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

Corn U-Pick Orchards in Triangle area of North Carolina in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for corn that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have corn 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.

Franklin County

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

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 farm. Typical 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.
• Wright's Farm - Strawberries, Cantaloupe, Corn, Tomatoes
  8506 Buck Hart Road, Oxford, NC 27565. Phone: (919) 693-7667. Open: Sunday-Saturday; May-September Call for hours & availability. Directions: Located at 1700 Oak Hill Road take Hwy 96 north of Oxford, turn right on Oak Hill Road, go 2 miles and farm on right. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (919) 693-1018Sunday-Saturday; May-September (Call for hours & availability.). Crop availability: Strawberries - May Tomatoes - July-September Sweet Corn - late June Cantaloupes - early July.

Johnston County

• Flintstone Farm - beans, broad beans, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, 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

• Almost-A-Farm - blackberries, raspberries, corn, perhaps even other pyo crops, too
  5385 Autry Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27803. Phone: (252) 451-0334. Open: Please call for availability. Directions: Located between Halifax Road and Old Carriage Road.They offer many . Click here for a map and directions. . crops, and seem to be willing to allow pyo for many. Ask! They also grow Cabbage, Collards, Cucumbers, Grapes, Greens, Honey, Muscadine, Squash, Vegetables, berries, grapes, honey, beeswax, eggs & heirloom beans(white half runner and greasy cut short). And they have honeybee demonstrations. (ADDED: May 04, 2010, phone call)
• 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 .
• McGhee's Mill Produce - Strawberries, Cabbage, Corn, Potatoes, Tomatoes
  9550 McGhee\'s Mill Road, Semora, NC 27343. Phone: (336) 597-2973. Open: Sunday, Friday, Saturday 8 am to 6 pm. Directions: Located on 9550 McGhee\'s Mill Road, Semora, NC. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (336) 599-0878. Located on 9550 McGhee's Mill Road, Semora, NC. Crop availability: Strawberries, Tomatoes, Snaps, Cabbage, Potatoes & Sweet Corn - May-July.

Wake County

• 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.
• Pope's Strawberries - Corn, Strawberries, Tomatoes
  1007 Fayetteville Street, Knightdale, NC 27545. Phone: (919) 266-3767. Email: pope1956@aol.com. Open: Sunday 1pm-7 pm, Monday to Saturday 8 am to 8 pm. Click here for a map and directions. 26">Pope's Strawberries . Go 64 East of Raleigh to Knightdale Crossing and follow signs. Crop availability: Strawberries - April-June Corn - July Tomatoes - June-August.
• Porter Farms & Nursery - Willow Springs - Willow Springs - PYO strawberries, Cantaloupe, Corn, Flowers, Pumpkin, Tomatoes, Vegetables, Watermelon, Beans, Cabbage, Eggplant, 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.
• Riversedge Ranch - corn (sweet), cucumbers, muscadine grapes, melons, peas, peppers, summer squash, tomatoes, U-pick and already picked
  3816 Doyle Road, Zebulon, NC 27597. Phone: 919-269-6312. Email: howardgdoyle@bellsoutrh.net. Open: By telephone appointment customers can be serviced during daylight hours Monday through through Saturday; Without appointments, 3 pm to 6 pm Thursday through Saturday;Season terminates around October first; depending on the weather and produce availability. Directions: From Zebulon take 96 North \(about 4 miles\) to Fowler Road. Turn left onto Fowler Road and go about 12 mile to Doyle Road. Turn right onto Doyle Road and farm is at the second house on the right \(3816 Doyle Road\). . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Fax: 919 269 6711. howardgdoyle@bellsouth.net. From Zebulon take 96 North (about 4 miles) to Fowler Road. Turn left onto Fowler Road and go about 1/2 mile to Doyle Road. Turn right onto Doyle Road and farm is at the second house on the right (3816 Doyle Road).
• 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 October. Facebook page. is 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.

 

 

Choosing and Picking Corn

Corn reaches it's peak sweetness and flavor when the kernels are full, and just touching each other, like a good set of teeth!  They should not be bloated and smushed so tightly that there is no space left at all. The bloated overripe ears will have a bland, starchy taste.

Here's what to look for:

• The tips of the silks coming out of the ear should be a light brown.
•  If you break a kernel with your fingernail, the liquid should be slightly milky in color.
•  The ears should be filled out and have developed good girth but not bloated.

Harvesting

 To harvest, snap off the ears by hand with a quick, firm, downward push; then twist and pull.
 Avoid twisting or yanking the ears, as this can damage the stalk or the ear itself.

Storing the corn

Corn is at its prime eating quality on the stalk for only 72 hours before becoming over mature. The most important factor is cooling it as soon as possible after harvesting it.  Get it into the fridge or cover it with ice! Many farmers say you should remove the shucks right away, too.  I've found that removing most of the shuck, but leaving a few leaves to cover each ear is best to prevent the kernels from drying out.  See this page for more about storing corn before using it.

Cooking:

The worst mistake people make is overcooking corn.  In fact, corn isn't really cooked; it's just heated up. If you cook it form more than a few minutes (3 minutes), then you are simply breaking down the sugars and turning a nice, crisp sweet ear into bland mush. It's not a pot roast; the purpose of heating it is NOT to break down the cells, just to heat them to bring out the flavor and melt the butter!

Here's how to cook the corn:

1. Fill a large pot (large enough so the shucked ears can fit inside, laying down) about 2/3 full of water and start bring it to a boil
2. Shuck the ears, and snap off the stalk end and the very tip of ear (especially if you will use "corn stickers" , (handles) to hold the ears.
3. When everyone is sitting down at the table and you are serving the rest of the meal, put the corn in the boiling water and set the time for 3 minutes.
4. After 3 minutes, using tongs, retrieve the ears and serve them with butter (Corn boats are wonderful for corn!

 

Freezing Corn

You can easily freeze the sweet corn and have that great taste in the dead of winter! 

• Freezing whole ears of corn on the cob
• Freezing corn, cut off the cob

Canning Corn

This too, is easy... but it DOES require a Pressure Canner.  You cannot safely do this with a water bath canner.  Food poisoning is no joke!

• Here is how to can corn!
•  how to make canned creamed corn.
• Southern Chow-Chow (also called Piccalilli)
• Pickled corn relish

Other corn recipes

• How to make sweet corn ice cream
• Corn bread, or sweet corn muffins (like Chi Chi's)

• Corn fritters (a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast

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