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

Bean U-Pick Orchards in Triangle 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.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

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Durham County

• Sweet Haven Farm - No pesticides are used, apples, aronia berries, apricots, blackberries, blueberries, sweet cherries, elderberries, figs, Muscadines, grapes, melons, pawpaws, strawberries, asparagus, beans, beets, collard greens, pickling cucumbers, slicing cucumbers, eggplants, lettuce or salad greens, okra, onions, summer squash, winter squash, Heirloom tomatoes, watermelons, Honey from hives on the farm
  4045 Summer Lane, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Phone: (919) 245-0101. Email: tonifesel@gmail.com. Open: By appointment, call or email for an appointment. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Venmo. . Alternate Phone: 919-698-7419 We do not use pesticides on the cropsWe have a variety of fruits and vegetables that vary depending on the season. We also have muscadine wine, jams, and jellies for sale. Call, text or email Toni to find out what's fruiting, blooming, or trending! We'd love to share our produce with you. (ADDED: August 05, 2023)

Franklin County

• DeMilia Research Farm - Uses integrated pest management practices, asparagus, beans, beets, broad beans, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cotton, cucumbers, eggplants, 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. US

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 farmTypical 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.

Johnston County

• Flintstone Farm - beans, broad beans, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplants, 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.
• Middle Creek Farms - broad beans, corn (sweet), peas, summer squash, strawberries,
  1091 Berea Church Road, Four Oaks, NC 27524. Phone: 919-669-5377. Email: groberts06@embarqmail.com. Open: Monday to Saturday 9 am to 6:30 pm April 1 pm to July 31 these dates depend on the actual harvest of the fruit and vegetables. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Alternate Phone: 919-934-6707. Monday to Saturday 9 am to 6:30 pm April 1 pm to July 31 (these dates depend on the actual harvest of the fruit and vegetables)

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

• 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

Wake County

• 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 updatesOur 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)
• Olde Country Produce & Mulch - Beans, Christmas Tree Live, Corn, Pumpkin, Squash, Strawberries
  8824 Poole Road, Knightdale, NC 27545. Phone: (919) 217-0411. Email: kirkfarms@bellsouth.net. Open: Monday to Friday 7 am to 7 pm, Saturday 7 am to 5 pm. Directions: Located 6. Click here for a map and directions. Crop availability: Strawberries - late April-June Corn - May-June Butterbeans, Peas & Squash - June-July Mums & Pumpkins - September-October Christmas Trees - November 25- December 24. Mulch, Crop Compost, Wheat & Pine Straw.5 miles east of I-440 off Poole Road exit 15.
• Porter Farms & Nursery - Willow Springs - Willow Springs - PYO strawberries, Cantaloupe, Corn, Flowers, Pumpkin, Tomatoes, Vegetables, Watermelon, Beans, Cabbage, eggplants, 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.
• The Collard Patch - beans, broad beans, broccoli, corn (sweet), onions, summer squash, strawberries, other vegetables, and prepicked produce
  7012 Pulley Town Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587. Phone: 919-556-5135. Email: thecollardpatch@nc.rr.com. Open: Monday to Saturday 7am to 6pm for vegetables; Sunday Strawberries only 8am to 5pm. Directions: From Raleigh go 401 North to Rolesville. Continue 1 mile through Rolesville turn right on Pulley Town Road. Go 34 of a mile to Second brick home on left. See sign on the left The Collard Patch. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  The Collard Patch Facebook page. . From Raleigh go 401 North to Rolesville. Continue 1 mile through Rolesville turn right on Pulley Town Road. Go 3/4 of a mile to Second brick home on left. See sign on the left Fall Cabbage, Collards and Sweet Potatoes will be ready in late OctoberFacebook pageis a pick-your-own roadside farm market. It is designed to help you obtain the freshest locally grown vegetables in this area. A lot of pride has gone in to growing the finest, tastiest garden vegetables, maintaining all the nutritional benefits.

 

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:

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 beans, 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 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

1. 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.
2. 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. 
3. 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.
4. The beans snap off pretty easily. hence the name "snap beans".
5. 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!
6. Beans are ready for harvest when the pods are plump and firm, but not yet bulging. .
7. In your own garden, pick your beans regularly to encourage more growth and prevent the pods from becoming tough and stringy.
8. 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 :

1. firm
2. green (not yellowish - unless you're picking yellow beans!)
3. 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
4. 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).
5. The beans in the photo at right are, from left:
   - old and yellowing,
   - overripe and lumpy; and
   - dried out and damaged.
6. 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

1. After harvesting, store your beans in the refrigerator or blanch and freeze them for longer storage.
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.

  

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.

1. How to can green beans, yellow beans, snap beans, broad beans, etc.
2. How to make pickled beans
3. How to freeze green beans (and other beans)
4. How to Freeze Lima Beans, Broad beans, Butter Beans and/or Pinto Beans
5. Canning fresh shelled beans
6. Canned dried beans and peas (from kidney beans, peas, lima beans, broadbeans, chickpeas, pole beans, etc.)
7. Canned Baked  Beans With Tomato or Molasses Sauce
8. Canned Baked  Beans With Back, Pork or Ham and Tomato or Molasses Sauce -
9. Pickled green beans
10. Pickled Dill beans
11. Mustard beans (pickled mustard beans)
12. Pickled Three-Bean Salad

Varieties

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

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