2024 Columbia and surrounding counties in central South Carolina Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Columbia and surrounding counties in central South Carolina 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.

Aiken County

• Gurosik's Berry Plantation - PYO strawberries and ready-picked strawberries, hybrid blackberries, pasteurized berry products, blueberries, asparagus, tomatoes and other seasonal produce.
  345 Briggs road, North Augusta, SC 29860. Phone: 803-278-0594. Email: gurosiks@yahoo.com. Open: from April to July, Farm Market hours: Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 1pm-6pm; Roadside Market hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 9am-6pm. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: cash and checks ONLY. . From 1-20, take SC exit #1 (Highway 230). Travel North (toward Edgefield) for 6 miles to Sportsman Corner store. Turn right on Briggs road. Travel three miles to the farm. Be sure to read their rules! They have strawberries, hybrid blackberries and related products in the Central Savannah River Area. Enjoy friendly, courteous service, gorgeous flowers, the peaceful relaxing rural atmosphere and farm fresh, tasty, top quality vine ripened fruits and vegetables. We do not accept debit or credit cards. Please call our information line prior to your visit as we may occasionally have to close to allow the fields to ripen. The answering machine message is changed daily. (UPDATED: June 16, 2018, JBS)
• I-20 Outlet/Gurosik's Berry Plantation - PYO strawberries and ready- picked strawberries,
  West Martintown Road, North Augusta, SC 29841. Phone: 803-278-0594. Click here for a map and directions. . Also hybrid blackberries, pasteurized berry products, blueberries, asparagus, tomatoes, and other seasonal produce. Early April-June. Conveniently located at Wacky Wayne's Fireworks, at I-20, S.C. Exit # 1, and only 1 minute from the interstate. (UPDATED: June 16, 2018, JBS)

Edgefield County

• Cook's Roadside Market - strawberries
  1224 Augusta Road, Trenton, SC 29847. Phone: 803-275-2970. Email: pam@cooksfarm.com. Open: April-Oct. Click here for a map and directions. Phone. Hwy. 25, 4 miles south of Edgefield.
• Gurosiks Berry Plantation - strawberries, flowers
  345 Briggs Road, North Augusta, SC . Phone: 803-278-0594. Email: strberrplt@aol.com. Open: early April-June. Click here for a map and directions. . . Claims to be the leading berry producer in the Central Savannah River Area. U-PICK and Prepicked strawberries. Also ready picked hybrid blackberries, blueberries, red raspberries, asparagus, tomatoes, seasonal vegetables, pasteurized berry products, gifts and gift baskets, crafts. Modern, enclosed, air conditioned, on farm market with crew to you, direct stock coolers and clean restrooms. Enjoy nature with healthy plants, clean, weed-free fields and plentiful sweet vine ripened fruits.Well-managed picking assures that your row was picked properly previously and has not been picked over since that normal rotation/flagging. Containers are provided - you save $2.00/gallon vs. pre-picked. (UPDATED: May 28, 2018, JBS)

Lancaster County

• Hall Family Farm - strawberries, U-pick and already picked, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, bakery, kettle corn, picnic area, porta-potties, Cell service cell phones work here, face painting, pedal kart track, mining for gems, farm animals, No dogs allowed except for service animals, birthday parties, school tours, group reservations
  445 W. Rebound Rd, Lancaster, SC 29720. Phone: (704) 562-4. Email: info@hallfamilyfarm.com. Open: Spring Season: Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm, from April 1 to early June; Fall Season: Tuesday to Thursday from 9 am to 6 pm, Friday to Saturday from 9 am to 10 pm, and Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm, from late September to October 31. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, All credit cards, AndroidPay, ApplePay.  Hall Family Farm Facebook page. In the Fall,, pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, (UPDATED: March 19, 2024) (ADDED: April 20, 2021, JBS)
• The Ivy Place LLC - strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, U-pick and already picked, restrooms, picnic area, events at your location (call for info)
  8603 Van Wyck Road, Lancaster, SC 29720. Phone: (803) 804-6017. Email: ivyplaceevents@gmail.com. Open: Daily from 9 am to 3 pm, generally from late June into the first or second week of August. Directions: From Interstate 77 in Rock Hyll take highway 5 to-wards Lancaster after crossing the Catawba River take first road on left go approx. 5 miles on Van Wyck Road to arrive at The Ivy Place. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  The Ivy Place LLC Facebook page. . Phone: 704-651-3700. . The Ivy Place grows strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Strawberries have been our most successful crop so far and the season lasts from mid April to early June. To stay updated about our farm visit our facebook page. We grow four major crops: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and tomatoes. The Berry Farm anticipates opening up for pick your own strawberries with limited appointments by mid-April. Strawberries (April/May)Blueberries (June/July) Blackberries (June/July)Heirloom Tomatoes (June- August)Vegetables (UPDATED: April 6, 2021 JBS)

