for each one that you eat!" LOL! They still had lots of strawberries ready and you could see more ALMOST ready for picking. But they were being picked relatively quickly so no telling how long they will have more.. there were lots of picking customers coming and going. We had such a wonderful experience we are already planning our next trip for their next crop.. Cherries :)!"

Floyd County

• Lazy Creek Farms - strawberries, U-pick and already picked, farm market, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties, picnic area you may bring your own food, inflatables or bounce houses, jumping pillow, school tours
  29 Yarbrough Bend Road, Rome, GA 30165. Phone: (770) 547-8741. Email: lazycreekfarmsga@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Thursday 10 am to 5 pm, Friday and Saturday 9 am to 5 pm; Hours can vary due to current availability and weather; Please check Facebook, and Instagram for availability; You can also call. Directions: Hwy 27 North in Armuchee, turn right at Old Summerville Road, then left at 4 way stop onto Old Summerville Road. Then turn right on Yarbrough Bend Road and we are on the left. Payment: Cash, Venmo, ApplePay, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Venmo, ApplePay, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Lazy Creek Farms Facebook page. . (ADDED: April 01, 2021)
• LCCL Strawberry Farm - strawberries
  3743 Old Dalton Road, Rome, GA 30165. Phone: 706-295-2587. Email: lccl@comcast.net. Open: Usually Strawberry Season is usually Mid-April thru Mid-June, depending on the weather, Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 6 pm, , Saturday 8:30 am to 5 pm, Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm from mid April to June; in 2021, the 2021 strawberry season looks like they will start the 2 or 3rd week in April. Directions: Call for directions. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Crops are usually available in April, May, June. Homemade strawberry ice cream and jam available, containers provided. Prepicked berries are also available. Remember strawberry season only lasts a few weeks so come while we still have berries!! Come on out and see us and tell your friends!! Thanks and hope to see you at the patch soon!!! Containers are provided by to pick in. If you can bring a container or box to take your berries home in we would greatly appreciate it! I 2021 prices: You Pick : $2.50 per pound$12.50 for 5 pounds - this is equal to a gallonPre-Picked : $4.00 per pound (if available)$20.00 for 5 pounds - this is equal to a gallon(UPDATED: April 5, 2021 JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on May 02, 2011: "Took my kids to LCCL on Saturday, 4/30/2011 and had a blast! The were excellent - there are two large fields for picking your own, and they rotate so there are fresh berries to pick. The quality of the fruit was very good, as I bought some pre-picked as well as what we picked. The kids loved the homemade strawberry ice cream, and the train was an added bonus. The owners mentioned that if the weather stayed good (meaning we continue to have rain each week), they hope to keep the farm open through June. "
• Rocky Hollow Pumpkin Patch - strawberries, pumpkins
  336 Rocky Hollow Rd, Cave Spring, GA 30124. Phone: (706) 676-8769. Email: rockyhollowpumpkinpatch@gmail.com. Open: May, daily from 10 am to 5 pm for strawberries; then October foir pumpkins, Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm. Click here for a map and directions.
  Rocky Hollow Pumpkin Patch Facebook page. . facebook page. (ADDED: June 14, 2022, JBS)

Gordon County

• Payne Farms - beans, cucumbers, eggplant, flowers, melons, peas, peppers, pumpkins, strawberries, tomatoes, daylilies in June; black-eyed peas, okra, cabbage, greens, collards, Honey from hives on the farm, and prepicked produce
  336 Salem Road, Calhoun, GA 30701. Phone: 770-878-2005. Email: Info@paynefarmandproduce.com. Open: Monday to Saturday 8am to 7pm; Sunday 10am to 5pm. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . from the intersection of GA 53 and US Highway 41 in Calhoun, travel south o US 41 bout 2 miles and turn right on Salem Road Market is .2 miles on the left. From Adairsville, travel north o US Highway 41 to Salem Road and turn left Market is .2miles on the left. Some containers available. Several old-fashioned high-flavor varieties. Farmers Market offering locally grown & pick your own produce. Come "Fall Down on Payne Farm" Weekends in October! Fall Activities and Farmer's Market Haunted Hayrides, Pumpkins, Produce, and more!(UPDATED: July 20, 2020 JBS) (UPDATED: May 13, 2013)

