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Tomato U-Pick Orchards in Knoxville Area of Tennessee 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 a state have tomatoes farms 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.

Grainger County

  • Bull Farm - Beans, Cucumbers, Onions, Peppers, Tomatoes
    4728 Hwy 11-W South, Bean Station, TN 37708. Phone: (865) 767-2423. Open: call for hours and availability. Click here for a map and directions. From Bean Station off of 25 toward Rutledge on Hwy 11-W about 2 miles on the left. If you get to Rutledge, you have gone too far. (ADDED: June 26, 2018, JBS)

Knox County

  • King's Hydrofarm - beans, blackberries, peas, peppers, raspberries (Spring, black), summer squash, tomatoes, Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked
    3238 Tipton Station Road, Knoxville, TN 37920. Phone: 865-660-9656. Email: jim@kingshydrofarm.com. Open: hours, days and dates. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . UPDATE for 2021, Their website is gone; and their Facebook page hasn't been updated in years. 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 Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 8 am to 4. Click here for current open Hydroponics.

Loudon County

  • Richesin Family Farm - blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, aronia berries, watermelons (seeded and seedless), cantaloupes, tomatoes, okra, beans, lettuce, corn, peppers, onions, peas, greens and pumpkins.
    6305 River Road, Loudon, TN 37774. Phone: (865) 680-3520. Email: cerichesin@gmail.com. Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate phone: 865-680-0377 . These fruits and vegetables will be offered as pick your own, farm stand sells and special orders. Please contact our family farm before driving long distances to make sure the produce of your choice is available. Thank you and may God bless you(ADDED: May 09, 2015, JBS)

 

Tomatoes

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. Varieties of tomatoes

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

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

Canning tomatoes (in water bath canners )Home canned tomato soup

Canning Tomatoes in Pressure canners

Freezing Tomatoes

Drying tomatoes

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:

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

 

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