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Beet U-Pick Orchards in South-central Virginia (Dinwiddie, Meckl. Nottoway..) in 2024, by county

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

Dinwiddie County

  • Jarrett's Produce - beets, tomatoes, blueberries, blackberries, zucchini, squash, watermelon, okra, beans, cantaloupe, and more.
    27317 Reams Drive, Petersburg, VA 23805. Phone: (804) 861-3551. Open: Be sure to call before you go; their Facebook page has not been updated since 2015, I am going to assume they have closed and remove them at the end of the year, If you have any information to the contrary, please write me. Directions: From 85 south take Squirrel Level Road exit, follow Halifax Road south \(toward Richard Bland College\) for about 8 miles. Take a right on 606. There may be a sign \(a printed sign, not from above!\). From 95 south take the Courtland exit, then north on 35, left on 605, 2 miles left again on 605, follow to Halifax Rd and take a right, take a quick left on 606. . Click here for a map and directions. . Cell (407) 579-6719. From 85 south take Squirrel Level Road exit, follow Halifax Road south (toward Richard Bland College) for about 8 miles. Take a right on 606. There may be a sign (a printed sign, not from above!). From 95 south take the Courtland exit, then north on 35, left on 605, 2 miles left again on 605, follow to Halifax Rd and take a right, take a quick left on 606. Click here for a map.
    Comments from a visitor on July 02, 2016: "Jarratt's is great- they have lots of fresh seasonal produce like blueberries, tomatoes, onions, watermelon, peppers, beans, various summer squash (yellow, zucchini, pattypans), etc."
    Comments from a visitor on July 10, 2008: "We visited Jarrett's today after getting the suggestion from this website. We had a great time! It looks small from the road, but you have to ride back to the orchards, vines, or bushes. We picked blueberries and blackberries. Nice people, and clean, family friendly fields with lots of juicey fruit! It was worth the trip!!! I would suggest directions from different points in Virginia. We found it easily using mapquest"

Mecklenburg County

  • Circle H Farms - beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, herbs or spices, lavender, onions, peas, peppers, summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, Fresh eggs
    815 Tabernacle Road, Buffalo Junction, VA 24529. Phone: 434-210-6441. Email: circlehfarms05@yahoo.com. Open: call, email, or see website for hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . . Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at our farm stand located on our farm (April-Nov.) We also sell at various local farmers markets. now growing over 50 different kinds of vegetables and fruits, along with pasture raised pigs and cows, and both meat and egg laying chickens. We work to provide our community with healthful, nutritious food at an affordable price.

 

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Beets Picking Tips, Recipes and InformationBeets

(a.k.a, "Beetroots")

When are fresh beets available?

Beets are a warm weather crop, and seeds won't germinante in cold soil, although once growing, they can handle cold and even light frosts. It takes them about 55 to 70 days from seed to harvest.

 In the U.S. beets typically peak in harvesting from June through October in the South, and in July to September in the North. But they can be ready as early as early June in many places, if the weather is good.

  

Before you leave to go to the farm:

  1. Always call before you go to the farm - it's hard to pick in a muddy field!
  2. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for beets, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
  3. 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 BeetsBeets

Whether you pick beets from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

  1. Harvest beets when they are 1-1/4 to 2 inches in diameter. Small beets have a sweeter taste.
  2. The smaller younger leaves (beet tops) can also be eaten as greens. Some folks steam the leaves and putter butter on them.  Others use the smallest leaves in a fresh salad! The leaves should be 1.5 to 6 inches long.
  3. The beets should be firm not soft or mushy
  4. And red (not yellowish - unless you're picking yellow beets!
  5. Try to avoid beets with bug damage to the beet itself, or animal gnaw marks!
  6. Avoid placing the picked beets in the sunlight 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. I prefer to bring a cooler with ice in it. Beets may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days

  

When you get homeCanned beets

  1. Cut the tops off, leaving about 2 inches of stem attached to the beet to keep the beet from "bleeding".
  2. Put them in the vegetable crisper in the fridge, in a loose plastic bag.
  3. They will be good for about a week like that.

  

Beet recipes and home canning

Now, get ready to can or freeze the extra beets - It is VERY easy! Click on the links for easy instructions.

  1. How to can beets
  2. How to make pickled beets
  3. How to freeze beets 

Beet nutritional facts

  • There are 43 calories in 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of beets.
  • Raw beetroots are 88% water, 10% carbohydrates, 2% protein, and less than 1% fat.
  • Beet tops may be cooked and eaten, as they are an excellent source of vitamin A, iron, and betacarotene.
  • Beets are a great source of fiber, folate, and potassium, which makes them especially good for pregnant women..
  • Beets contain antioxidants, called betalains, carotenoids, and flavonoids, which prevent colon cancer and heart disease.

Weird beet facts

  • The scientific name for beets is Beta vulgaris.
  • Beets are naturally very high in sugar
  • Sugar made from beets took a large chunk of the sugar market away from sugar cane, since beets can be grown almost anywhere.
  • Beet seeds are actually dried beet fruits, like a raison and each containing a half dozen or more seeds! When you plant them, spread them out!
  • Ancient text from 800 B.C. mentioned beets growing in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the wonders of the ancient world.
  • Beet juice has been used as red dye since the 16th century.
  • Thomas Jefferson planted beets at Monticello.
  • Medieval cooks stuffed beets into pies.
  • In the TV show, The Office character, the character Dwight Schrute, owns a beet farm.
  • Some cultures believe that if a man and woman eat from the same beet, they will fall in love.
  • Beets are a traditional food at Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
  • Beets are commonly red, but there are golden beets which are also are sweet, but  do not stain surfaces like red beets do.
  •  Beets are in the same family as Swiss chard.
  • The Victorians dyed their hair with beet juice in 19th century England.
  • Beet juice stains so well, you can dye your Easter eggs pink using cooked beet juice/water and some vinegar
  • Beets should be trimmed or peeled after cooking because the peel holds in the important nutrients.
  • You don't need to buy  "Superbeet" junk pills sold on TV.  Just eat beets, instead!

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)