2024 Southern Piedmont area of North Carolina Bean U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org
Find a pick-your-own farm near you! Then learn to can and freeze! Since 2002! We update continuously; Beware the copycat websites!
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Bean U-Pick Orchards in Southern Piedmont area of North Carolina in 2024, by county
Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for beans that we know of in this area.
Not all areas of a state have beans 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.
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Harnett County
Farmer's Strawberries & Produce - Beans, Cabbage, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Onions, Potatoes 209 Holder Road, Lillington, NC 27546. Phone: (910) 893-6076. Open: Sunday-Saturday Call for hours & availability. Directions: Located 4 miles west of Lillington on Hwy 27. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (910) 893-3623Sunday-Saturday (Call for hours & availability.). Crop availability: Strawberries - April-May Squash - April Onions, Snaps, Tomatoes, Potatoes & Cabbage - April-June.
Lee County
Gary Thomas Farms - Asparagus, Beans, Blackberry, Corn, Cucumber, Greenhouse Tomatoes, Greenhouse Vegetables, Jellies, Jams, Onions, Strawberries 443 Thomas Road, Sanford, NC 27330. Phone: (919) 258-3035. Open: Sunday 1 pm to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday 7 am to 7 pm. Directions: Located off Hwy 42 East towards Broadway, go one mile turn left on Rice Toad at East Lee Middle School, one half mile on right is Thomas Road, one half mile on left is Gary Thomas Strawberries. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (919) 258-3262 Crop availability: Strawberries, Sweet Onions, Greenhouse Tomatoes & Cucumbers - mid April-June Asparagus - late April-mid May Green Beans & Sweet Corn - June-early July Blackberries - June-July. Homemade jam & jelly. website.
Gross Farms, LLC - asparagus, beans, corn (sweet), cucumbers, melons, onions, peas, peaches, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, strawberries, other vegetables, Honey from hives on the farm, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, school tours 1606 Pickett Road, Sanford, NC 27332. Phone: 919-498-6727. Email: info@grossfarms.com. Open: Mid - Late April - End of July on Monday - Saturday from 7:30am to 6 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm. Directions: Gross Farms is conveniently located 4 miles south of Sanford, NC on NC 87. From Raleigh: Take US 1 south to Sanford. Take NC 87 South for approximately 8 miles. Turn left onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 12 mile on the left. From Sanford: Take NC 87 South for approximately 4 miles. Turn left onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 12 mile on the left. From Fayetteville: Take NC 87 North for approximately 25 miles. Turn right onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 12 mile on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard. Gross Farms, LLC Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 919-499-4522Fax: 919-498-6731 Gross Farms is conveniently located 4 miles south of Sanford, NC on NC 87. From Raleigh: Take US 1 south to Sanford. Take NC 87 South for approximately 8 miles. Turn left onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 1/2 mile on the left. From Sanford: Take NC 87 South for approximately 4 miles. Turn left onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 1/2 mile on the left. From Fayetteville: Take NC 87 North for approximately 25 miles. Turn right onto Pickett Road. The farm is located 1/2 mile on the leftStrawberries: Mid-late April to end of May Asparagus: late April and May Sweet Corn: late June and July Pumpkins: late September and October Comments from a visitor on September 21, 2012: "Loved it. Great for military families (they offer discount!) and the little ones really enjoyed picking their own pumpkin and the playground!"