Lexington County

• James R. Sease Farms #2, also called The Patch - strawberries
  3807 Augusta Hwy, Gilbert, SC 29054. Phone: (803) 892-2111. Email: deek@pbtcomm.net. Click here for a map and directions. . from mid-April, Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm Saturday 9 am to 5 pm; closed on Sunday, U-Pick/We-Pick , Call ahead for daily picking & availability. 7.5 miles west of Lexington on Hwy. 1 Also a farm stand with Peaches, mixed vegetables, , yellow squash, zucchini, collards, kale, turnips, mustard greens. April-May : U-Pick or We-Pick . Call ahead for daily picking and availability. June-Mid August: peaches, sweet corn, squash. Large delicious ready for you to pick or to purchase already picked buckets. We will have pre-picked buckets of at our stand, 861 Hwy 378, Lexington, Four Oaks Farm, 4856 Augusta Rd, Lexington and Wingard's Market, 1403 N Lake Dr, Lexington beginning at 10:00 a.m.In 2021, Buckets are $14.00 u-pick and $16.00 pre-picked. Payment cash or Checks, only. (UPDATED: May 03, 2018)
• Peaches 'N' Such #1 - strawberries
  3771 Hwy. 23, Monetta, SC 29105. Phone: 803-685-5838. Open: April through December. Click here for a map and directions. . In addition to fruits and vegetables, the #1 stand stocks sauces, salsa, jam, jellies, breads, honey and gift baskets. We are a true farm to table restaurant owned by the Watson Family of Monetta. We use seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables grown right here on the farm, and represent other local farmers and ranchers on our menu as much as we can. We use sausages from Cone's Meats in Ridge Spring. Our Burgers are Local Angus Beef from Yon Family Farm in Ridge Spring.
• Peaches 'N' Such #2 - strawberries
  2700 Pond Branch Rd, Leesville, SC 29070. Phone: 803-657-6632. Open: April-September for Strawberries, then farm stand. Directions: Located next to the Truck Stop. Click here for a map and directions. . Exit 44 off of I-20, .

Newberry County

• Lever Farms - strawberries,pumpkins, porta-potties are available, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, group reservations
  5057 South Carolina Highway 34, Pomaria, SC 29126. Phone: 803-321-5952. Email: Levers@LeverFarms.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 8 am to 6pm, During Strawberry Season, April to middle of June. Directions: From Interstate 26, Exit 74 \(which is South Carolina Highway 34\). Go East on Highway 34 towards Winnsboro. Lever Farms is located 7.5 miles from Interstate 26 on the Left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, WIC Vouchers. . . From Interstate 26, Exit 74 (which is South Carolina Highway 34). Go East on Highway 34 towards Winnsboro. is located 7.5 miles from Interstate 26 on the Left. Call for availability. Our strawberry season generally runs from April to June. Please come suitably attired for picking strawberries. We suggest appropriate footgear like sneakers, boots, other closed toe, and no heels shoes. Be prepared to walk to where the best picking is in the field. Bring a hat and sunscreen for the sunny days. Strawberries: mid-April through June; and also already picked crops like Blackberries: mid-June through July; Garden Vegetables: June through August. Payment: Cash, only. Spring Vegetables: Cabbage, potatoes, lettuce, collards, onions Summer Fruits: Watermelons and Cantaloupes. (UPDATED: June 16, 2018, JBS)

