2024 Cleveland, Akron and northeast Ohio Bean U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Bean U-Pick Orchards in Cleveland, Akron and northeast Ohio 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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Ashtabula County

• Tombstone View Farm - Uses natural growing practices, beans, corn (sweet), grapes, peas, peppers, tomatoes, other vegetables,
  5328 South River Road, Harpersfield, OH 44041. Phone: 216-990-8011. Email: Tombstoneviewfarm@gmail.com. Open: End of August through 2nd week of September for concord grapes. Directions: Interstate 90 to exit 534 Geneva. South on 534 1.9 miles turn left on South River Road to 5328 South River Road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Alternate Phone: 440-417-5251 We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic

Lorain County

• Fitch's Farm Market - pumpkins and pick-your-own strawberries, tomatoes, peppers and beans.
  4413 Center Road (State Route 83), Avon, OH 44011. Phone: 440-934-6125. Open: May-October Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 7 pm, Saturday 9:30 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11:30 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. Strawberries (already-picked & U-pick, early June)Beans (already picked & U-pick, mid June), Many Peppers and Tomatoes. We have the below for Pick Your Own: Round Tomatoes, Roma Tomatoes (Plum), Green Bell Peppers, Long Green Italian Roaster Peppers (Sheppard), Medium Hot Peppers, Jalapeno, Habanero, Cayenne, Ghost, Thai Chili Peppers (1/2 peck minimum). Poblano Peppers, Hot Banana Peppers. Each is a half bushel minimum (except ones noted) and like all pick your own, it is weather permitting. If you have further questions, fell free to call (

Portage County

• Walnut Drive Gardens - beans, black raspberries, peppers, pumpkins, red raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes
  562 Randolph Road, Mogadore, OH 44260. Phone: 330-628-3213. Open: June-October, Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm, Saturday from 8am to 3pm, Sunday from 9am to 1pm. Click here for a map and directions. Walnut Drive Gardens Group hayrides and campfires, pumpkin rides for school field trip. is a family owned and operated farm and farm market since 1862 with both pick your own and already picked fruit and vegetables. It is a family friendly farm where children are welcome to pick in the fields. You can pick your own or order fresh produce such as strawberries, summer and fall raspberries, beans, 6 types of peppers, canning and paste tomatoes, and eggplant. In addition during the season our farm market will have our own fresh picked sweet corn, squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, and cabbage. They also do group hayrides and campfires from the end of September to the beginning of November. This is an enjoyable time for church groups, sport groups, birthday parties and reunions. And they have field trips to the strawberry and pumpkin patches for schools, preschools, scout groups.
  Comments from a visitor on June 11, 2011: "Three generations of my family picked our own strawberries today. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. The strawberries are so sweet and delicious!"
  Comments from a visitor on July 02, 2010: "I took my 3 children with me to pick red raspberries and beans today, and the lady who helped us was eager to answer my questions and was polite with the children, even showing the kids how they can break the green beans to help mom out. The produce we brought home are in wonderful shape and taste great! The kids and I had so much fun and we are eager to go back and pick more in the near future."
  Comments from a visitor on May 25, 2009: ".. great produce (U-pick and barn market), great prices, and the multi generational family who runs it that goes out of their way to accommodate families with children."

Stark County

• Pickin Patch - beans, cukes, tomatoes, okra, pickles, peppers, zucchini squash,
  Route 44, Louisville, OH . Phone: 330-875-9227. Open: Monday-Saturday during picking season, call for hours. Click here for a map and directions. It is a pick your own vegetables farm
  Comments from a visitor on August 14, 2009: "I have been going there for 30 years. It is wonderful."

Summit County

• Boughton Farm - Upick Strawberries, Peas, Tomatoes, eggplants, Peppers, Cabbage, Beans
  2256 Boughton Drive, Akron, OH 44320. Phone: 330-864-6102. Open: early June until the end of October; hours are dependent on the crops and the season; Call or see this page: hours for exact hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Usually open 6 days a week. .
  Comments from a visitor on June 30, 2010: "Went to this farm in Summit County to pick peas. The staff put up with us even though it was pouring rain, and provided a hose to clean off our shoes. I don't recommend picking peas in the rain, but they made it an enjoyable and worthwhile visit, especially since we drove almost an hour to get there! I also liked their website, and they were good about answering phone questions. "

 

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