Moore County
Frank's Strawberries, Sweet Corn & Vegetable Barn - Beans, Cabbage, Corn, Potatoes, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Vegetables 444 Bryant Road, Carthage, NC 28327. Phone: (910) 947-5775. Open: Sunday and Saturday from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm. Click here for a map and directions. Strawberries - April 16-June 20 Cabbage - April 16-May 15 Beets - June 15-July 15 Squash - May 15-Oct 1 Sweet Corn, Butterbeans, Green beans, Okra & Peas June-Oct 1 Melons - June 15-September 10 Tomatoes & Potatoes - June 15-October 1Located 6 miles east of Carthage on Hwy 15/501 to Tony Gas & Grocery Store, turn on Bryant Road 1/2 mile to strawberry barn and parking lot (UPDATED: June 15, 2019, JBS)
Richmond County
Wilson's Strawberries - Beans, Cantaloupe, Corn, Strawberries, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Watermelon 303 Gold Leaf Farm Road, Ellerbe, NC 28338. Phone: (910) 652-5604. Open: Sunday to Saturday 7 am to 7 pm. Directions: Located on Hwy 1003, 6 miles north of Hoffman, 2 miles south of Derby on Sycamore Lane 2 miles from Derby. . Click here for a map and directions. Crop availability: Strawberries - April-June Watermelon & Cantaloupes - July-August Sweet Corn, Green Beans & Butterbeans - June-July Field Peas - June-September Okra & Tomatoes - July-September Sweet Potatoes - October-March
Green Bean, Lima Bean, Shelled Beans Picking Tips, Recipes and Information
When are fresh beans available?
Beans are a warm weather crop, and won't grow much in cold soil. It takes them about 60 to 70 days from seed to
harvest.
In the U.S. beans 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:
Always call before you go to the farm - it's hard to pick in a muddy field!
Most growers furnish picking containers designed for beans, but they
may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to
bring containers.
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 Beans
Whether you pick
beans from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here
are a few tips to keep in mind.
Tips on How to Pick Green Beans
Most beans these days are "stringless". That refers to a string, tough
filament of the bean that runs along the outside from one end to the other.
Some beans have two, one on each side; and some have one.
I prefer to
snap the bean off the plant just below where the stem attaches to the bean.
If you do this, it will save time when you get home, because one end of the
bean has already been trimmed. But this only makes sense if you will be
using, cooking, canning or freezing the beans that day.
If you won't be using the beans the same day, then break off the bean
from the plant along the thin stem that connects the bean to the plant.
The beans snap off pretty easily. hence the name "snap beans".
Pole beans are the easiest to pick, because, since they grow up poles or
twine, you don't have to squat down or bend over!
Beans are ready for harvest when the pods are plump and firm, but not yet bulging. .
In your own garden, pick your beans regularly to encourage more growth and prevent the pods from becoming tough and stringy.
To harvest, hold the stem of the plant with one hand and gently snap the pod with the other..
Look for string, snap or green beans that are :
firm
green (not yellowish - unless you're picking yellow beans!)
smooth, not wrinkly on the surface - that's an old or dried out bean. Snap beans are best when the pods are firm and snap readily, but before the seeds
within the pod develop. The tips should be pliable
not lumpy - those lumps are the beans that are developed - that's an
overripe green bean! Of course, if you want mature beans (not including the
pod) then that's a different story, but we're talking about green beans
here).
The beans in the photo at right are, from left:
- old and yellowing,
- overripe and lumpy; and
- dried out and damaged.
Avoid placing the picked beans 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. Green
Beans may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days
When you get home
After harvesting, store your beans in the refrigerator or blanch and freeze them for longer storage.
Put them in the vegetable crisper in the fridge, in a loose plastic bag.
They will be good for about a week like that.
Bean recipes and home canning
Now, get ready to can or freeze the extra beans - It is VERY easy!
Click on the links for easy instructions.
There are many different types of beans, each with their own unique flavor, texture, and growing requirements. Some of the most popular varieties
include:
Green Beans: Also known as snap beans or string beans, green beans are a classic garden staple. They can be eaten fresh or cooked and
come in bush and pole varieties.
Lima Beans: Lima beans (called Broad Beans or Butter Beans in the UK) are a nutritious and protein-rich vegetable that can be eaten
fresh or dried. They require a long growing season and prefer warm temperatures.
Pole Beans: Pole beans are a climbing variety of bean that require support to grow. They can reach up to 10 feet tall and have a
longer growing season than bush beans.
Dried Beans: Dried beans are a versatile pantry staple that can be used in soups, stews, and other dishes. Popular varieties include
black beans, navy beans, kidney beans, black beans, garbanzo (aka, chick peas) and pinto beans
s, navy beans, kidney beans, black beans, garbanzo (aka, chick peas) and pinto beans