Orangeburg County

• Arant's Farm Fresh Produce - U-Pick Strawberries
  3645 Charleston Hwy, Orangeburg, SC 29115. Phone: 803-534-1805. Click here for a map and directions. . Hwy. 178, five miles east of Orangeburg.
• Cannon Bridge Road Strawberries - strawberries
  410 Cannon Bridge Road, Orangeburg, SC 29115. Phone: 803-707-0771. Open: April-June; Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm; closed on Sunday. Click here for a map and directions. . U-Pick/ We-Pick . Turn off Hwy. 301 onto Cannon Bridge Road, strawberry patch is 1 mile on right.
• Hinnant Farm  - Strawberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Peaches, Corn, Pumpkins
  205 Hinnant Road, Eutawville, SC 29048. Phone: 803-492-3788. Open: Apr-Aug-Oct, 8 am to 6 PM. Click here for a map and directions. . Strawberries (Apr-Jun) Blackberries, Blueberries, Peaches (June to Aug) U-Pick and We-Pick Sweet Corn & Other Vegetables. 3 miles west of Eutawville on Hwy. 6.
• Livingston Farms - Woodford Produce - Woodford Produce - strawberries, pink eye peas
  3371 Savannah Hwy., North, SC 29112. Phone: 803-568-3165. Open: March-November. Click here for a map and directions. Livingston Farms Phone. Strawberries. Hwy. 321 in middle of Woodford, 3 miles north of North. (UPDATED: June 16, 2018, JBS) (ADDED: April 26, 2010, SCG)
• McCurley Farms - strawberries,
  8840 North Road Corner of North Road and Oak Lane, North, SC 29112. Phone: 803-760-4581. Email: mccurleyfarms@gmail.com. Open: Wednesday and Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Directions: From Columbia travel south on Highway 321. Follow the road to North, SC. At the stoplight in North, turn left. Travel 12 mile. The farms is located on the left side of the road, there is an old wagon in the front yard. Our property does not GPS, we are located at the corner of North Road and Oak Lane. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, SFMNP Vouchers. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, SFMNP Vouchers. . Alternate Phone: 804-662-4958. . Picking updates:Click here for picking updates. From Columbia travel south on Highway 321. Follow the road to North, SC. At the stoplight in North, turn left. Travel 1/2 mile. The farms is located on the left side of the road, there is an old wagon in the front yard. Our property does not GPS, we are located at the corner of North Road and Oak Lane. (UPDATED: April 07, 2016)

Richland County

• Cottle Strawberry Farm - Uses natural growing practices, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available, picnic area, school tours
  2533 Trotter Road, Hopkins, SC 29209. Phone: 803-695-1714. Email: cottlefarms@aol.com. Directions: Approximately 27 minutes from the heart of downtown Columbia,SC. The farm is near Lower Richland High School and across the street from Horrell Hill Elementary School and Southeast Middle School. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Cottle Strawberry Farm Facebook page. . . Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 7 pm; Sunday from 10 am until 6 pm; mid-April through mid-June each year; 2021 Pricing is $13 u Pick, $16 We pick, $5 quart, $9 half gallon. Fresh Sweet Local Strawberries , April and May. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Enjoy the experience of picking your own berries and we don't mind if you sample while you pick! If strawberry picking isn't to your liking, we will do the work for you! Choose from quarts, gallons, and our wide assortment of strawberry products like syrups, breads, and preserves. We also welcome inquiries about the availability of wholesale strawberries. is proud to be part of your family's spring fun! We Love Having You Visit! School Field Trips, Church Groups, Anyone for Any Occasion. (UPDATED: March 20, 2020)

Saluda County

• Bell Farms Strawberry Patch - strawberries
  Hwy 23, Ward, SC 29166. Phone: 803-685-7301. Email: bellfarmsward@hotmail.com. Open: Monday to Saturday 8-6:30 April - June Strawberries please call ahead for daily picking information. Directions: Located on Hwy 23 in Ward, SC, Hwy. #23, 1 mile west of Ward and east of Johnston. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Fax: 803-685-6275. . Monday to Saturday 8-6:30 April - June (please call ahead for daily picking information). Crops are usually available in April, May, June. Children of all ages are welcome to pick !!

Sumter County

• Cottle Strawberry Farm - Uses natural growing practices, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available, picnic area, school tours
  4105 Dubose Siding Rd, Sumter, SC 29153. Phone: ;803-469-3191. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 8 am to 7 pm; Sunday from noon until 6pm; April and May. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Cottle Strawberry Farm Facebook page. . ​cottlesumter@aol.com. Fresh Sweet Local Strawberries , April and May. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic.
• Dorr Farms - blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, melons, onions, summer squash, strawberries, other vegetables, watermelons, Honey from hives on the farm, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food, school tours, group reservations
  5225 Dorr Acres, Gable, SC 29051. Phone: 803-495-2639. Email: dorrfarms@ftc-i.net. Open: April 1 to August 30 from 9 am to 8 pm. Directions: 378 East, Right onto Brewington Road, 1.5 miles, right onto Congruity, go .7ths dirt road on left. For a map to our farm, . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, WIC Vouchers, SFMNP Vouchers. . Strawberries April to June Blackberries June to July Blueberries May to August. We also sell hives of bees and lots of other produce such as Blackberries, Blueberries, Peaches, Watermelon, Plums, Squash, Zuchini, Okra, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Pototoes, Peppers, String beans, Butterbeans, Carrots, Collard Greens, and Corn.(ADDED: January 28, 2017)

 

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