2024 Triangle area of North Carolina Tomato U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Tomato U-Pick Orchards in Triangle area of North Carolina 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.

Franklin County

• DeMilia Research Farm - Uses integrated pest management practices, asparagus, beans, beets, broad beans, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cotton, cucumbers, eggplant, herbs or spices, melons, onions, peas, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables,
  295 Pine Ridge Rd, Zebulon, NC 27597. Phone: (919) 522-1567. Email: info@demiliaresearchfarm.com. Open: hours, days and dates. Directions: Located just south of Bunn, NC on Rte 39 at the intersection of Johnson Town Road and Pine Ridge Road Follow the \runway\" lights down the long rock driveway. 295 Pine Ridge Rd". Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  DeMilia Research Farm Facebook page. Zebulon

Granville County

• Lyon Farms - Beans, Blackberry, Blueberries, Cantaloupe, Corn, Greens, Onions, Potatoes, pumpkins, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Vegetables
  1544 Munns Rd, Creedmoor, NC 27522. Phone: 919-528-3263. Email: lyonfarmsveggies@gmail.com. Open: April 13th - May 29th Mon-Fri 8am to 8pm, Sat, 8 am to 6 pm, Sun 1pm to 6pmSummer hours are May 30th - August 13th Mon-Sat 9 am to 6 pm, Closed Sunday. Directions: From Durham take I-85 north take Exit 186-A go 2 miles. From Raleigh take Hwy 50 north, follow signs. From Oxford take I-85 south, go left to Hwy 15 turn right, follow signs. U-pick pumpkins, corn maze and hay rides October 1-31 Saturday-Sunday 10-6. Monday-Friday for field trips by appointment. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Lyon Farms Facebook page. . Open click here for a map to the farm. Typical harvest dates: Strawberries & Sweet Onions - April-June Cabbage, Beets & Greens - April-May New Potatoes - May-June Beans, Blackberries, Blueberries, Corn, Cantaloupe, Tomatoes & Okra - June-July Watermelon - July-August Fig - August-September. Facebook page.
• Wright's Farm - Strawberries, Cantaloupe, Corn, Tomatoes
  8506 Buck Hart Road, Oxford, NC 27565. Phone: (919) 693-7667. Open: Sunday-Saturday; May-September Call for hours & availability. Directions: Located at 1700 Oak Hill Road take Hwy 96 north of Oxford, turn right on Oak Hill Road, go 2 miles and farm on right. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (919) 693-1018Sunday-Saturday; May-September (Call for hours & availability.). Crop availability: Strawberries - May Tomatoes - July-September Sweet Corn - late June Cantaloupes - early July.

Johnston County

• Flintstone Farm - beans, broad beans, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, flowers, grapes, herbs or spices, melons, onions, peas, peppers, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  460-C Watston Road, Selma, NC 27576. Phone: 919-284-1100. Email: flintstone_farm@yahoo.com. Open: every day; Just call. Directions: We are located Behind North Johnston High School in Micro, NC Just a mile or two from Hiway 301 Between Micro and Kenly . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Crops are usually available in March through November. We strive to be available every Friday.

Nash County

• Wrenn's Farm - Strawberries, Beans, Cantaloupe, Corn, Cucumber, Greenhouse Tomatoes, Greenhouse Vegetables, Asparagus, Cabbage, Onions, Squash, Tomatoes, Watermelon
  5078 Brantley Road, Zebulon, NC 27597. Phone: (919) 269-9781. Email: wrennsfarm@gmail.com. Open: Sunday noon-6 pm, Monday to Saturday 8 am to 8 pm; April 15 thru August 15. Directions: Located 4 miles east of Zebulon between Old Hwy 264 & Hwy 97 on Brantley Road. Crop availability: Strawberries & Asparagus - April-May Tomatoes & Cucumbers - April-June Onions & Cabbage - May-June Squash - June Corn - July Cantaloupes, Butterbean \(picked & shelled\) & Watermelon - July-August. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Wrenn's Farm Facebook page. . Phone: (919) 306-2735. . Located 4 miles east of Zebulon between Old Hwy 264 & Hwy 97 on Brantley Road. Crop availability: Strawberries & Asparagus - April-May Tomatoes & Cucumbers - April-June Onions & Cabbage - May-June Squash - June Corn - July Cantaloupes, Butterbean (picked & shelled) & Watermelon - July-August. Facebook page.

