2024 Southwestern Missouri Tomato U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Tomato U-Pick Orchards in Southwestern Missouri in 2024, by county

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

Lawrence County

• Roaseau Farm - Uses natural growing practices, beans, cucumbers, summer squash, tomatoes, walnuts, Fresh eggs
  20381 Lawrence 2070, Ash Grove, MO 65604. Phone: 417-491-4891. Open: Call before coming out!. Directions: Springfield, MO Go west to highway 96. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Crops are usually available in April through October. We are like any farm, something is always going on, so call before coming out. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. )
• Rocky Top Berry Farm - No pesticides are used, blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, Fresh eggs, picnic area
  23286 Lawrence 1140, Verona, MO 65769. Phone: 417-498-6574. Email: rockytopbb@gmail.com. Open: Daylight to early afternoon, late afternoon to dusk. Directions: Halfway between Monett and Aurora on Highway 60, farm road 1140. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Rocky Top Berry Farm Facebook page. . . Mid May to Mid July; come early for best picking, we open at daylight. We do not use pesticides on the crops. We are not certified organic, but our goal is to provide the best picking opportunity and biggest, most delicious berries with as few chemicals as possible. We do not use any sprays or chemicals on the berries. Natural pest and weed control methods are employed as much as possible. ) Facebook page.
  Comments from a visitor on June 12, 2009: "I just love going to, the prices are very reasonable, the people are very friendly and they have great plants and blueberries! Thank-you!"

Stone County

• Blackberry Lane Gardens - CERTIFIED ORGANIC, blackberries, broccoli, cucumbers, herbs or spices, peas, peppers, tomatoes, other vegetables,
  1172 Blackberry Lane, Crane, MO 65633. Phone: 417-818-8264. Email: Admin@blackberrylanegardens.com. Open: For produce: April 1st thru October 31st For Flowers and Ornamentals: April 1st thru October 1st. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. 94Blackberry Lane Gardens Alternate Phone: 417-818-8520. Fax: 417-723-8271. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. To be announced on website. We are certified organic for all crops!

Taney County

• Tri-Lakes Orchards - blackberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, farm animals
  15920 US Highway 160, Forsyth, MO 65653. Phone: 417-546-2850. Email: trilakesorchards@yahoo.com. Open: By appointment only. Directions: Across from court house in Taney County Missouri. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Tri-Lakes Orchards Alternate Phone: 417-230-3188. Fax: 417-546-2856. . Purple Hull Peas, 17 Varieties of Tomatoes (Specialty types not available at other fruit stands or other regional sources), Potatoes, shell beans, okra.

Texas County

• Goods From The Woods - ORGANIC, herbs or spices, persimmons, plums, summer squash, tomatoes, walnuts, Other fruit or veg,
  14125 Hwy C, Licking, MO 65542. Phone: 573-674-4567. Email: wildcrop@wildcrop.com. Open: Monday through Saturday 7am to 4 pm We are certified organic for all crops! Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard. Directions: Near HWY 63 and CC between Rolla, Licking, Salem and Ft. Leonard Wood. Call for information . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard. . . click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in June, July, August. Native botanicals, wild teas, herbal products, aromatherapy items, essential oils (all farm produced). Fresh herbs and some vegs. Lots and lots of u pick persimmons and wild plum all certified wild organic.
• Solaris Valhalla CSA Farm and Educational Center - Uses natural growing practices, cucumbers, eggplant, flowers, herbs or spices, persimmons, pumpkins, raspberries, summer squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, walnuts, Other fruit or veg, prepicked produce, farm market
  14996 highway U, Cabool, MO 65689. Phone: -1527. Email: solarisvalhalla@hotmail.com. Open: UPDATE for 2021, Their website is gone; Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me, their last reported hours were See our website for current hours. Directions: Located 6 miles outside of Cabool Missouri on highway U. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Pumpkin Patch is open October 1st - October 30th Haunted Trail is open from 8 pm to 10 pm October 15th - October 31st. Solaris Valhalla is . Head towards Houston from Cabool, go approximately 2 miles on highway 63, you will cross 2 bridges. After the second bridge you will see highway U on your right. Turn right, and follow highway U approximately 3 miles and look for a driveway on your right with pink ribbons on poles on either side of the driveway, this is the road to Solaris Valhalla. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. Solaris Valhalla offers free, and low cost workshops on such topics as: Solar Energy, Water Harvesting, Homesteading, and more.