Lumpkin County

• DO call before you go - Strawberries, beans, okra, corn, tomatoes and other vegetables
  2650 Highway 19 North, Dahlonega, GA 30533. Phone: 706-867-9794. Open: 8:30 am to 6:30 pm; Mondays to Saturdays; 11 am to 6:00 pm on Sundays. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, only. . Picking containers provided; bring your own take-home containers. (Ed Patton) Note: I've been to this farm in 2009 and years past - they have excellent tasting Chandler strawberries in a picturesque location just 2 miles outside of Dahlonega. But , as visitors below point out, there are no guarantees that they will have what you want or even allow picking on any given day! Blake
  Comments from a visitor on May 22, 2011: "Dahlonega Vegetable Farm Lumpkin County May 2011 Sunday we decided to go strawberry picking and found several ads on the internet for Dahlonega Vegetable Farm. I had read the info on your site so I was sure to call the number they provided to make sure they were open before we left. It was a little difficult to find and after turning around twice we finally came upon it. When we walked in the store the bins were barely filled with strawberries much less any other vegetables. I told the lady at the counter that we wanted to pick our own and she said they were not allowing people to pick today. I countered with but your phone line says that you are "open" today. She replied that the phone line was just for the store and maybe I should come back another day, possibly Wednesday but you never know. I was very irritated because we had come along way. I decided to buy some of their pre-picked berries even though they didn't look that great. To my dismay, once I got them home, most of the ones on the bottom of the gallon bucket I bought were rotten. I won't be back. They are not very customer friendly and it wasn't worth the trip. "
  Comments from a visitor on May 25, 2010: "We have been picking strawberries here for the past 5 years as a nice Spring tradition. We drive 35 miles to get there and normally it is worth it. Today we arrived about noon and they advised us that they had already picked that morning (which they always do) but didn't want anyone picking to let more berries ripen. Their recorded message says they are open for business and the farm hours but nothing about restricted pick-your-own berries. I complained about this never being a problem before, our long trip and no warning on their recording about any restrictions. The girl said she would tell the owner. This is our last visit to this farm with this kind of treatment of customers."
  Comments from a visitor on May 23, 2010: "We drove up to this farm and arrived around noon. The place was pretty empty of people and so we got to start picking without having to worry about waiting in line. They informed us that the Strawberry season started later do to our cold winter and they hope it lasts longer into the year. The plants were pretty empty by the time we arrived, but we were still able to pick about a gallon of berries between the two of us. They are not sure if they will have other veggies/fruits available for sale in the shop this year. Right now all they had was strawberries. They provide buckets to pick in and you can buy the bucket for $1. One bucket of BYO berries was $12. Checks and cash ONLY."
  Comments from a visitor on July 06, 2009: "This listing says to call first, but alas, there is just an answering machine..was there today (Monday, July 6th) at 4:30 pm and the place was closed..Fortunately I was already in the area so it was not a biggie..just very inconsiderate to not answer phones or have updated times on the answering machine. I also agree that the person talking on the answering machine is extremely difficult to understand. And if you go by the address listed, you will not drive far enough down the road..the mailbox is on the South side of the bridge and the market is just north of the bridge. "
  Comments from a visitor on July 03, 2009: "Very Disappointing. This farm listed many kinds of vegetables as well as blackberries, which we were looking for. We tried to call ahead more than once to see if the blackberries were ready, but NEVER got an answer, just a difficult-to-understand recording of a child's voice saying they were open and some of the things they had available. We decided to go anyway, called the morning we went, got the same indistinct voice mail saying they were open. We took the kids hoping for a fun morning of vegetable picking, only to be told when we got there that there was nothing left to pick in the fields, only produce in their market. And they Never had had blackberries in spite of their recently-updated listing on the web. We were very disappointed."
  Comments from a visitor on June 13, 2009: "We went yesterday (6/12/09) to this farm and they still have lots of Strawberries for picking. Beware that there are steep metal stairs that you have to go down to get to the strawberries. The people were friendly and the strawberries are delicious! We picked about 8 quarts of strawberries and it was $15. Our children were able to eat as they picked. The farm is maybe 10 minutes or less from downtown Dahlonega. Bring your own container to take the strawberries home. Also they have great vegetables and other fruits at good prices."

Murray County

• The Strawberry Farm At Ramhurst - strawberries
  2865 Smyrna Ramhurst Rd, Chatsworth, GA 30705. Phone: (706) 270-4518. Email: jaloughridge@aol.com. Open: April, May, to early June. Click here for a map and directions. . Price update for 2022: Pick your own only today $10/gallon (ADDED: June 14, 2022, JBS)

Rabun County

• Osage Farm - Strawberries, tomatoes and choose-and-cut Christmas trees
  5030 Hwy. 441 North, Rabun Gap, GA 30568. Phone: 706-746-6952. Click here for a map and directions. .

Union County

• 7M Family Farms - Strawberries, farm market
  596 Crump Creek Road, Blairsville, GA . Phone: 706-835-1607. Email: dmills706@yahoo.com. Open: Monday - Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday 12pm-4pm. Click here for a map and directions.
  7M Family Farms Facebook page. . Alternate phone: 706-897-1164. . Other crops (already harvested): Tomatoes, Pickles, Squash, Corn. BBQ will also be served Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Facebook page. 7 M Family Farms LLC is family owned and operated growing field vegetables. Corn, tomatoes, peppers, yellow squash, zucchini squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, pickles, Hydroponic strawberries, cluster tomatoes, seedless cucumbers, mini cucumbers,

 

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:

1. 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!
2. Leave early.  On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
    
3. 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.
4. 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

1. Grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.

2. With the stem broken about one-half inch from the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.

3. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. 

4. Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.

5. 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:

1. Be careful that your feet and knees do not damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of the row.
   
2. Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.
   
3. 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.
   
4. 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.
   
5. 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.
   
6. For interesting and fun strawberry facts and trivia from the California Strawberry Commission, click here!

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Now, get ready to make strawberry jam. It is VERY easy - especially with our free strawberry jam instructions - they're illustrated and easy.

Strawberry Recipes, Canning and Freezing Strawberries

• How to freeze strawberries!
• Strawberry jam (with pectin) (uses less sugar or honey and less cooking)
• Strawberry jam (without pectin) (requires much more sugar and cooking)
• Strawberry (and other berry) jams without sugar
• Strawberry jelly
• Strawberry-rhubarb jam!
• Homemade strawberry ice cream (regular, low fat, nonfat, low sugar, vanilla and even gelato)
• Canning strawberries
• Make gourmet chocolate-covered strawberries
• How to make fruit juice -  strawberry and other berries
• Strawberry pie filling
• Strawberry pie
• Easy Rhubarb-Strawberry pie
• Fig-strawberry jam
• Fig-strawberry jam, made with Jello gelatin

Strawberry Facts, Measurements and Tips

• 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.
• Want to grow your own strawberries?  Here's an article about how to: Strawberries are an Excellent Fruit for the Home Garden, HYG-1424-98!
• See this page for many more fun and interesting strawberry facts, nutritional information and trivia

Other weird strawberry facts

• 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

References:

• University of Illinois Extension
• Driscolls
• Ohio State University Extension
• Strawberries-Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent

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