Person County

• Brooks Farms - Broccoli, Cabbage, Flowers, Pumpkin, Strawberries, Tomatoes
  545 Tom Oakley Road, Timberlake, NC 27583. Phone: (336) 364-2114. Open: Sunday 1 pm to 8 pm, Monday to Saturday 7 am to 8 pm; late April-October. Directions: Located in Timberlake. From Durham on 501 North about 17 miles and watch for signs. From Roxboro, go Hwy 501 South 8 miles and watch for signs. From Hillsborough take Hwy 57 North and watch for signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Brooks Farms Phone: Crop availability: Strawberries - April-June Broccoli & Cabbage - May-June Tomatoes - April-August Mums & Pumpkins - September-October.
• Carver Farm Nursery - strawberries, beans, beets, blackberries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, flowers, melons, onions, peas, peppers, pumpkins, tomatoes,
  105 Carver Farm Rd, Roxboro, NC 27573. Phone: 336 599 4901. Email: carverfarmnursery@charter.net. Open: Monday to Friday from 7 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 7 am to 12 pm; closed on Sunday. Directions: Highway 501 North outside of Roxboro, NC towards South Boston, VA. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. Carver Farm Nursery .
• Fifth Row Farm - Strawberries, Tomatoes
  3825 Morton Pullium Road, Roxboro, NC 27573. Phone: (336) 599-4835. Open: Sunday to Saturday 7 am to 8 pm; May-October. Directions: From Roxboro go 3.5 miles north on Hwy 57 turn right on Morton Pullium Road and go 3.8 miles farm on left. Signs will be posted. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (336) 597-8521 Crop availability: Strawberries & Tomatoes.
• Flat River Nursery - Cabbage, Cucumber, Eggplant, Flowers, Greenhouse Tomatoes, Greenhouse Vegetables, Peppers, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes
  1548 Holeman-Ashley Road, Timberlake, NC 27583. Phone: (336) 364-2460. Open: Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm, Sunday strawberries only-call for hours; April-October. Directions: Take US 501 North from Durham to Timberlake. Turn left onto Holeman Ashley Road, go approximately 2 miles to 3rd road on right \(Holeman Ashley Road\). Turn right and go 1.5 miles, farm on right. Greenhouse visible from road. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Flat River Nursery Facebook page. . Take US 501 North from Durham to Timberlake. Turn left onto Holeman Ashley Road, go approximately 2 miles to 3rd road on right (Holeman Ashley Road). Turn right and go 1.5 miles, farm on right. Greenhouse visible from road. Crop availability: Strawberries, Cabbage & Squash - April-June Tomatoes, Peppers & Eggplant - June-frost Greenhouse Tomatoes & Cucumbers - mid March-October Bedding Plants, Hanging Baskets & Ferns - April-June Large Mums & Pansies - September 1-October 31. Ferns, bedding plants, hanging baskets, mums & Pansies September to October.
• McGhee's Mill Produce - Strawberries, Cabbage, Corn, Potatoes, Tomatoes
  9550 McGhee\'s Mill Road, Semora, NC 27343. Phone: (336) 597-2973. Open: Sunday, Friday, Saturday 8 am to 6 pm. Directions: Located on 9550 McGhee\'s Mill Road, Semora, NC. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (336) 599-0878. Located on 9550 McGhee's Mill Road, Semora, NC. Crop availability: Strawberries, Tomatoes, Snaps, Cabbage, Potatoes & Sweet Corn - May-July.

