2024 Southeastern Virginia, Virginia Beach Bean U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Bean U-Pick Orchards in Southeastern Virginia, Virginia Beach 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 any state, nor even every 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.

Virginia Beach City

• Henley Farm and Henley Farm Market - Strawberries, blackberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, kale, potatoes, beans, pumpkins, collards, Christmas trees.
  3513 Charity Neck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456. Phone: (757) 426-7501. Email: barbarahenley@cox.net. Open: see their website for current hours. Directions: East on Indian River Road to Muddy Creek Road. Turn left, go 14 mile, turn right on Charity Neck Road. Farm 1 mile. 7 am to 7 pm, daily, spring and summer; 9 am to 5 pm, daily fall and winter. All of our small fruits \(strawberries, blackberries, etc.\) and vegetables \(cabbage, broccoli, pumpkins, etc.\) are available on a "Pick Your Own" basis. Remember to bring your own buckets!Pick your own at our farm or buy already picked at our market in downtown Pungo. Hayrides, too! For over fifty years, Henley Farm has been providing fresh \'pick-your-own\' fruits and vegetables at fair prices in the Pungo section of Virginia Beach, VA. Henley Farm is truly a family farm, not only for our family but also for the many families who have enjoyed the farm. Many of our customers were children when they visited Henley Farm with their parents, and now bring their children to enjoy the experience of picking their own berries and vegetables. FamilyAt the farm, located at 3484 Charity Neck Road, you can \'pick your own\' fruits and vegetables, or even select your own . Click here for a map and directions. Henley Farm and Henley Farm Market Phone: ; FAX (757) 426-0072. . East on Indian River Road to Muddy Creek Road. Turn left, go 1/4 mile, turn right on Charity Neck Road. Farm 1 mile. 7 am to 7 pm, daily, spring and summer; 9 am to 5 pm, daily fall and winter. All of our small fruits (strawberries, blackberries, etc.) and vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, pumpkins, etc.) are available on a "Pick Your Own" basis. Remember to bring your own buckets!Pick your own at our farm or buy already picked at our market in downtown Pungo. Hayrides, too! For over fifty years, Henley Farm has been providing fresh 'pick-your-own' fruits and vegetables at fair prices in the Pungo section of Virginia Beach, VA. Henley Farm is truly a family farm, not only for our family but also for the many families who have enjoyed the farm. Many of our customers were children when they visited Henley Farm with their parents, and now bring their children to enjoy the experience of picking their own berries and vegetables. FamilyAt the farm, located at 3484 Charity Neck Road, you can 'pick your own' fruits and vegetables, or even select your own Christmas tree. We also have a farm market located on the farm, so you have the option of picking your own or buying your fruits and vegetables already picked.
  Comments from a visitor on July 09, 2011: "Tons of huge, sweet, thornless black berries. Corn, oh yeah! Good times, good people."
  Comments from a visitor on June 26, 2011: ""This place also has u-pick broccoli, cabbage, May peas, Romaine lettuce too. Great place, couldn't say enough about them and the availability of picking
  Comments from a visitor on May 10, 2009: "I have been going to Henleys for 20 years and it is a family run farm and they are all very friendly and caring and if you ever get the opportunity to meet any of them you will know what I mean especially the older Mrs. Henley very sweet old lady just like her husband not saying that Stormy isnt sweet but Mrs Henley has a few years on her.LOL. Make sure you go all the way down to the farm and not just to the farm stand Not saying the farm stand isnt good but the extra mile is well worth the trip for the harvest. All year long if they have a growing season for something they have it growing. Hours are always subject to change to call first. They take most form of payment including credit cards. They have portajohns for those emergency stops. In the fall they have a hayride to the pumpkin patch and on mother's day they have hanging flowers at reasonable prices for gifts. You can also buy some bedding plants or veggie plants for your own garden. "

Chesapeake City

• Mount Pleasant Farms - beans, blackberries, cucumbers, eggplant, peaches, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, Fresh eggs, gift shop, porta-potties, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  2201 Mount Pleasant Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322. Phone: (757) 482-0739. Email: info@mountpleasantfarms.com. Open: U - pick Season: Monday through Saturday 8 am to 6 pm, Sundays 8 am to 5 pm; Fall: Monday through Saturday 10 am to 6 pm, Sundays 12 pm to 5 pm; Off Season: Wednesdays 3 pm to 6 pm, Fridays 10 am to 6 pm, Saturdays 10 am to 5 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Mount Pleasant Farms Facebook page. . We use integrated pest management practices (IPM). (UPDATED: May 17, 2018) A visitor writes on May 24, 2013: "You can feed the chickens. there is talk of having soap making classes. The people are friendly and their apples are great. PEACH season is almost here! "

Surry County

• Old McConnell's Farm - beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, flowers, herbs or spices, onions, peppers, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, watermelons, Turkeys (organic, not-hormone-fed), Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs
  822 Golden Hill Rd, Elberon, VA 23846. Phone: (757) 814-4186. Email: oldmcconnellsfarm.com@gmail.com. Open: UPDATE for 2021, Their website and Facebook page are gone, so I assume they have closed permanently. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Old McConnell's Farm Facebook page. . . If you know anything for sure, please write me.

 

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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