 

Tomato Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Pick tomatoes that are firm and free of blemishes. Cracking is common in very hot weather, especially after a rain, and if you intend to use the tomatoes within 1 day, that will be ok.

During hot summer weather, pick the tomatoes when they have a healthy pink/red (or yellow or orange depending on the variety) color and let them finish the last day or two of ripening indoors. Tomatoes do not need to be in the sunlight in order to ripen. If you have green fruit on the plants in the fall when frost is approaching, pick the tomatoes and store them in a cool, dark place to ripen.

Tomato Varieties

In general paste or Roma-type tomatoes are the best to using for canning, as they have thicker, meatier walls and far less water. And cherry tomatoes are the worst to use, as they are mostly water.  But you can use any type you can get hold of.  You may just have to cook them down longer to boil off excess water.  See our Master list of tomato varieties

Growing tomatoes

• Master list of tomato varieties
• Master List of Heirloom Tomato Varieties
• How to Grow Tomatoes in Your Yard or Patio - Everything you need to know
• Detailed directions to starting tomatoes from seed
• Master List of Roma and Paste Tomato Varieties for the Home Garden
• Master list of disease-resistant tomato varieties
• Tomato plant diseases

Canning, Freezing, Drying, Preserving Tomatoes and more!

Below are links to pages with easy and reliable directions about how to can, preserve, freeze and make other goodies from tomatoes.  Some of these require a Pressure Canner to prevent potential spoilage and food poisoning, due to the low acid content of the food.  For others, you can use a water bath canner OR a Pressure Canner.  I've noted what's required for each, below, following each entry, with
W for water bath,
P for Pressure canner, and
W, P for either may be used!

And don't miss: Answers to common tomato canning problems and see this page about what to do with your unripe green tomatoes!

Prepping tomatoes

• How to quickly and easily remove tomato skins

Canning tomatoes (in water bath canners )

• How to can tomatoes using a water bath canner - W
• Diced, chopped or crushed tomatoes - W
• Bruschetta - W
• Tomato sauce - W
• Tomato paste - W
• Barbecue sauce (BBQ sauce) - W
• Chili sauce from your own tomatoes and peppers - W
• Diced, chopped or crushed tomatoes - W
• Tomato Preserves- W
• Tomato salsa - W
• Spaghetti sauce - without meat - W, P
• Spiced Green tomatoes- W
• Pickled Green Tomatoes - W - another pickled green tomato recipe, this one sweet
• Ketchup.. or if you prefer... How to make catsup - W, P
• NEW! SUPER-EASY homemade ketchup recipe - W
• Salsa from your unripe, GREEN tomatoes! - W
• Tomatillo salsa - W
• How to make roasted tomatoes, boiling water bath canner version - W

Canning Tomatoes in Pressure canners

• Canned tomatoes using a Pressure Canner - P
• Baked  Beans With Tomato or Molasses Sauce - P
• Canning your own chili con carne (with meat) - P
• How to make roasted tomatoes, pressure canner version - P
• Spaghetti sauce - with meat  - P
• Stewed tomatoes - P
• Tomato soup or tomato-basil soup - P
• Tomato sauce - P
• Tomato juice - P
• Tomato juice, like V8 - P

Freezing Tomatoes

• How to freeze tomatoes from you garden or the farm; for that fresh taste this winter!
• Space-saving prepping and freezing extra tomatoes from your garden to can later

Drying tomatoes

• NEW! How to make Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Food drying basics and principles
• How to dry your own herbs
• Food Dehydrators - models, specs and pricing information

Ripening green tomatoes in your garage or basement

If you want to bring your green tomatoes indoors before a freeze in the Fall, and ripen them, see:

• How to ripen your green garden tomatoes indoors in the Fall and Winter.

And if you'd like to start you own tomatoes from seed (you can save a small fortune and grow the heirloom varieties you like) see this page for easy directions for growing your own tomato plants from seed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Canning, Freezing and Preserving Tomatoes

• See this page for answers to many common questions about tomatoes.

 

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