Wake County

• Hunt's Strawberries - Cantaloupe, Potatoes, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Watermelon
  4505 Watkins Road, Raleigh, NC 27616. Phone: (919) 266-1619. Open: Sunday noon-7 pm, Monday to Saturday 8 am to 8 pm. Directions: Located 401 north of Raleigh turn right onto Mitchell Mill go approximately 1. Click here for a map and directions. Hunt's Strawberries .5 miles turn right onto Watkins Road. Farm is one mile on left. Crop availability: Strawberries, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Tomatoes & Potatoes - April-June.
• Neighbor Boy Farm and Country Store - Uses natural growing practices, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), beans, you-dig carrots, cucumbers, lettuce or salad greens, onions, hot peppers, sweet peppers, summer squash, Heirloom tomatoes, paste or Roma tomatoes, tomatoes, other vegetables, Other vegetables, sunflowers, flowers, Basil, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food
  1008 Davis Drive, Apex, NC 27523. Phone: (919) 637-9894. Email: val@neighborboyinc.com. Open: Check Facebook and our website for our hours, which vary seasonally. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Neighbor Boy Farm and Country Store Facebook page. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Our pick-your-own season starts mid-June;. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. Additional pick your own: large variety of seasonal flowers and wildflowers, spinach. Pumpkins and Christmas Trees available during the season. (UPDATED: April 30, 2022) (ADDED: July 12, 2021)
• Pope's Strawberries - Corn, Strawberries, Tomatoes
  1007 Fayetteville Street, Knightdale, NC 27545. Phone: (919) 266-3767. Email: pope1956@aol.com. Open: Sunday 1pm-7 pm, Monday to Saturday 8 am to 8 pm. Click here for a map and directions. 26">Pope's Strawberries . Go 64 East of Raleigh to Knightdale Crossing and follow signs. Crop availability: Strawberries - April-June Corn - July Tomatoes - June-August.
• Porter Farms & Nursery - Willow Springs - Willow Springs - PYO strawberries, Cantaloupe, Corn, Flowers, Pumpkin, Tomatoes, Vegetables, Watermelon, Beans, Cabbage, Eggplant, Gourds, Peppers, Potatoes, Squash, Zucchini, Cut Flowers, Mums
  3504 NC Highway 42, Willow Springs, NC 27592. Phone: 919-567-0504. Email: getfresh@porterfarmsandnursery.com. Open: Saturday 8:30am to 6 pm, Sunday 12 pm to 6 pm, Monday to Friday 9 am to 7 pm. Directions: Located on Highway 42, south of Raleigh. From Raleigh take I-40 east, Take Exit 312 and take a right toward Fuquay-Varina. We are 6 miles down Hwy 42 on Left. . Click here for a map and directions. . Map to Porter farms. In addition to pick your own strawberries, also have all manner of vegetables available in season which they have grown themselves, as well as homemade ice cream. The farm is family owned and operated, very friendly folks, nice clean vegetable stand.
• Riversedge Ranch - corn (sweet), cucumbers, muscadine grapes, melons, peas, peppers, summer squash, tomatoes, U-pick and already picked
  3816 Doyle Road, Zebulon, NC 27597. Phone: 919-269-6312. Email: howardgdoyle@bellsoutrh.net. Open: By telephone appointment customers can be serviced during daylight hours Monday through through Saturday; Without appointments, 3 pm to 6 pm Thursday through Saturday;Season terminates around October first; depending on the weather and produce availability. Directions: From Zebulon take 96 North \(about 4 miles\) to Fowler Road. Turn left onto Fowler Road and go about 12 mile to Doyle Road. Turn right onto Doyle Road and farm is at the second house on the right \(3816 Doyle Road\). . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Fax: 919 269 6711. howardgdoyle@bellsouth.net. From Zebulon take 96 North (about 4 miles) to Fowler Road. Turn left onto Fowler Road and go about 1/2 mile to Doyle Road. Turn right onto Doyle Road and farm is at the second house on the right (3816 Doyle Road).

 

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